Notting Hill Carnival under way

[richard]

As many as two million people are expected to pack the streets of Notting Hill this weekend for its 42nd carnival.

Tens of thousands have begun arriving as the sights and sounds of the Caribbean filled the area around Ladbroke Grove for Europe's biggest street party.

Sunday is Children's Day, aimed at families, while the main parade on Monday is traditionally much busier.

Carnival chairman Chris Mullard said earlier that if London was blessed with good weather, it could be the biggest bash since its start in the 1960s - breaking the record of 1.5 million visitors set in 2000.

So far, Sunday has turned out to be sunny with temperatures of 23 degrees Celcius. More sunshine is expected on Monday, with light showers in the evening.

By 5.30pm on Sunday, 26 people had been arrested in the carnival area for crimes including drugs offences, theft and drunkenness. Another four were detained on their way there - three of them for carrying weapons.

This carnival builds on last year's unity theme in the wake of the July 7 terror attacks. With the slogan "aspiring and achieving in unity", organisers want to recreate the sense of oneness that followed London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics.

People arrived from across the globe to see the floats, steelpan bands and vibrant costumes of the Mas performers (short for masquerade).

Traditional Soca music and Calypso voice commentary will blend with hip hop and soul blasted from 41 static sound systems along the three-mile route.

"The beauty of Carnival is that there really is something for everyone," said Mr Mullard.

Long-time stars

The event first started in 1966 with a small procession of Trinidadians in memory of festivals in their home country.

One of its long-time stars is Norman Jay, a top London DJ who pioneered acid jazz and house at underground parties long before "rave" became an everyday term. Now a BBC radio presenter, he was awarded an MBE for music in 2002.

Another carnival institution, the DJ duo Sancho Panza, will return to the event for the 13th time. The pair, Jimmy K-Tel and Matt Brown, grew up in Notting Hill and became friends at Holland Park School.

CARNIVAL NUMBERS

# 3 mile route
# 3 live stages
# 41 static sound systems
# 42 years since it started
# 183 arrests made last year
# 518 casualties last year, 104 of which needed hospital treatment
# 11,000 police shifts worked to patrol this carnival
# 1.5 million people at the biggest carnival, in 2000

Their first act together was a New Year's Eve bash in 1992, held because they thought other parties on the night were extortionate.

But Notting Hill Carnival is special, they said. "Having a party during the day in the street... it doesn't really get much better!"

Apart from the steelbands and sound systems, there will also be three live stages with music from noon to 7pm.

Police have prepared for the carnival for the last 12 months and will work 11,000 shifts to patrol the event this weekend.

Local officers in Kensington and Chelsea have arrested 93 people ahead of the event for offences including supplying class A drugs, robbery and money laundering.

Across the capital, police have made a further 15 arrests and have delivered 33 warning letters to past troublemakers.

Superintendent Michael Wise said the Met wanted to tackle gangs for whom Carnival is a "target rich environment".

He added: "We want a safe and trouble free Carnival and that means disrupting criminals before they get on to the streets of Notting Hill.

Hyde Park side event

Apart from the main carnival, there will be a parallel event in Hyde Park organised by London mayor Ken Livingstone.

The mayor claimed his Caribbean Showcase would be more "family friendly" with dance classes, story telling and crafts, complementing the Notting Hill parade.

But the move has infuriated some carnival organisers, who see it as a bid to override their event.

The Caribbean Showcase, free from noon to 7.30pm on Monday, will also include a stage with live music.

SURVIVAL TIPS

# Wear flat, closed shoes as not to cut yourself on broken glass lying around
# Plan your journey to and from the Carnival in advance. Take public transport, as parking is impossible
# Get a map
# Leave valuables at home. If you do carry any, keep them out of sight and in separate pockets
# Wear sunscreen and take a rain jacket or umbrella
# Don't rely on mobile phones. Agree a set place to meet friends - but not at a station, since they are too busy
# Don't leave toilet stops for the last minute. Queues are long
# Book your spot at an after-party venue in advance


Source
By Martina Smit
thisislocallondon.co.uk

Image 1: Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's biggest street party. (Copyright: Martina Smit)
Image 2: Download Transport for London's route map and transport information for the Notting Hill Carnival