Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival
ONE of the highlights of my summer is taking a trip to our capital for the infamous Notting Hill Carnival which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
I was introduced to the celebration around three years ago after reading about it in a magazine while I was sat drinking English breakfast tea in my local Starbucks.
I love a good party and the Notting Hill Carnival seemed like the perfect way to spend a weekend in a buzzing atmosphere where a crowd is united to celebrate diversity.
It has become a military operation to prepare my trip to London.
“Train or car? Hotel or kipping at a friend’s house? Coat or cardigan?” are all questions that need answering weeks before I embark on the 300 mile journey to the carnival.
This year I started my research early and while I was surfing the net, finding out where were the best after-parties, I came across the Kensington and Chelsea council website.
I read up on their advice and information regarding the carnival, which is now in its 43rd year, and I was saddened by the restrictions being placed on the event in a bid to make it “safe”.
One of the most significant changes has been the time the carnival starts, which has been moved to the earlier time of 9am, in a bid to get the float procession over before it gets dark.
And a noise restriction has been placed on the various sound systems which pump out the carnival tunes around Notting Hill—offering visitors the chance to be part of a massive street party.
The council claims that they have curbed the celebrations for 2009 in a bid to stop trouble-makers coming out at night and spoiling the party for the majority of carnival revellers.
But to me this is just a classic example of why Britain is considered a nanny state with local councils stepping in to hold the hands of its residents, to make sure they don’t get too giddy.
It is the kill joy council who is spoiling the event for 2009.
The Notting Hill Carnival has been known for attracting trouble in past years as some wannabe gangsters see it as the perfect opportunity to go out and brap their postcode rivals.
But visitors to the carnival are well aware that putting 500,000 people in one area may bring with it dangers and it should be up them whether they take the risk.
You don’t stop pedestrians from crossing the road just because they may get hit by a drunk driver.
I am fully aware that councils have a responsibility to keep their residents safe and while I’m at the carnival I am reassured by the police presence that helps the event run smoothly.
However, I take objection to being told that the music should be at a certain level so my ear drums are safe, or that the event should finish before dark so I’m not confronted by trouble.
Notting Hill Carnival is a two-day event which happens once a year and should be allowed to go ahead in all its glory as a celebration of Britain’s cultural diversity.
By limiting the fun it allows the trouble makers to impact on my life by stopping me from enjoying the event to the maximum.
A carnival curfew will not stop the law flouters from taking a pop at their gangster rivals.
If they’re willing to carry a gun, they’re willing to use it.
Carnival or no carnival.
