Hundreds of thousands of revellers today descended on Notting Hill in west London for Europe's biggest street festival - the Notting Hill carnival.
The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since the glorious summer of 1966, when the people of England really had an excuse to hit the streets and party.
Dancers wearing vibrant costumes paraded along the packed three-and-a-half-mile route in the west of the vast city from 9am today to the sounds of traditional steel drums.
The carnival is one of the highlights of the year for London's large Caribbean population.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.
'Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.'
More than 350 medical staff from the London Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance are on duty on both days.
A four-week Met Police crackdown ahead of the event resulted in 101 arrests and the seizure of knives, weapons and drugs.
Up to a million people are expected to attend the two day event today and tomorrow, which is a holiday.
There are around 600,000 Caribbean people or people of Caribbean descent living in the UK, 566,000 of them in England.
Thousands of revellers get the party started at Notting Hill carnival
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th August 2010
Daily Mail
Hundreds of thousands of revellers descended on the capital today for Europe's biggest street festival - the Notting Hill Carnival.
Dancers wearing vibrant costumes paraded along the packed three-and-a-half-mile route in west London from 9am today to the sounds of traditional steel drums.
The lines of colourful floats were accompanied by more than 40 static sound systems and scores of Caribbean food stalls.
Vibrant: A dancer makes her way along the three-and-a-half mile parade route at the annual Notting Hill Carnival in west London
Colourful: The carnival is described as the highlight of the year for London's and the UK's Caribbean community
For many, the bank holiday celebrations will be the climax of months of rehearsals, planning and preparation, with children's day taking place today ahead of the adults' parade.
Chris Boothman, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: 'This weekend is the highlight of the year for not only the Caribbean community, but also for the many visitors from London and the rest of the country.
'We have already had some fantastic events including the costume shows and the calypso shows, which showcased some of the best talent in its area.
'This weekend is the culmination of all those events, bringing together all the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences which make carnival the great experience that it is.
'We have worked hard with the police and hosting boroughs to ensure that this is the safe and enjoyable weekend we all look forward to.'
Celebration: The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since 1966
Focused: Many of the dancers have practised for months for today's event
The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since 1966.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.
'Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.
'As a former Ladbroke Grove resident, I feel a particular affinity to the pulsating steel pans and colourful floats as simply nothing rivals the spirit and energy of carnival.
'The event showcases the immense contribution that Caribbean Londoners have made and continue to make to life in the capital.'
A massive £6 million policing operation will swung into gear today to protect up to a million carnival visitors.
Teddy Boys and Caribbean immigrants clashed in the area in 1958
Notting Hill is in west London, close to Kensington Gardens, and situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (strangely, though, Chelsea's football stadium, Stamford Bridge, is actually in nearby Fulham). Not only it is famous for Europe's largest carnival, but is also the home of Portobello Road Market and is the setting for the 1999 film Notting Hill starring Hugh Grant. In the 1950s the area attracted Caribbean immigrants and, from August to September 1958, the immigrants clashed with the white Teddy Boys in the Notting Hill race riots. The area takes its name from Cnotta, the Anglo-Saxon personal name, with the "ing" meaning "settlement" or "group of people."
All entrances have search points in a bid to prevent weapons being carried on to the streets, while specialist spotters watch out for known criminals.
Popular: Up to one million people are expected to attend the carnival over two days
Safety: A £6m policing operation is in place to protect carnival visitors
Having fun: Two young girls hitch a ride and pose for a photo
British Transport Police officers are patrolling the Tube and rail system, with mobile metal detection arches being used at some stations.
Teams of officers are targeting pickpockets who have blighted previous carnivals and dog owners have been told to leave animals at home.
More than 350 medical staff from the London Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance are on duty on both days.
A four-week Met Police crackdown ahead of the event resulted in 101 arrests and the seizure of knives, weapons and drugs.
The force launched pre-emptive action named Operation Razorback amid fears crime gangs linked to drugs and violence might clash during the carnival.
Dawn raids carried out earlier this month unearthed £64,000 cash, large quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis, plus weapons including hunting knives, samurai swords and a firearm.
Ch Insp Jo Edwards said: 'We've managed to target a large number of known troublemakers and have taken large quantities of drugs and weapons off the streets.'
Last year more than 200 people were arrested, with most people being held for public order and drugs offences.
dailymail.co.uk
The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since the glorious summer of 1966, when the people of England really had an excuse to hit the streets and party.
Dancers wearing vibrant costumes paraded along the packed three-and-a-half-mile route in the west of the vast city from 9am today to the sounds of traditional steel drums.
The carnival is one of the highlights of the year for London's large Caribbean population.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.
'Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.'
More than 350 medical staff from the London Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance are on duty on both days.
A four-week Met Police crackdown ahead of the event resulted in 101 arrests and the seizure of knives, weapons and drugs.
Up to a million people are expected to attend the two day event today and tomorrow, which is a holiday.
There are around 600,000 Caribbean people or people of Caribbean descent living in the UK, 566,000 of them in England.
Thousands of revellers get the party started at Notting Hill carnival
By Daily Mail Reporter
29th August 2010
Daily Mail
Hundreds of thousands of revellers descended on the capital today for Europe's biggest street festival - the Notting Hill Carnival.
Dancers wearing vibrant costumes paraded along the packed three-and-a-half-mile route in west London from 9am today to the sounds of traditional steel drums.
The lines of colourful floats were accompanied by more than 40 static sound systems and scores of Caribbean food stalls.
Vibrant: A dancer makes her way along the three-and-a-half mile parade route at the annual Notting Hill Carnival in west London
Colourful: The carnival is described as the highlight of the year for London's and the UK's Caribbean community
For many, the bank holiday celebrations will be the climax of months of rehearsals, planning and preparation, with children's day taking place today ahead of the adults' parade.
Chris Boothman, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: 'This weekend is the highlight of the year for not only the Caribbean community, but also for the many visitors from London and the rest of the country.
'We have already had some fantastic events including the costume shows and the calypso shows, which showcased some of the best talent in its area.
'This weekend is the culmination of all those events, bringing together all the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences which make carnival the great experience that it is.
'We have worked hard with the police and hosting boroughs to ensure that this is the safe and enjoyable weekend we all look forward to.'
Celebration: The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since 1966
Focused: Many of the dancers have practised for months for today's event
The carnival has been held each August Bank Holiday since 1966.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.
'Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.
'As a former Ladbroke Grove resident, I feel a particular affinity to the pulsating steel pans and colourful floats as simply nothing rivals the spirit and energy of carnival.
'The event showcases the immense contribution that Caribbean Londoners have made and continue to make to life in the capital.'
A massive £6 million policing operation will swung into gear today to protect up to a million carnival visitors.
Teddy Boys and Caribbean immigrants clashed in the area in 1958
Notting Hill is in west London, close to Kensington Gardens, and situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (strangely, though, Chelsea's football stadium, Stamford Bridge, is actually in nearby Fulham). Not only it is famous for Europe's largest carnival, but is also the home of Portobello Road Market and is the setting for the 1999 film Notting Hill starring Hugh Grant. In the 1950s the area attracted Caribbean immigrants and, from August to September 1958, the immigrants clashed with the white Teddy Boys in the Notting Hill race riots. The area takes its name from Cnotta, the Anglo-Saxon personal name, with the "ing" meaning "settlement" or "group of people."
All entrances have search points in a bid to prevent weapons being carried on to the streets, while specialist spotters watch out for known criminals.
Popular: Up to one million people are expected to attend the carnival over two days
Safety: A £6m policing operation is in place to protect carnival visitors
Having fun: Two young girls hitch a ride and pose for a photo
British Transport Police officers are patrolling the Tube and rail system, with mobile metal detection arches being used at some stations.
Teams of officers are targeting pickpockets who have blighted previous carnivals and dog owners have been told to leave animals at home.
More than 350 medical staff from the London Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance are on duty on both days.
A four-week Met Police crackdown ahead of the event resulted in 101 arrests and the seizure of knives, weapons and drugs.
The force launched pre-emptive action named Operation Razorback amid fears crime gangs linked to drugs and violence might clash during the carnival.
Dawn raids carried out earlier this month unearthed £64,000 cash, large quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis, plus weapons including hunting knives, samurai swords and a firearm.
Ch Insp Jo Edwards said: 'We've managed to target a large number of known troublemakers and have taken large quantities of drugs and weapons off the streets.'
Last year more than 200 people were arrested, with most people being held for public order and drugs offences.
dailymail.co.uk
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