PARTY TIME

Aug 09, 2010

CARNIVAL PARADE

The August bank holiday weekend wouldn't be the same without Notting Hill Carnival

Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August will see the streets of West London come alive for Europe's biggest street party. The Notting Hill Carnival has been going strong since 1966, and now attracts around one million people from all over the world. The culturally diverse event sees people of different ages, races and backgrounds coming together. It's the time of year when you can free up yourself and enjoy the array of sights and sounds within a 20 mile radius. Remember carnival is all about peace,unity,solidarity and having fun; so come with a good vibe and enjoy yourself.

BENEFITS OF CARNIVAL

Carnival is a free party – the biggest street party in Europe
Carnival is at the time of the year when the weather should be hot
Carnival is way to wrap up summer!
There's something for everyone!
A culturally diverse event!
It's vibrant, loud and exciting

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECUTIONS

Unattended bags or packages should be reported to the police
Have a designated meeting point in case you loose you entourage
Do not show off valuable I.e money ,jewellery, gadgets or phones
Carry a bottler of water Water and bring warm clothes in case the whether changes

REMEMBERING CLAUDIA JONES – THE MOTHER OF NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

The ‘Mother of the Notting Hill Carnival’ Claudia Jones is an icon and an inspiration to us all.
Her contributions have not only helped many people in the UK, but she has also done much good in America as well.

Claudia Jones had a vision, and that vision was to create links between political campaigns and cultural celebrations to achieve unity. She wanted every one of all races to be able to get along and to live fairly. In 1959 she'd gone along way to achieving this by helping to launch the world renowned Notting Hill Carnival. It was a positive response to the 1958 riots, when racist mobs attacked blacks. It also saw the murder of Kelso Cochrane, who was killed by six white youths. Claudia fought fiercely against the riots and all the negativity and adverse behaviour in the community.
The carnivals main aim was to help eradicate racism and to express political views. It was also a good way for West Indians to showcase their talent and culture to those less aware of what the Caribbean had to offer. The carnival celebration started out in halls and was embodied by the slogan: 'A people's art is the genesis of their freedom'. It began in the St Pancras town hall in January 1959, and was televised by the BBC. Although the mainstream newspapers didn’t give the carnival a glowing report, this did not stop the positive morale of the organisers and those that attended the celebration. The annual carnival remained there up until 1964.

Today the Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant affair; which is full of colour, culture and creativity!