Forum Topic

BRENTFORD CARNIVAL

I have lived in brentford all my life and we used to have a good carnival years ago and i think the last one was 2000. I tried getting on the commitee but they were very unhelpful.Its a shame we have lost our carnival many other towns like hanworth and hanwell have great carnivals and go to great length with them so why cant we.there are many talented people in and around brentford it could be fantastic esp the parade.I have been talking to different people around brentford and here is some of there views.1.The carnival should be before the kids break up for the holidays so that each and every school could take part by teacher nominating 2 pupils from each class to enter for the beautyqueen/princess or stud/king of Brentford which could be judged at the watermans art centre .and for every school to make a float and costumes to be in the parade with the best school winning a prize. and all the brentford residents to be invited to dress up in costume to add to the atmoshire and be in the parade. the parade is the most important part of carnival.2.All the pubs and clubs to take part with a float from there brewrys and to have teams for  tug of war between the pubs thats what we used to have years ago. and the shops to take part would be great and free advertising for them.3.Lots of competions with prizes and certificates Animal, Bouncing Baby, Dancing Best D.J best Break dancer five aside football etc some of the competions to be judged at the watermans a month before and the winners to perform on the day. and small prizes to go to all that attend the cometions to say thank you get all the local news papers involved on the day.and a disco with local d.js 4 The parade to be more colourful and flambouent costumes and proper canival calipso music little a mini notting hill and milatry bands and drummers and dancing in the streets whistle blowing and horns beeping like it used to be.5 A carnival workshop to make costumes through out the year and to meeting at.the Football ground,  watermans art centre,clayponds hall or mission hall would be good for this. Free advertising in all the local paper in the shops and schools not days before but a good month before.6. Volentry security of brentford people for the day. famous brentford person to open the new carnival.Stalls to be only £5 so everybody gets a chance to come and sell things and craft and art stall by local brentford people would be great. which could be done at the  carnival workshop. all clubs eg brownies guides scoutes and classes to be involved and all the local shops to donate money or goods for raffles and tombolas.7. Proceeds from the carnival to go to the special care premature baby unit at west middlesex hospital many of us are greatfull to the special care our babys born early recieve at west mid i have had 2 of my own children in the unit they are fantasic and need funding for more incubators and when you have had a premature baby born early you appricate all they do there without them my babys might not have survived. Also putting some back in to making the carnival suceed for the following year.8.To hire with the donations a bouncey castle and small fair rides and candy floss and popcorn machine  so we could charge a small amount rather than £1.50 for a candy floss many people said it was always to expensive at the carnival. when you have more than 1 kid its very expensive. pony rides 50p9. a news letter just about the carnival for school and groups and local places 2 months before and for stall holders. volunteers for all aspects of the carinival. The route and the time is very important people always want to give small change as the parade goes past so buckets would be helpfull or collection pots.10.To end the evening at the watermans art centre with a carnival themed costume ball  with balloons and decor done by myself  as im a qualified balloon artist and florist and costume maker, for cinderellas and princes allowed out past midnight and prizes for the best costumes and proper carnival soca , reggea salsa music for all who want to party through the night. After the carnival photos and costumes to be displayed at the watermans art centre for all to see what fun us BRENTFORD people can really have A big good Luck to Brentford Football club in ther games to come.If anyone has any views on the carnival or would like to do anything with me on it please do hesitate to get in touch i would be interesed to see if any one could get this off the ground.all the best and thanks for readingDebbie Dewar

Debbie Dewar ● 7340d20 Comments

NO PROBLEM SIMON I WILL DO THATTAKE CAREDEBBIE

Debbie Dewar ● 7220d

That would be totally brilliant i will look forward to you getting back to me but can you email me on simonanderson2@blueyonder.co.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7221d

hi simon i am one of the organizers of the brentford carnival we are still putting every thing together we will be combining the carnival with boston manor park festival this year on the 4th  september as for donations we havent got that far yet. But what i can recommend to you is that at the boston park festival you can hire a stall with your own stuff to sell ie car boot or what ever you have and then your money can go where ever you would like.we have a meeting coming up at the end of june i will let you know how things are goingAll the bestDebbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7221d

Does Any one have a contact number or email address for the orgarnisers off the carnival??Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 7231d

lets hope it can get of the ground that would be fantastici will willing to help as much as i can my email is debbiedewar1970@hotmail.comthanksDebbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7240d

If you haven't looked at my entry early today headed Hot News from Boston Manor, please do.  It seems that perhaps two events could be one?linda.massey@virgin.net

Linda Massey ● 7243d

Can you make it as big as it was in 1960?I was on a float on this one:Brentford and Chiswick Carnival 1960

Paul Allen ● 7243d

On the front page of this Brentford website today...is an article about plans..to get the BRENTFORD CARNIVAL started up again.....parhaps linking in with events at Boston Manor House.See others threads too.

Jim Lawes ● 7243d

is there any other willing helpers to try and get the BRENTFORD CARNIVAL up and running again please email me at debbiedewar1970@hotmail.com or through this sitemany thanksDebbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7335d

ok liz thank you very much do you have an email address you could emailme at debbiedewar1970@hotmail.comthanksDebbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7335d

If you are compiling a list of willing helpers please add me to it. I don't have a lot of spare time but think it's a great idea.

Liz Cudmore ● 7335d

hi sara would you be interseted then in putting a team together with me it was me who posted the carnival issues. i would love to do that but as you know it takes alot to prepare i would love to have a carnival workshop to make costumes through out the year. as  i love making costumes and im a florist and balloon artist. i have quite a few people interested in helping what do you sujest? how is soul in the city going is there one this year?Debbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7335d

Hi to all chatting about the Carnival.....I used to be on the committee for a couple of years and then went on to co-ordinate Soul in the City. I love all the community projects as they bring together both old and new friends and show all how great Brentford is! I'd love to see the carnival return...why not try and draw a team together from all those who've given suggestions?P.S. I think the Farmers Market is another great community opportunity.....thanks to the organisers!

Mrs Sara Ward ● 7335d

DebbieI wish you the best of luck in your plans.He's a blast from the past you might want to read about, Brentford & Chiswick Civic Week Carnival September 1960, I was on one of the floats entered from the ATC 3063 Squadron from Windmill Road Brentford. Article Here

Paul Allen ● 7339d

DEBBIE, I don't live in Brentford, but I do like the place - I happen to live in Ealing and I consider Brentford a close cousin to our W5/W7/W13 community. Happily, we in sunny Ealing enjoy a warm community spirit (at least most of the time) and it would be great if Brentford encouraged an even closer community feeling. I think some parts of Brentford have a slightly barren ambience. Good luck with your endeavours. I've always liked Brentford - it has such a long and distinguished history. Cheers.  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7339d

Debbie: If you type "boring Brentford" into the Forum Search box you will find references to the old Carnival...and encouraging words from Vanessa and others.In particular, a message posted by the News Editor of the Brentford and Chiswick Times said the following... Boring? Brentford?"Gunnersbury Park has just hosted the Mela - which attracted 80,000 people (watch out for that obligatory picture 'special' in this week's BCIT, shameless plug I know, but...)As far as the Brentford Carnival goes, the Brentford Community Council last year were trying to drum up support, and as I understand it, didn't get enough interest to run it again...which is a shame, but if anyone out there is seriously interested in getting involved then presumably there's nothing to bar it happening again" Gerry and I live outside of the borders of Brentford (Isleworth and Ealing)...and with a combined age of nearly 140 years we may not be your best hopes(!).  There must be some organisational plans and financial documents around..relating to previous events (closing roads,using the venues, involving local clubs etc)..and maybe the BCC is a good starting point.Members of the Brentford and Isleworth Committee could perhaps help with advice too...indeed Isleworth did have a Carnival in 2004.Have much good luck.

Jim Lawes ● 7339d

hi gerry thanks for that are you and jim both from brentford?Debbie

Debbie Dewar ● 7339d

Excellent posting DEBBIE and I agree with JIM - it'll be great for community spirit in sunny Brentford. Do hope you get a good response - well done and some very good suggestions.  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7339d

Debbie: That's a great idea..and hopefully a lot of helpful suggestions will come your way.Even if the event was to be smaller in scale than you describe...it will still be a valable and appreciated event in the Community. Last year's Brentford's "Soul in the City" event was a great success...and hopefully that could be financed and organised too.So: fingers crossed..and have a good response.

Jim Lawes ● 7340d