Skull and Cross Bones flags will be flying when The Lakes Cafe presents a Bank Holiday Monday of swash-buckling buccaneering at South Norwood Lake.

This special event marks the maiden voyage of a new Community Garden; the Garden has been lovingly created by donations from local residents of all ages who have also been involved in planting. The Garden follows a nautical theme and the centrepiece is a boat kindly contributed by Croydon Sailing Club which kids can climb in to escape the sharks!

The Garden will be officially declared open at 12pm by Councillor Jane Avis who says; “I am delighted to open this exciting new venture”.

Between 12pm-4pm there will then be games and activities led by the dread pirate Cap’n Blood; plus prizes for the best dressed Pirate; a Treasure Hunt; live music; and Tug o War. There will also be a raffle supporting the Lakes Playground Action Group who are raising funds to improve the playground facilities at South Norwood Lake.

The Lakes Cafe is a new venture bringing quality coffee, food, gluten free cakes, and community spirit to this unique corner of South London. Co-founder Jamie Edgar says; “it started as a pop-up cafe but everyone has been so supportive we now plan to open 5 days per week”. His business partner Mel Whitlock lives 3 minutes away and says, “so many friendly faces use the Cafe as a place to meet, it’s becoming a real community hub. When my kids were babies a welcoming place like this would’ve been perfect; you can come for Little Folk Nursery Rhymes on Mondays, a massage on Thursdays, and great coffee all week!” Jamie adds; “we want to keep things as local as possible, for example serving cheese from Good Taste in Crystal Palace, beer from Late Nights in Penge, and displaying striking prints of the Norwood’s by Red Face Prints”.

Set on the edge of the beautiful South Norwood Lake, The Lakes Cafe is based at The Waterside Centre, a community resource offering a range of services for local residents including classes such as Pilates and Yoga; activities for older residents through Upper Norwood Association for Community Care; and Woodside Health Centre Baby Clinic.

The Centre is managed by Croydon Voluntary Action, and their Head of Asset Management Leigh Armstrong says; “thank to the Lakes Cafe The Waterside Centre has reached lots of new local people, and we look forward to many more exciting events like Pirate Day!”