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.

I remember the buzz of Carnival, in the months building up to the date we would have to go and get measured for our costumes, the back room at my grandfathers’ house would be full of cloth and trimmings and paper patterns. The constant hum of the sewing machine, transforming the pieces of cloth into spectacular costumes each one with a name tag on it.

The morning of Carnival day was the most exciting, arriving at the house where the whole band would be congregated, as a small child it would seem like there were hundreds of people in the house but the getting ready was carried out with military precision, costumes on in one area… then a bit of eye make up applied in another. Then there were pictures outside the house, me, Fiona, Peter and Wayne ready for the road march!.

The Procession seemed to last forever! It started on Moor Park Avenue Deepdale Road end, and I remember the procession ending on Moor Park Avenue from Garstang Road end. Your feet would ache for days and the constant sound of whistle blowing would ring on in your ears long after the procession had ended.

As we got older we no longer wanted to be in the procession, opting to be an observer with the rest of our friends on the day rather than a participant. In hind sight we should have recruited out friends and made them part of band too!! There came a time when the even my aunties no longer wanted to participate!! This was a real shame because her band was the best! It won first place in the procession year after year after year (have a look at the Isla Montgomery Cup!)