London-News
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Notting Hill Carnival opens with children's day
Europe's biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, has opened with thousands of revellers watching a parade of giant floats.
September 2013
Up to one million people are expected over two days for a feast of Caribbean culture, food, music and dance. Hundreds of youngsters are taking part in the children's day at the carnival which traditionally starts the event, now in its 49th year. The carnival procession started at 0900 BST on Great Western Road. One of
the first groups to take to the streets was the charity Kinetika Bloco, whose dancers wore pink, green and white costumes while a brass band played songs from The Clash's Rock the Casbah to Daft Punk's Get Lucky. Rail strike After fears the start of the event
would be hampered by rain, the skies cleared and the sun shone on performers as they paraded through the streets of west London in bright costumes. As of 1530 BST the Met Police had arrested 17 people at the carnival for several different offences including a public order offence, carrying an offensive weapon, drugs, theft and
drink driving. A spokesman said 6,000 officers were on duty at the carnival on Sunday and just under 7,000 would be attending on Bank Holiday Monday. London Ambulance said by noon it had treated 41 people and taken six to hospital. Notting Hill Carnival opened hours
after London Overground guards began a 48-hour Replacement bus services are in place on the parts of the Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford Junction routes, which are affected by the industrial action. From Richmond, the District Line is operating normally and Southern Trains is running an hourly service