Festival showcases 'very best of community'

A North Tyneside charity has raised thousands of pounds for local services after attracting more than 1000 people to a community festival celebrating grassroots talent and family entertainment.

YMCA North Tyneside's Picnic in the Park returned to Northumberland Square in North Shields on Saturday, raising more than £3000 to support its youth work, housing and wellbeing services.

The free event featured a packed programme of live music, creative workshops, food traders and family activities, bringing together residents from across the region.

Performances came from a range of North East artists and groups, including Joe Bartley, Yellow Pages, Kody Walker, Helena Lily & Corey G, Alation and the North Tyneside Steel Band, reflecting the charity's commitment to supporting emerging local talent.

One of the day’s highlights was a live spray-paint installation created by street artist Bobby, known as Sick Styles, alongside YMCA North Tyneside's youth and community teams. 

The artwork was designed to capture what the organisation means to the young people it supports and provided an interactive focal point for visitors throughout the day.

Independent traders including Truly Torta, Lucca Pizza, Jam Jar and Rob's Ices also helped create a festival atmosphere in the town centre.

Ian Pearson, YMCA North Tyneside day nursery manager, said: “We are absolutely thrilled by the incredible turnout for this year’s Picnic in the Park. 

“Bringing over 1000 people together was a wonderful celebration of our community’s diversity, offering a fantastic opportunity to engage with residents and share insight into our vital work.

“We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s generosity. 

“A huge thank you to everyone who came along, and to our phenomenal performers, food vendors and supporters. 

“The day truly showcased the very best of our community coming together, and we are already planning for next year!”

The event forms part of YMCA North Tyneside’s wider community engagement programme, with organisers already looking ahead to next year’s Picnic in the Park following another successful turnout.

Jane Enright, marketing and communications manager at YMCA North Tyneside, added: “What makes Picnic in the Park so special is seeing so many different people come together to support their community, celebrate local talent and help create something that has a genuinely positive impact.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible, and it was fantastic to see families, performers, volunteers and local organisations all helping make the event such a success.

“We are especially proud that this year’s event not only celebrated grassroots North East talent but also marked the official launch of our Y Bus, which will help us take youth services directly into communities across the wider region that need them most.”

Green Party councillor Martin Osborne added: “YMCA North Tyneside do so much amazing work in the community and it has been fantastic to see their Picnic in the Park go from strength to strength over the last few years.

“It is a great opportunity to bring everyone together and highlight the impact that the YMCA North Tyneside has, and I’m looking forward to continuing to see the event grow in the future and supporting them.”

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