Invaded by 2 millions party animals (Notting Hill Carnival)

Member Name: SimonT

Product:	Notting Hill Carnival
Date:	21/08/01 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cultural activities, Free entertainments

Disadvantages: Overcrowding, Crime

The Notting Hill Carnival takes place on August Bank holiday Sunday and Monday every year. Being a local resident, I used to join in the fun and dance in the streets. Now, the Carnival has become the biggest street event in Europe attended by two millions people. The event is just getting too big to be held in residential streets. On Monday when the main Carnival is held, some parts of the streets can be dangerously overcrowded. Due to concerns of crowd safety, the live stages featuring Radio 1, MTV and Gorillaz have already been cancelled. And because of the serious crimes of fatal stabbing and shooting in previous years, more police resources are now needed for the huge event. The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has been pressing for the procession being re-routed away from the residential areas. Sooner or later we may see the Carnival being held in Hyde Park, like the other big events such as the Lord Mayor Show, the New Year Parade and the Chinese New Year Celebration, which all take place in non-residential areas in Central London.

The Notting Hill Carnival is run by Notting Hill Carnival Trust which receives grants mainly from the Arts Council and some commercial sponsors. This year, 2001, the main procession on Monday had about 60 floats, 10 steel bands and 20 Soca bands. There were two live stages, 40 Sound Systems and 300 food stalls in the carnival area. If you are going to the Carnival, please try to be sensible: -

If you have children with you, join the Children’s Carnival on Sunday (From 12pm to 7pm) and don’t bring them to Monday’s main Carnival.

The Carnival starts at 12pm so come early and pick a good spot.

Don't wear expensive jewellery and do take extra care of your handbag and wallet.

Don't get yourself sucked in the dense crowd. Do walk with the flow of people and not against it.

Don’t drink too much or you’ll have to wait in a very long queue for the mobi
le loos.

Don't stay on after the official closing time at 7pm.


How to get there: -

The following tube stations are within walking distance of the Carnival; special leaflets are widely available in tube stations.

Ladbroke Grove - closed
Notting Hill Gate - restricted service
Westbourne Park - restricted service
Royal Oak - restricted service
Latimer Road
Holland Park
Bayswater


E&OE

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