On Thursday 12 December 2024 over 70 people joined us at Pembroke House for ‘Winter in Walworth, Pembroke House’s celebration of Walworth over the last year. 

Pembroke House’s winter party, or ‘Festive Reception’ as it was formerly known, has been a longstanding tradition within our140 year history. Hosted by Lord Chris Smith, the Chair of Trustees and the Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, the Festive Reception served as an opportunity outside the AGM for the trustees, donors, Pembroke House staff and community members to interact and often included performances from the Pembroke Academy of Music.

The last Festive Reception was in 2019, but last year it was reintroduced as the winter party ‘Winter in Walworth’.  The transformation signified the growth, the connections and the changes Pembroke House has undergone since Covid. Dubbed ‘Winter in Walworth’, the winter party welcomed a much wider group of attendees. Community members, trustees, staff (past and present), and previous volunteers came together to connect over food and drink, all with a unique and interesting connection to Pembroke House, and the wider neighbourhood. 

There was delicious food courtesy of local vendor Donde Fernando and our wonderful chef Samar Naaman, plenty of drinks, and live music provided by the Fann Street Hot Club which set the mood and was a wonderful backdrop to the merry atmosphere. 

Our celebration was a collaborative effort, involving both Pembroke House and St Christopher’s, Walworth. It marks one of many collaborative efforts we are looking forward to in the future, including Lunch Club, which we restarted on 13th January 2025. The Lunch Club is every Monday and is a place where over 55’s can enjoy a two course meal together for £4 and a game of bingo for £1.

The party was, however, also a sad occasion. It was the last reception hosted by Lord Chris Smith at Pembroke House as he will be stepping down this year. Chris has been the Chair of trustees since 2015, and has witnessed the many changes that Pembroke House has undergone. During his term as Chair, he has guided Pembroke House through a period of significant transformation, bringing with him a wealth of experience in charity work and community building and we have appreciated his support. We wish him the best!

”Winter in Walworth’ was an excellent way of sending Chris off, while also being a wonderful reintroduction of the Winter Party as a staple part of our annual calendar. Like many of the events we hold, it served as an opportunity for connection, community and celebration.