Notting Hill carnival came ‘very close’ to not happening, says chair in funding appeal

Ian Comfort calls for government to recognise cultural importance of event and guarantee its sustainable future

About 2 million people are expected to take to the streets this weekend at the annual Notting Hill carnival for its mix of music, food and Caribbean culture, but for the man who runs it, there is a sense of relief to see it taking place at all.

The chair of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, Ian Comfort, told the Guardian that the event needed to secure a sustainable future after a year of funding rows, public disagreements with the Met police, and negative press after violence last year.

Continue reading...

Met police to more than double use of live facial recognition

Technology will now be used up to 10 times a week across five days, up from four times a week across two days

Britain’s biggest police force is to more than double its use of live facial recognition to up to 10 deployments a week.

The move by the Metropolitan police comes as it restructures to cover the loss of 1,400 officers and 300 staff amid budget shortages.

Continue reading...

Tens of thousands fill streets on final day of Notting Hill carnival

Largely peaceful festival marred by fresh stabbing on Monday after three people were hurt on Sunday

Tens of thousands of revellers have turned out to enjoy the final day of this year’s Notting Hill carnival, flooding the streets of west London with colour, dancing and music.

Dancers showed off their flamboyant costumes while floats blasted music for the spectators on the streets of W11. Vendors cooked up a mix of food on open barbecues, as sound systems played everything from rare groove to house, samba, reggae and ska.

Continue reading...

‘One big ball of happiness’: 1m revellers expected at Notting Hill carnival

West London Caribbean heritage, arts and culture event has particular significance this year after far-right riots

Thousands of people have gathered on the streets of London draped in flags and decked in jewels to celebrate the annual Notting Hill carnival, with some describing the festival as a “big statement” on the cultural diversity of Britain.

One million people are expected to attend the carnival, which marks the 56th year it has been running. The celebration of Caribbean heritage, arts and culture is one of the biggest and longest-running carnivals in the world.

Continue reading...

Notting Hill carnival has renewed importance since riots, organisers say

Hope that this weekend’s event in west London will bring people together to celebrate diversity after recent unrest

Organisers of Notting Hill carnival have said the festivities this year will take on a renewed importance and remind people of the need for diversity and inclusion after the far-right riots that took place this month.

More than a million people are expected to line the streets of west London this weekend for the 56th annual carnival, one of the biggest street festivals in the world.

Continue reading...

Charity supporting Grenfell victims accused of racism and bullying

Tutu Foundation claims Westway Trust, which manages 23 acres in north Kensington, is ‘suppressing’ final version of critical report

A charity set up 50 years ago to compensate families living in the shadow of London’s A40 flyover has been branded “institutionally racist” and “unethical”, according to a leaked landmark report.

The Westway Trust, which manages the land under the flyover and works on a range of projects with the local people, appointed the respected Tutu Foundation to investigate persistent allegations of racism against the diverse community of north Kensington. Following the Grenfell fire, the charity provided support for victims, who today commemorate the third anniversary of the disaster in which 72 people died.

Continue reading...

Notting Hill carnival 2019 day two – photo essay

Photographer Anselm Ebulue found revellers feeling hot, hot, hot on the festival’s scorching second day

As temperatures soared to over 30C (86F) in London, the tempo picked up at the Notting Hill carnival – and so did the costumes. The elaborate handmade outfits known as mas – short for masquerade – are at the heart of the annual spectacular.

Continue reading...