Every year we hear ongoing controversy concerning the Notting Hill Carnival. Does the event represent the real essence of Carnival? Is it too big? Are local residents marginalised by the event? How is the health and safety of visitors ensured etc, etc.
The past couple of years in particular have provoked intense debate with suggestions made that Carnival should be moved to Hyde Park. In fact, in 2005/06 the Mayor hosted a complementary event on the Monday of Carnival weekend, this did take place in Hyde Park and offered a mix of steel bands and performers free to the public.
What really matters however are the people involved: the organisers, visitors, performers, stallholders and local residents - We want to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us want you want at Notting Hill Carnival 2010.
Take the barriers away on Westbourne grove, let people mingle and dance with the bands. Make sure that the gaps between the bands are no more then 3 minutes on the procession route, nothing kills the vibe more then watching at an empty piece of tarmac for 20 minutes.
The Golbourne is emptying, shops are boarding up, market traders are gone, the annual state of siege has started. Anywhere else this would be called a riot. In the last two years we haven't been able to get away from Carnival because we just haven't had enough money. So once more we'll have to endure a sound system banging away in our house, people using the area outside our home as a toilet, all kinds of other crap to clear up and not be able to live normally for two days.If it could return to talented people playing pan rather than just blasting as much noise from a sound system as the speakers will allow, a proper celebration of the area, with costumes and music and mas rather than bullying and ignorance . . . but the likelihood of residents ever being taken any notice of? Based on past performance, we just get in the way of people who need to make a point.
last year carnival was great , but u should have more police security to make it much safer , because London is dangerous and also u should have congo flag for this year carnival
By cutting down on the soundsystems you'd be alienating a whole new culture that has emerged from the black community in britain in recent years. The rise of Grime/DnB/etc is a testament to the creativity thriving in londons black population and the soundsystems at carnival are a way of intergrating this culture into the traditional carnival. No doubt there should be a limit to the number of soundsystems but times move on and you can't expect everyone to be wanting to hear old reggae classics.
I think there should be much more security as every year you here about someone being stabbed of getting into fights but apart from that i love it !!!
