South Harrow – Pupils, residents, police, councillors and community come together for lively revival of a much loved community festival held on Saturday at Roxeth Recreation Ground.
The day kicked off in style with a high-energy Hamilton performance by Stagecoach, setting the tone for a packed afternoon of music, laughter, games, and community pride. Children from schools across South Harrow took to the stage, including finalists from Welldon Park’s Got Talent — with standout moments including a young magician successfully tricking the Mayor and spirited renditions of Coldplay and Lady Gaga hits. From 1979 until 2014, The Roxeth Show was a cherished annual event for South Harrow families. For generations, it marked a highlight in the local calendar – full of celebration, spectacle and community pride.
Later performances included mesmerising Somali cultural dancing and a powerful set by the Indie Choir, whose members rehearse weekly at Trinity Bar. The stage remained lively all day with Zumba sessions, live DJs, and crowd-favourite contests.
Beyond the music, the field was buzzing with over 50 stalls. Local groups like Harrow Giving, Harrow District Scouts, Harrow Litter Pickers (with their interactive bin board), and the London Fire Brigade were all present and engaging with families throughout the day.
Residents described the event as “a great return to the good old days,” while Terry Hissey from the Roxeth and Harrow Church Lads’ Brigade wrote on Roxeth Show Memories:
“So good to attend today and to see the next chapter being written. New memories being created…”
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West said on Facebook: “A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success even in the scorching sun. It was a real joy to see the best of Roxeth come alive – from brilliant stalls and performances to incredible food and community spirit.”
One of the most talked-about moments came during the Pepe’s Piri Piri Wing-Eating Challenge, where local resident Aman Bhara devoured six flaming hot wings in just 17 seconds – beating “man to beat” Roxeth Councillor Rashmi Kalu to claim a £50 voucher. All contestants signed waivers for the extreme spice levels, but the contest brought laughter and cheering from the crowd.
Harrow Police officers also joined the festivities, opening their patrol car to children and chatting with local residents. They encouraged attendees to sign up to MetEngage — the Met’s new platform for receiving local policing updates. (Visit www.metengage.co.uk to get involved.)
The raffle featured over 20 prizes, with top awards including:
- Tickets to England vs Wales at Wembley
- Christmas at Kew passes
- A team trip to the Squid Games Experience
- Heriots Cakes, plus vouchers for The Star, Nando’s, and more.
The Roxeth Show’s return was made possible by a small but dedicated team of local volunteers: Rashmi Kalu, Louise Bloomfield, Louise Baxter, Paul Turner, Martyn O’Brien, Manek Patel, and Michael Gollings and others.
Organisers warmly thank all sponsors, including Rainbow Fostering, South Harrow Traders Association, A.V.S., and Action Signs.
To get involved in helping plan next year’s show, contact: theroxethshow@gmail.com
A Labour councillor for Roxeth ward in South Harrow, Rashmi Kalu is a contributor to Harrow Online who writes about local community issues, events and food. He is the organiser of the annual Roxeth Show and founder of Harrow Food Friends, a local platform reviewing restaurants, cafés and eateries across the borough.
