Back to the Future as the seaside comes to East London’s Vicky Park

The seaside came to London’s East End as thousands of revellers enjoyed a day out in Victoria Park.

Even the cops joined in as Pc Lee Warwick borrowed a kid’s skateboard ready for a chase—just like Michael J Fox in 1985’s Back to the Future movie.

One officer was observed in an arresting position flat on his back on the children’s bouncy castle.

The weekend fun day, organised by Tower Hamlets Council as part of its Sports and Play Festival to mark the end of Love Parks Week, attracted 6,000 visitors.

Vicky Park Park was transformed into a “seaside” resort with a giant slide, Victorian carousel, Punch & Judy, stilt walkers and donkey rides, as well as horse and carriage rides through the park.

Traditional seaside attractions were laid on, like a coconut shy, brass bands, choirs and musicians, all organised by Victoria Park Friends Group.

Volunteers also set up a cardboard village where toddlers helped create their own little cottages made entirely of cardboard and their mums decorated the inside—a hint about the East End’s housing shortage, maybe.

The council puts on family events every summer in parks and housing estates across the East End.

These include the Summer Night Lights festival on the Lincoln Estate in Bow Common and Bethnal Green’s Collingwood Estate running till September 8, aimed at bringing communities together and keeping bored teenagers off the streets during the school holidays.

[Photos: Rehan Jamil]