Redbridge Carnival 2012 set to be boroughs biggest Queens Jubilee event!

Image of last years "London Peace Week Celebration in Ilford Town Centre managed by Redbridge Carnival on behalf of the East Ilford Betterment Partnership

Redbridge Carnival returns this year  on the 4th and 5th June corresponding with the Queens Diamond Jubilee, during what is a landmark year with the Olympics just around the corner.  

This years event will not be in Valentines Park but in Ilford Town Centre for which we have already attained approval.   We have planned to have face-painting, clay and art workshops and bouncy castles in the town centre during the celebrations surrounding our queens 60th Year in power.  


During HRH Queen Elizabeth II's reign Britain has gone through a cultural enrichment, due to the more diverse mix of people living here.  No more evident than here in Redbridge! It is time to celebrate our ecclectic culture and fashions in style, in a manner only we know how!  So make sure you come out and join us for the party of a lifetime.

In particular this year we are seeking Schools participation as we have changed the date to fit in with the school calendar.  If you attend a local school as a pupil or staff please do get your educational establishment involved.

The event is set to be bigger then any previous years and we invite groups who are interesting to participate in;

• Our procession 
• Holding a Food, Other Commercial or charity stall
• Participate on stage as a performer in dance, drama singing or other entertainment types!

  

If you would like to get involved with Carnival or would like to join our committee please come to our planning meetings held at 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG1 1XG from 19:30 on Thursdays.

Video of Aidan Davies (5th Place in Britain's Got Talent 2010 and presenter on CBBC Friday Night Download) at Carnival last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHpnGBM03b8

Our procession this year will start with a foot procession leaving from the town Centre at 12:00 Monday 4th June 2012, this will travel along the High Road into the former Seven Kings Swimming Baths.  From here a mixed vehicle and foot procession will travel back up the High Road, Along Winston Way, down Riches Road back onto the High Road, where it will travel the length of Clements Road and re-enter the High road from TSB Bank.

 Redbridge Carnival Court with two members of Winners of Britain's Got Talent 2009- "Diversity"

Redbridge Mayor Chris Cummins with Redbridge Carnival Court.

Last night (16th November) a spectacular event in our town centre to celebrate the official switching-on of our town centre festival lights, was made even more glamorous by the attendance of Redbridge Carnival court.  The girls were introduced to the wider public by compere Weininger, just after an awesome performance from Ryan Green who sang beautifully, at our own carnival and Redbridge Peace event.  Despite the awful economic climate our borough has brought some much needed cheer and reminded us all that it is a very special season we are entering.

Redbridge Carnival Ilford library display a real treat!

Images of Carnival from 2010 and 2011 in Redbridge Arts Council display

Images of former and current Carnival Court (Queens and Princesses) and a very historic Carnival Queen crown and sash from the famous carnival of the 60's.

Many of you have commended us for our displays on Carnival in Ilford Library that were present from August through to October.  This was a new and  innovative way for us to reach more local people.  

Good news for those of you who missed the two cabinet displays  is that Ian Dowling from the "Local History" department of the library has agreed to make a more detailed display on the 2nd Floor of Ilford Central Library, from March next year.  He will be using some of our recent display material and items present in his existing archive spanning back to 1908.

Redbridge Peace Concert

Redbridge Peace Monument

A short description of the Redbridge Peace Monument installation and first large scale Peace concert in our borough.  The event was held on the 24th September 2011 the last day of the official "London Week of Peace." 

Redbridge Carnival and the East Ilford Business Partnership (who also funded the installation of the monument, organised and managed the Peace Concert.  Wilson Chowdhry the Chairman of both groups deserves credit for his efforts in seeing these two projects to fruition. 

Ilford Town Centre has never been so busy!

Superintendent John Sweeney spokes of the need for communities to work together to restore local peace and cohesion.

VIP Kids manager described an appeal to Simon Cowell for support for the anti-violence rappers

Ann Oakes-Odger MBE spoke of the pain she suffered when her son lost his life in a violent attack.

Hundreds Gathered in Ilford Town Centres biggest ever event..

Evolution Dholl kicked things of in style.

Desi Dholl - a must see in Ilford Town Centre

Ravi Benot a man holding another meeting in the Town Hall came out  to ask visitors to join his event too.  We must have had some impact!

Angel Dance Academy were inspiring...

Rani King PA to Baroness Newlove spoke on behalf of the Baroness and described hope that our endeavour would have success.

Mayor Chris Cummins, Cllr Balvider Saund  and various other dignitaries joined the unveiling of the monument.

Wilson  introduced speakers at the monument.

Mother of slain Kashif Mahmood- Parvin Mahmood was joined by Ann Oakes-Odger MBE in unveiling the monument.

The monument revealed in all its glory!

Designer Gary Drostle spoke of his inspiration for the design and the intrinsic symbolic messages of peace, hope and unity.

People were awestruck that a project with initial council disdain was able to succeed and produce a fitting tribute to victims of violent crime in Redbridge.

Families stopped to hear the testimonies.

Mayor Chris Cummins spoke of his pride that our community was so resilient.

Flowers at the base of the monument reminded us that a tragedy had occurred at the location.  Gandhi's words inspired us with hope.

A 1 minutes silence caused an emotional outpouring and deeper reflection.

It is hoped the monument will become a beacon of hope for all people in our borough illustrating the futility of knife crime and the severe consequences to perpetrators of violent crime.  Plaques are to be introduced to base of the monument that will contain eulogies to victims Kashif Mahmood and Wesley Odger.  This year a schools/local groups painting competition will result in  the conversion of young peoples art to mosaic designs for installation at the base of the monument.  We hope to see this work complete by the first anniversary of the monument installation. Families of victims have agreed to speak of the impact to their lives that the loss of a family member circumstances caused, it is hoped that local schools will contact us to facilitate such meetings. Wilson Chowdhry said:

Wilson Chowdhry said:

"Although, unintentionally the monument is shaped like a pencil- I hope it will be used like a pencil to write a more positive future for our borough"

Redbridge Carnival 2011

We were pleasantly surprised by an unannounced visit form the Minister for Community and Welfare from the High Commission of Pakistan.

 Redbridge has talent meets Britain's got talent!

 Aidan Davies stole the show at This years Carnival with an immaculate performance.

 Redbridge Growth showed of their talent and received certificates.

 The 2001 Carnival Court brought glamour to our event!

 Superintendent John Sweeney spoke of the recent riots and called for better community vigilance, cohesion and engagement with our youth.

 The Fire Service conducted a chip pan fire demonstration.

 Hainault Dancers were awesome!

Redbridge Youth services funded Hainault dancers were a real treat.

Aidan appeared again!

MP Lee Scott and Cllr Solomon showed Angel Dance Academy they could dance too!

Spirit of London Award Winner Camara Fearon performed immaculately.

This years carnival was smaller in attendance that last years event due to the Abysmal weather during the weekend and the staging of London Festival and Wanstead Festival on the same day.  However overall the event was still a success and feedback form visitors was extremely positive.

We had our biggest line up ever with over 50 acts spread across the weekend Newcomers included:

• Redbridge School of Gymnastics
• Shpresa (Albanian Dancers)
• Camara Fearon (Singer and winner of Spirit of London Award)
• Dholl Evolution
• Ben the Bagpiper
• Sally's Dance Academy
• Starbrite Twirlers
• Kayzar (Street Dancing)
• Davinder Bedi ( Punjabi Singer Recently played on BBC Asia Network)
• Immortal Reverie (Metal Rock band)
• Gataka ( Sikh Sword Fighting)
• Comede - Ian (stand up comedy)

Old Favourites included:

• Shin Cobra (Live Punjabi Singer)
• Honey's Dance Academy (Bollywood Dancing)
• Electra (Tribal Fusion Belly Dancing)
• Aveley Twirlers
• Amanjot Sangha (Hindi Singer)
• London Fire Service (Chip Pan Fire demo)

There were many other participants.

Aidan Davies stole the show with two elegant street dancing routines.  As a thank you for all the support he received after his performance, he provided visitors with an extra performance later in the day.

A funfair provided by Harry Parrish was a real treat for all visitors, we also had go Kart racing and bungee trampolines.

Superintendent John Sweeney of the London Murder Squad spoke of the need of vigilance against crime collectively.  He urged local people to engage with local youth and to work with them in fashioning a better future for the borough.  He also spoke of the dedication and commitment to protect local people by Redbridge Police and commended them on their sterling work during the recent London riots.  He was definate that their positive attitude and professionalism that kept had limited the impact of the riots locally and kept our borough out of the national media.

Saturday evening was met with a surprise unannounced visit form the Minister of Community Welfare from the High Commission of Pakistan.  He spoke eloquently of the need for all communities to promote cohesion in after the rise of various types of extremism in recent years.  He celebrated the recent anniversary of Pakistan with the wider community of Redbridge, in which a significant Pakistani Community exists.  

The Sunday street procession was larger than last year and hundreds stopped in the street to watch the festivities before them.  We hope to achieve more success with this procession next year.

A comforting hush filled the event during a 1 minute silence to the victims of 9/11 at 14:30 on Sunday 11th September.  On the 10th anniversary of the disaster Imam Hafiz Mohammed and Reverend George Hargreaves, spoke of peace and the need for communities to vigilant against extremism.  It was very rewarding for the RCA Committee to see the wide variety of people from different backgrounds coming together to show their respects.  You could have honestly heard a pin drop!  Visitors where asked to hold hands in a show of unity and you could feel a warm coming together of people who were absolute strangers.

The minutes silence was followed by a lament played by Ben the bagpiper after which a huge passionate  roar erupted.

Redbridge Rainbow at Redbridge Carnival and Redbridge Peace Concert!

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender group to attend Redbridge carnival for the first time

Redbridge Rainbow Community will be joining Redbridge Carnival this year for the first time in recent history. They will be joining the procession and will have a stall on both days the carnival is on. Rick Pataky, Co-Chair of the voluntary group said “We are all very excited about the prospect of joining the carnival this year as it is the first time an openly LGBT group based in Redbridge has done so. We want to stand up and be counted as part of the diverse community that is Redbridge”

The group formed at the beginning of this year believing that many LGB&T people within Redbridge may be very isolated, and often due to fear, are not publicly "Out" to others about their sexuality or gender identity. With the financial backing of London Borough of Redbridge and help and support from the Met police Safer Neighbourhood team, RAMFEL and Redbridge CVS they hope to be as strong as their counterparts in other neighbouring boroughs. Unlike many Inner London Boroughs, Redbridge does not have any obvious Meeting Focal Points where less confident LGBT people can feel free to gather and be open about themselves. The groups aim is to allow the voices of LGBT people living, working, socialising and studying within the borough of Redbridge to find their voice and have a say about their community.

At present the Redbridge Rainbow Community Forum is small in number, but we are most keen to attract lots of people from our community in Redbridge. This is a Forum primarily for Lesbian and Bisexual Women, Gay and Bisexual Men, and Trans-gendered people [LGB&T people for short], Living, Working, Studying and/or socialising within the London Borough of Redbridge. People from organisations within Redbridge, who are supportive of LGBT people and the issues they face, are also encouraged to attend.

We are very keen to advocate for Social Inclusion of LGBT people within the borough; to work with local public services, be it Council Services, Police, Health Services, Beauticians, Dentists, etc, fully taking the needs of LGBT people into account. We are committed to raising Public Awareness of our issues within the borough, working with public authorities to reduce the incidents and harm caused by Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic behaviour; and to create focal points where LGBT people can meet and feel comfortable to air their issues.

Redbridge Carnival Selection 2011.

Last Night in one of the tightest competitions ever our Carnival court was selected.  Participants were made to wait for nearly an hour after judges struggled to choose between the high level of applicants.

Criteria assessed included Community involvement, appearance and poise and Hobbies with potential benefit to the role as an ambassador for Redbridge.

Our Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Cummins, interrupted the trophy presentation ceremony to describe how tight this years competition was.  He emotively described how every candidate was exceptional this year. Their range of community work and immaculate posture and appearance was duly noted.

The Panel op judges included:

Kiran Patti (Chair and Toni and guy Manager) Anthony Mondon Mayor of Redbridge Councillor Cummins Kaijul Pahl 2009/2010 Redbridge Carnival Queen.

Toni and Guy staff spent hours on the make and modern hairstyling techniques that made the occasion one with significant glamour.  Training was also provided on cat walk walking and how to address visitors when speaking publicly.

The Selected court

Julia Gold (1st Place Carnival Queen 2011 

Natashai Ragavan (2nd Place Carnival Princess)Sits on Redbridge Youth Council and is an Olympic Ambassador!

Neelum            (3rd Place Carnival Princess)

Sashi Patti (4th Place Carnival Deputy) 

Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of Carnival said:

"This years competition was a closely won challenge, the amount of community work these girls are involved in is remarkable and a real benefit to our borough and Carnival itself.  We hope the annual post held by these girls will be a beneficial experience and an opportunity to learn new competencies that they will be able to transfer to their future work and societal roles.  Our thanks to Toni and Guy staff for arranging an awesome evening."