Around the world in four Romford shopping centres and the market

​The sun is here, schools have broken up and everyone's mind is turning to holidays and getting away from it all.

​And while sunshine in not guaranteed - families visiting Romford from this weekend can travel the world, enjoying a range of different cultures and entertainment, as well as the chance to win prizes and get their special passports stamped, without ever having to step outside Romford.

 

Around the World in Romford takes off this Friday (25 July), with the African Showcase Market visiting the Market Place, and runs until Sunday 3 August.

Children collect their special passport from any of the four shopping centres; theMercury​, the Liberty, the Shopping Hall and the Brewery​, and then collect their stamps from each of the centres as they make their way around.

 

Each of the participating shopping centres will be hosting events and activities to mark the country or continent they are representing as part of the event.

 

This Friday (25 July) the African Showcase Market will include arts and crafts, textiles, food, jewellery, clothes and books and games, all celebrating Africa. Families can learn more about the country at educational workshops, and there will be African drum playing, bead making and interactive games workshops throughout the day.

 

Romford Shopping Hall will be celebrating China with free fortune cookies available at Pearl of the Orient on Monday (28 July) and face painting from 12 to 2pm daily for children taking part in the event.

 

On Sunday (3 August), the hall will also host performances from Chinese lion dancers every hour between 11am and 3pm.

 

North America is the continent being celebrated by the Brewery with food tasting at Frankie and Benny’s including ice cream, hot dogs and garlic bread on Thursday (31 July).

 

The Mercury will be marking European culture with a 30th anniversary village fete to mark the St Francis Hospice milestone on Wednesday (30 July), a charity cyclathon celebrating the Tour de France, including Punch and Judy performances, on Friday (1 August) and Wii game events throughout the week.

Lastly, the Liberty will be celebrating South America, recreating memories of the recent World Cup with Brazilian food tasting at Braza, resistance sliding so children can slide their way across the continent throughout the week, and from Friday (July 25) to Sunday (July 27), Soft Play Essex​ will be celebrating South America-themed arts and crafts.

 

Councillor Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

 

“This is a fantastic way for children to learn a little more about culture in other countries while having lots of fun.

 

“It will be a great activity for all the family and I’m sure lots of children will enjoy getting all four stamps to complete their special passports. What a great start to the summer in Havering. It is even more fitting that this is taking place as the Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow, showing the importance of learning about other cultures, and bringing people together in celebration of that.”

 

Notes:

 

The first 500 completed passports will receive a free gift.

 

Everyone who completes a passport will be entered into a prize draw to win from the following prizes:

 

The Mercury
Cinema tickets including popcorn and drinks for four and a fragrance from the Fragrance Shop

 

The Brewery
A meal up to the value of £100 at Frankie and Benny’s

 

The Shopping Hall
Lunch for two at Sunrise Café

 

The Liberty
£50 gift card and giant Millie’s cookie

 

The Market
Food hamper

 

Face painting at the Shopping Hall costs £2 per child.

 

The Shopping Hall in now open Sundays from 10am to 4pm.