“At Traveller horse fairs, I’ve seen how these gatherings continue to function as social and cultural anchors, even under external pressures such as policing and regulation, which keep shutting the fairs down. In church congregations like the Aladura spiritualist churches I’ve documented, multi-generational communities continue to gather weekly, sustaining ritual, music, and collective worship as a living practice despite the widespread gentrification of South London.”
At a time of British discontent, Green feels it is even more vital to connect with stories of communities that flourish through togetherness and shared connection. “Even in an increasingly individualised society,” she adds. “People still seek physical spaces to gather, celebrate and connect to something larger than themselves.”
Tangerine Dreams: Rituals of Belonging in Contemporary British Life by Sophie Green is on view at the Martin Parr Foundation from June 4 until September 6, 2026.
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