ones little ‘uns well occupied.  There will be family entertainment, succulent African Caribbean food, English and tasty morsels from other cultures, arts, crafts and children’s activities to keep one’s little ‘uns occupied throughout the day.  Some of our local councillors will also be around throughout the day to ‘press the flesh’ as well as other public service providers with their information for the public and lots more.

 

5. The performers on the main stage will include many local young people as well as performers from further afield.  The main music will be calypso, and soca, with some reggae thrown in.  It’s hoped there may also be a second performance stage, which will cater for other selective tastes like Hip Hop and R’nB.

 

6. Comment from the chairman Ronald Clarke;

“After a long walk through the streets of the city many people will welcome the soft feel of grass under foot, on arrival at Moor Park.  This will be the first time we have been able to use the grassed area of Moor Park for our main entertainment”.

 

7. Correspondence should be sent to: Preston City Caribbean Carnival Association. c/o Preston City Council, Regeneration, Community and Leisure Services Directorate, the Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HT

Opening times for workshops

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY  12pm til 8pm

the workshops will be open for bands to use MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY BUT these

days are for the artists construction of 4 main pieces that will feature in this years event. They will

however be able to assist and offer guidance.

The workshops are in the units on the 3rd floor of Oyston Mill

KING AND QUEEN DANCE @ CARIBBEAN CLUB 8 TIL LATE 19TH MAY 2007

DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED!!!!!

The chance for each band in the procession to put forward their best male and best female in a bit to lead the procession!!!

Competition will be held on Saturday 19th May from 12:30pm at the Harris Muesum Preston all registered bands/individual performers are welcome to compete!!! the more the merrier!!!!

In order for this event to be a success it is important that all registered bands participate.......take the chance to show off the delights of 27th May a week early!!!

SUNDAY 27th MAY 2007 Start at 12.00 noon Departing at 12.00pm (approximately) Caribbean Carnival Procession Depart Moor Park Avenue (Easterly direction) turning right onto Deepdale Road; Deepdale Road turn right onto St.George’s Road; St.Georges Road turn left onto Garstang Road; Garstang Road turn right onto Moor Lane; Moor Lane take third right (on the round a bout) onto Corporation Street; At traffic signals (junction with Ringway A582) continue up Corporation Street; At traffic signals (junction with Fishergate) turn left onto Fishergate; Continuing into Church Street; At traffic signals (junction of Church Street/Ringway A6) move across and bear left into Deepdale Road; Procession ends at the Main Stage located on Moor Park .

Its that time again!!!! time to drop foot through the streets to the heavy beats of soca and caypso!!!! dazzled by the vibrant colours of carnival bands from near and far!!!! This year the Carnival procession will be going back to its roots and finishing back at Moor Park by public demand!!! (a treat for the prisoners of HMP Preston!) Defending her title will be Joy Newgent of Nottingham who won the procession competition in 2006!!! Also this year we take the opportunity to commemmorate the 200th year that marks the abolition of the slave trade!!!

Welcome to the Treasurer’s page.  I am, hopefully, not going to bore you with money talk but it is very important that you are aware of what it takes to put Carnival on the streets over the Bank Holiday weekend. 

 

I will start with a little about me.  I have been involved with the Preston Caribbean Carnival, as a committee member, for a few years.  This is my second time on the Committee.  I have gone to Carnival for many years but only played Mass once.  When I was younger my family used to be in a Band most years and then stopped.    At that time I enjoyed Carnival as a spectator and going to the dance on the Monday night.  Back then you could just about find a space to dance.  The Caribbean Club used to be buzzing and everybody in Preston and outside went to the Club on the Monday night.  I used to dance until I could hardly walk.  Unfortunately, the younger members of the Caribbean community decided that Carnival was not cool, so they abandoned it for a different life style and the more fashionable night clubs.

 

It is difficult to organise Carnival.  The Committee is made up of volunteers who are almost all in demanding full time employment.  The time given by Committee members is, therefore, limited to mostly during the nights and at weekends.  Each year we are funded by Arts Council, Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council.  We have a unit within Oyston Mill, with minimal costs for Rates and a monthly service charge.  Even these small costs are sometimes too much for such a small organisation.  We have also been fortunate to obtain sponsorship from some local business and had donations from some small business and individuals in some years.  It is a constant struggle.  We have applied for this year’s funding and are awaiting confirmation. 

 

We have tried to organise social fund raising events but these are not well attended.  To enable us to attract the younger members of the community we need to stage popular and well know artists.  To do so, we need extra funds.  If you or anyone you know is willing to perform for the price of a few drinks, we will be happy to speak with you.  If you know of anyone who can assist with Lorries for the day, we will be very grateful. 

 

Carnival is an important part of our heritage and we need more young people participating and helping to organise the event.  If we are not careful, Carnival will disappear and become a forgotten part of Preston’s Caribbean history.  Help to support Carnival by giving your time constructively.  And, just as important, come to Carnival and enjoy the day.

 

Thank you for reading my first article.  Dian Flannagan.

Well, where do I start?  I guess an introduction would be useful! My name is Felina Merrifield, I am 25 years old and have lived in Preston all of my life. My twin sister and I were involved in Preston Carnival many moons ago from toddlers right up until the age of about 13. The story goes that the Preston Carnival concept originated at my grandfathers house some 33 years ago, with the aim of giving the growing Caribbean community a reminder of what they had left behind, and the existing  communities a taste of the Caribbean.