There’s lots of fun to be had as the Brockley Max Festival returns this Summer. Pic: Courtesy of brockleymax.co.uk

Community arts festival Brockley Max will return to Lewisham this Friday after a one-year hiatus, as supporters raise more than £1,700 to fund the 2014 event.

Running across venues between Brockley and New Cross, from Friday May 30 until Saturday June 7, the festival has been fostering and promoting residents’ creativity for 14 years.

On March 28,  actress Caroline Munro hosted an auction at the Ladywell Tavern in Lewisham in support of this year’s programme. The “Auction of Promises” included over 60 lots, featuring original works from local artists, theatre tickets, restaurants vouchers, classes and tours.

“We had a really good auction catalogue and people got away with some amazing deals! I won a guided tour of Brockley Brewery, for four people. They will give us a talk around and then we will taste the beers, it is going to be fun!” says Jane Martin, one of the organisers.

Martin has been living near Crofton Park for 26 years and, for the first time, is helping with the setting up of Brockley Max festival.

“I passionately love my community, and this festival is very local, residents can walk to everything. It is really well organised and good value, as most events are completely free”, she says.

Celebrations kick off with the Friday’s Opening Night: an evening of music performances curated by local composer and choirmaster Richard Swan.

A week of free live concerts, art exhibitions, craft workshops, and dance acts will lead up to the highly anticipated final day at Hilly Fields.

Martin says: “It’s a big party with bands, stalls and plenty to do. The atmosphere is just brilliant!”

This year’s highlights will include activities for the whole family, with the ‘Art in the Park’ children workshop, a local version of the School of Rock, and plenty of food from Hilly Fields Farmers’ Market.

More information on the festival can be found here.