Seaside trip organised for residents wanting to flee Notting Hill Carnival bedlam

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

More than 20 Kensington and Chelsea residents will be heading to the coast as part of a council scheme providing them ‘respite’ during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend.

The local authority has partnered with the charity Age UK since 2017 to offer older residents meeting a strict criteria the opportunity to partake in the trip.

These include them being over 65 years old, and living directly on the Carnival route. A council spokesman said this year’s outing would cost it £24,000, covering travel, accommodation, some food and additional spends such as on staffing and carers. This works out as approximately £1,142.85 per person.

This is less than the £31,000 spent last year, when 42 residents took part.

Kensington and Chelsea offers a number of services to vulnerable residents during the Carnival weekend, which this year is to run from August 24 to 26. These include providing 24-hour security at its housing estates, and holding individual discussions about Carnival with anyone who has been allocated a social worker.

Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street party in Europe, with more than two million people attending each year. An eclectic range of entertainment, from masquerade dancing to steel bands and sound systems, will be on show in West London over the bank holiday weekend, plus more than 300 food and drink stalls.

Commenting on the organised trip, councillor Kim Taylor-Smith, lead member for culture at Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Carnival is a vibrant celebration of our borough’s rich culture and diversity, and we are proud to play our part in bringing it to the streets of North Kensington for huge numbers of people to enjoy each year.

“There are some older vulnerable residents who require respite from Carnival weekend, and we work with Age UK to provide a seaside break for those most in need who meet certain eligibility criteria.”

This year will be Notting Hill Carnival’s 56th outing. The J’Ouvert event, which typically takes place early on the Sunday morning, has been cancelled reportedly due to a lack of bands. A full schedule for the weekend is available on the Carnival’s official website.

Picture: Pixabay/Steve Bidemead: Licence here