Line-up announced for West London Queer Project’s street party in Chiswick

Images: Beary Poppins; Brent Would; Don One; Luna Cortez

West London Queer Project celebrates its first four years in style

Beary Poppins, Brent Would, Don One and Luna Cortez are amongst the line up for West London Queer Project’s fourth birthday party on Sunday 25 August.

WLQP promise their street party in Chiswick will be ‘a day filled with fun, entertainment, and fantastic prizes’, starting with Happy Hour at The Fire Station bar-restaurant from 3-5pm, ‘featuring live entertainment, exclusive drink discounts, and exciting freebies for early arrivals’, then continuing outside from 5pm in Old Market Place, with dancing and sing-alongs with drag queens and kings.

Earlier in the day the space, usually a car park, will be taken up with stalls by FoodSt, the monthly street food market, some of which are staying on to cater for the crowds in the evening.

When the outside entertainment finishes at 9pm the party will move inside to the George IV pub. WLQP have exclusive use of the garden and the Boston Room for more drag acts and a DJ until 1am.

Image: Aubrey Crawley, founder of WLQP and Joe Leonard, COO

The party that nearly wasn’t

When WLQP first applied to hold the street party, initially they were turned down by Hounslow Council. A Council officer wrote to organiser Aubrey Crawley to say a local councillor had objected to it:

‘Unfortunately, the Cllr’s has objected that this location is not feasible for the Street Party to take place.’

Cllr Joanna Biddolph wrote to Aubrey explaining she could not support the street party because she did not approve of closing the car park, as she was worried about the effect that might have on local businesses.

After we published the story there was a huge response from people wanting the street party to go ahead, and the Council put out a statement saying a mistake had been made:

“Standard procedure for street party applications includes engaging with all stakeholders, including the ward councillors. In this case that included Cllr Biddolph who sought further information as per standard practice and made no formal objection to it.

“We have apologised to WLQP and Cllr Biddolph for any inconvenience or confusion caused in relation to the progress of the application.”

Image: Well-known Chiswick residents support the launch of the rainbow crossing

“The community that has supported us from the very beginning”

Aubrey told The Chiswick Calendar the community in Chiswick has supported WLQP from the very beginning:

“We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate our 4th birthday with the community that has supported us from the very beginning.”

Since its inception four years ago, WLQP has been dedicated to creating safe, inclusive, and fun spaces for the LGBTQ+community in West London. WLQP has organised a variety of memorable events such as charity fundraisers, quiz nights, movie nights, seasonal parties, scenic walks, picnics and weekly socials, all aimed at bringing the community together and fostering lasting connections.

WLQP was instrumental in organising the rainbow crossings on Chiswick High Road. Famous faces including broadcasters (and spouses) Clare Balding and Alice Arnold, McFly drummer Harry Judd and TV & radio presenter Nicki Chapman, who all live locally, were at the launch to support the initiative.

Image: WLQP wins Best Small Business or Brand award at the Bank of London Rainbow Honours

The organistion has initiated collaborations with Brentford, Chelsea, Fulham Premiership Football Clubs, launched West London Workouts at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub, offering Spin class and Circuits classes regardless of age, gender or fitness level, and they have established the West London Warriors touch rugby club, a community sportsteam that fosters camaraderie and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

They have been working with ‘the incredible teams’ at the NHS Wellbeing and Recovery College, the educational arm of the NHS, to provide mental health and wellbeing workshops for the LGBTQ+ Community, and have created partnerships with four West London boroughs to promote inclusivity (Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Ealing, andKensington & Chelsea councils).

As a result they have been honoured with multiple awards including the Hounslow Community Star, Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honours, and the Bank of London Best Small Business or Brand (and The Chiswick Calendar’s own highly prized community award!)

If you are thinking of going, tickets for the after party are £10, available to book here: wlqp.org

The street party is free to all, but you are encouraged to register, which will automatically enter you in the special Birthday Prize Draw. Register here: wlqp street party

“Don’t miss out on this exciting celebration!” says Aubrey. “Bring your friends and join us for a day full ofentertainment, great company, and wonderful prizes. We look forward to celebratingwith you!”