biggest events of the year with 45,000 people from across the city and the county to enjoy .”
Oxford Brookes University also joined the procession , this year in celebration of 125 years of nurse education in Oxford , following on from the 150th anniversary last year . Andrea Siret , Head of Alumni and Community Engagement , was at the University ’ s area in Manzil Way where carnival-goers could participate in activities and find out more about their health . She was very pleased with the day , she said : “ It has gone really well with an amazing atmosphere . It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to be involved in such a fantastic event and to support and connect with our neighbours . It has gone really well .”
Leader of Oxford City Council , Bob Price said : “ it gets bigger and better every year . The City Council is delighted to give the carnival core funding support for three years . We see this is becoming the biggest summer festival for years to come . It is so full of colour and enjoyment , food and culture that we can showcase to the world .”
Food is certainly an important part of the day for many carnival-goers , and the Cowley Road restaurants and stalls were out in force to tantalise the tastebuds with street food from all over the globe including from Tibet , India , Indonesia , Thailand , Japan , and the Caribbean .
The many ‘ firsts ’ for this year ’ s carnival also reflected the theme including the popular World Stage at the Asian Cultural Centre , the ‘ All the Words Stage ’ dedicated to the spoken word outside the UPP cinema in Jeune Street , and Shakespeare theatrical performance and ballet in the churchyard at St Mary & St John ’ s Church .
It was also a first for Johannah Aynsley – her first carnival as the event ’ s new Executive Director and her first visit to the carnival . She said : “ The weather came out for carnival and the people followed . There was a great festival atmosphere , full of goodwill , you could tell people were out to enjoy themselves . 5
“ The new stages and enhanced areas helped to ease previous years ’ crowding and pinch points and the police were delighted with the ambience and feel of the crowds .
. “ The procession was led by a fantastic metal elephant dressed in Asian pyjamas with the Lord Mayor on top , and the schools and cultural groups from around Oxford helped to make this carnival ’ s procession the longest yet .
“ A great success for my first Carnival with lots of ideas and improvements for next year . Thanks to the public of Oxfordshire for coming down and enjoying our party . It was special to see so many different colours , creeds , ages , languages , families and friends all celebrating life together . See you next year !”
The stage at Manzil Gardens hosted a full programme of dance . Claire Thompson organiser of Dancin ’ Oxford organised the line-up , she said : “ The Dancin ’ Oxford Dance Stage is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the huge variety and vibrancy of dance in Oxford . Today
Carnival
featured over 25 different dance groups of all ages and together they presented a truly wonderful afternoon of dance .”
Restore , the mental health charity on Manzil Way hosted another entertainment area serving teas and refreshments along with music in the Restore Secret Garden from What the Fox Music . Olivier Guillot , Head of Recovery commented : “ It has been very good and successful having the music in the garden . Carnival gives our members the opportunity to be involved and more people start to know us and what we do .” 2
Mark Lygo , County Councillor for Marston & Northway said : “ I am very happy , again not only to be involved but also to enjoy the atmosphere of the Cowley Road Carnival which goes from strength to strength every year . It is such a diverse event and brings all the communities together ”
Visiting the carnival for the first time , Oxfordshire ’ s High Sheriff , Sarah Taylor said : “ This is colourful Oxford at its best .”
Sylvia Hall from the Iffley Road was a volunteer for the first time . She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and said : “ It has been just fab . It ’ s a really great way of getting involved and seeing carnival from the inside . I have really enjoyed it .
Thames Valley Police were pleased to see the event run smoothly , Neil Bouse , East Oxford Neighbourhood Acting Sergeant said : “ We are happy with the way the event was run and managed . It was good to see people from a variety of backgrounds together enjoying themselves . Thank you to the volunteers who gave up their time into making the event successful .”
Carnival-goers were asked to contribute £ 1 towards their afternoon which now costs £ 150,000 to organise . Johannah Aynsley said : “ We raised £ 8,000 in public donations , the aim was to collect £ 1 at entry from all carnival-goers and we were hoping to raise over £ 30,000 . The entry points didn ’ t happen this year due to a last minute glitch but the volunteers did an amazing job of asking the public to ‘ give a £ 1 to keep carnival around ’. Next year we will ask everyone to give a £ 1 and help raise funds to cover at least a fifth of the budget .”
The event receives core funding of £ 30,000 a year from Oxford City Council and chief sponsors include Oxford Brookes University , the Bullingdon bar , and MINI Plant Oxford .
www . theocelot . co . uk 27