We need you!

Redbridge Carnival needs more helpers this year if we are to proceed with a Carnival this year. We are looking for committed people to join our committee, who will be involved in raising funds, promoting and organising this year’s carnival.

We hope to make this years event even more spectacular than last years.

This years Carnival will return to Valentines Park on the 11th and 12th September. We have moved the date of the event back a weekend as it will fall after Ramadan and will hopefully induce more participation from Redbridge’s Muslim community, who have not been able to attend for the last two years. Moreover it will also allow better schools participation as Children will be back from their holidays and will be afforded a week to rehearse for our event.

We would like to hear from local performers, political and community speakers, and activity organisers of all types, that may be able to add something to this years carnival. If you are interested please call Wilson Chowdhry on 020 8514 0861 or email wilson@aasecurity.co.uk.
We will be holding planning meetings every week from 19:00 at our offices at 57 Green Lane. The days of the meetings will be agreed in advance by mutual consent.

Redbridge Carnival opts for later weekend!

This year's Redbridge Carnival has been moved forward form the 1st weekend in September to the second week. This is to ensure that Muslims can attend this year as Ramadan ends before the weekend of the 11th and 12th September. This later date should also inspire more school groups to attend and participate.

Kajul Pahl our Carnival Queen leading protest against potential closure of A&E and Maternity Facility at King George Hospital

Campaigning is a serious process, however, it was great to be able to get people to have a jolly in the cold weather.
MP's, Councillors, the leader of the Council and Kajul Pahl our Carnival Queen challenged local people to sign the petition.

Cold weather could not stop the demonstration!


Just look at the ice on the floor! We refused to leave until the day was complete!

Over 50 people attended the event we just could not squeeze them into our camera. Sorry!

As with any event things are not always as organised as they would seem from photos. The event, however, was a great success!

Today to the fore of Ilford Town Hall, the Green Party organised what has to be recorded as a pivotal moment for the campaign against potential termination of Accident and Emergency Facility and Maternity Facility, at King George Hospital. The first All party protest against these closures was a great success.

Over 500 signatures were collected and many people learnt about the dastardly Redbridge PCT plans, for the first time. Wilson Chowdhry from the Green Party said:

"I would like to thank in particular the Readbridge Carnival Queen Kajul Pahl. She rallied people to the petition table and organised an orderly queue for the insistent people determined to show their apprehension to potential closures at King George Hospital. The fact that the Newspapers honed in on her and asked for her personal reasons for being involved - indicates how much of an ambassador she has become for the Borough. Without a doubt, I can categorically state Kajul attracted a large crowd, to what would otherwise have been a run of the mill event!"

Visitors to the event included:

Leader of the Council Cllr Keith Prince
Mike Gapes MP
Lee Scott MP Cllr Balvinder Saund
Cllr Lorraine Sladden (Redbridge Mayor 2008)
Cllr John Tyne
Kajul Pahl - Redbridge Carnival Queen
Mark Dawes - Redbridge and Waltham Forest Green Party Co-ordinator
Bob Archer -Hope Not Hate

and several other councillors......

Thank you to all that joined us - The Green Party will be arranging other events so why not view there blog at: http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/
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Do sign the on line petition (click here).

Mayors Parade 2010

Carnival Mascot Hannah Chowdhry - worn and withered by the end of the event. As cold as it was this adventurous 5 year old lasted the fierce adversity of the weather!
There were literally hundreds of participants from Redbridge groups at the event.

The Carnival team with the Redbridge Float - The three of us Rajeshri Chouhan (Court Chaperone) Kajul Pahl Carnival Queen and Wilson Chowdhry lead the procession. The Two Carnival Princesses Jesse Baker and Katie Woolnoth waved to the crowds on the Redbridge Float with Mascot Hanna Chowdhry.

Lovin it!

A Gatakha Sikh Sword Fighter passes by to impress later during the procession.

Great fun for all!

The Air cadets with Carnival Queen Kajul Pahl just before moving off for the parade.

Twice for luck!

Group Shot no.1 !

Group shot no.2!

Group shot number 3!

At the front left St John's ambulance, Front Right 241 Squadron Air Cadets, middle front Jam Dancers and Jive Dancers, the Police cadets are a little further back and we have the Sikh Sword fighters and Dholl Academy here too!

That's much better - we worked out placing the banner lower allowed more people to become visible! The Scouts are holding the arrangement of flags.

Its Jive dancers withe the Pom Poms!

The Police Cadets moved further forward!

Jive and Jam Dancers!

Redbridge Float with a Jazz Band and Steel Pan performance from the awesome Panultimate!

Jive Dancers to the fore of the Houses of Parliament.

Air Cadets from 241 Squadron outside the Houses of Parliament.

Panultimate Steel Pan Band and the Jazz Performers on the main Redbridge Float.

Like the yellow!

All's well that ends well!

Watch yourselves on the Road!

Everyone had a good day!

Where's the limo?

Banana Splits!

Wilson's off again! Well that's goodbye from us!

The event went awesomely well and Councillor Chan put in a lot more effort than previous Mayors. He has proven to be one of the most charming individuals to hold the role and this year in office has been a real treat. It will be a shame to see him go in the summer and the Redbridge Carnival team wishes all the best of success for the future.

Pink day

Its the rinky dink panther, the pinky pink panther...

Wilson looks a bit peturbed in his new hat?!

When I became Chairman of Redbridge Carnival I promised to the committee present before me, that I would make Carnival and its representatives intrinsic, to as much of what is fun and important in Redbridge, as was possible.

It was hence a real delight and pleasure to be invited by the incumbent Mayor Cllr Chan to be invited to the Pink Day event held at the Town hall last Tuesday. Our Carnival Princesses and Mascot attended the vent with great aplomb and looked glorious in their regalia and shimmering pink dresses. The day had a serious tone in that it was organised to promote Women's Breast Cancer Awareness day and a collection was made for the Cancer Research Fund. Being a part of such an important day was a privilege for all involved with Carnival and I know that the girls were impeccable with their timing and with their attitude on the day.

These girls have committed themselves to charitable work with Redbridge Carnival throughout the year and have already distributed programmes at the Area 5 Festival, collected money for St Johns Ambulance and participated in the recent sponsored Walk held by Joe Browne and the Ilford Athletics Club and here again they have proved to be great ambassadors for the Borough. The Mayor has asked our court to attend various other events in the Year (so do look out for them!)and they will be present on the New Years Day Parade Float too!

Redbridge Sponsored Walk 2009

Joe Browne (Sponsored Walk Organiser) MP Lee Scott, Jessica baker 1st Princess, Katie Woolnoth 2nd Princess, Leader of the Council Keith Prince and Rajeshri Chouhan (Carnival Chaperone) registering for Sponsored Walk.
Wilson Chowdhry preparing to enter the 5k Run even though suffering with the Flu- Did quite well too even though he was in excruciating pain by the end.

Cllr Keith Prince, MP Lee Scott and MP Mike Gapes - opening the Sponsored Run

Almost ready to go!

Were off! That's Wilson in the Black T Shirt just behind Joe Browne's beaming face.

Could there possibly be a more Glamorous Carnival Court in the UK - even in walkwear!

From Left Kajul Pahl (Carnival Queen), Katie Woolnoth (2nd Princess) Jessica Baker (1st princess) and Anum Khan (Deputy)

All smiles before the walk

Deputy Mayor Lambert in the centre of Picture

Always the coolest - Wilson after his awesome run - well not that great but he did have flu!

The deputy Mayor addressing the gathering before starting the main event (sponsored walk)

Another angle and much clearer image

Almost ready to go now!

It did start but we have no images sorry!