Ham Parade Market has its ‘Hamiversary’ celebrating its first birthday. To commemorate the committee have commissioned a new bench with a plaque for the parade and lined up an extra-special array of musical performers

The previous bench on Ham Parade Green was practically unusable, so the Ham Parade Market Committee replaced it in commemoration of their one year anniversary this month.

In tandem with Richmond Council, we arranged for a new one to be installed with a plaque stating the date when the market was established and our motto: “Ham Parade Market est. October 2017 Run by the community For the community.”

HPM Treasurer, David Butcher, said: “It’s wonderful to already see people using the new bench while eating their lunch or just sitting to have a rest. We set up Ham Parade Market to improve our neighbourhood and we’re delighted to celebrate our first birthday with everyone.”

The Hamiversary market is on Saturday, October 6, and is four hours of music to entertain market-goers. The line-up includes Lilac Underworld, Giacomo, Grooveacademy Band, Maisie Johnson and Belle O'Hagan with a big and very energetic surprise for the finale at 1pm.

Add to this, children’s craft stalls and face painting, a charity stall for first Ham & Petersham Guides and a visit by Richmond Borough’s Deputy Mayor, Mona Amos, to announce the winning raffle ticket.

So far, Ham Parade Market has raised nearly £5,000 for the various charities it has supported every month with a stall and raffle prizes, generously donated by stallholders and local businesses.

Charities include Ham & Petersham SOS, The Vineyard, Momentum, YMCA Hawker Centre and Cassell Hospital. Additionally, HPM has helped new businesses set themselves up as they have used the Market as a launch pad. The Awesome Skincare Company, Happy Hill Kitchen and The Little Hanging Garden Company are all going from strength to strength because of Ham Parade Market.