Brentford Carnival to return?

---

Brentford Resident Duncan Shepherd contacted www.brentfordTW8.com with this plea to re-start the Brentford Carnival. He's hosting a public meeting to discuss the idea - details in the box

Brentford, it would seem, is a very diverse place. In fact, one of the outstanding things about Brentford is the fact that there is so much packed into such a small area. From the 18th century tranquillity of the Butts estate, for example, through to the global HQ of one of the top technology companies in the world! Our own league football club, almost next door to one of the top arts venues in London, just down the road from the steam museum and the musical museum. All of this, plus a set of diverse residential communities, a whole load of riverfront, including a lock and a canal. What an amazing place!

It is this very diversity, however, which has recently ledsome local residents to conclude that there is something missing in all of this. Namely, what is there, apart from the simple geographical facts, which bind all of this together? What is it, that defines what Brentford is, apart from being a collection of different groups and communities? Or to put it another way, wouldn't it be great if there was an opportunity to bring all of this together, as an excuse to celebrate the fact that we live in such a great place? That's why, they concluded, we need a Brentford Festival.

The idea is simply to provide each of the various groups/organisations etc with the opportunity to contribute some form of facility, activity or entertainment which represents who they are in a suitable way, and yet which can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone in the community. So that everyone can join in, everyone can benefit from it at the same time, and we all have a big party. What could be better?

Now, whilst the idea is very simple (and, it should be mentioned, not altogether new), there is evidently a lot of work involved in bringing it into reality. So the organisers are interested to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in any aspect of the setting up of the event, from doing admin type stuff through to physically making it happen. If you think you are one of those people, or you would just like to find out more about what is happening, then in the first instance the person to contact is Duncan Shepherd, on 020 8560 8710, or at the meeting on June 16th.

1 June 2005