Notting Hill Carnival atmosphere ‘uplifting and warming’on August 29, 2022 at 2:59 pm

Carnival goers returned to the streets of west London for the first Notting Hill Carnival since 2019.

The main adult parade takes place on Monday with performers and bands entertaining the crowds.

Millions are expected to attend the two-day event in west London, which has had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

One reveller described the atmosphere as “uplifting and warming”.

Day two of a 48-hour bus strike in parts of west London could affect those attending the event.

The Metropolitan Police said 76 people had been arrested by 07:00 BST on Monday, and a police horse had collapsed and died while on duty.

Singer Alexandra Burke joined The Utopia Band who wore breast pumps under their costumes as part of the ‘Pumps on Parade’ campaign to tackle taboos about breastfeeding and pumping in public.

A 72-second silence to honour the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire will be held on Monday at 15:00.

Another was held on Sunday at the same time. The blaze destroyed Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 residents.

By Harry Low, BBC London

Europe’s largest street party is alive and well.

Crowds cluster around the calypso band as one street away reggae has revellers in raptures.

Turn the corner and the rum punch stalls are doing a roaring trade.

The smell of smoke fills the air as another jerk chicken thigh is tossed onto the barbecue.

A woman dances on her doorstep while her neighbour DJs from her balcony.

Some entrepreneurial residents have opened their homes up – or rather their toilets. It’s £3 to spend a penny in W11 this weekend – or £5 if you wish to jump the queue.

And not everyone is enjoying the festivities.

I spoke to one supermarket delivery driver who described it as “horrendous”

The London Ambulance Service also helped a woman who gave birth while the festival was underway on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the service said: “We were called at 18.45 to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.

“We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority.”

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “As a Londoner I’m really pleased Carnival is back.”

He added that he thought it would be the “biggest and best ever” and praised the local council and organisers for working with residents to minimise disruption to people living in the area.

Shauna Walsh, 38, who lives in Kensal Rise, said: “The atmosphere has been really uplifting and warming – it is nice to be back.”

As huge crowds gathered on day one, two people suffered minor injuries when a bus shelter collapsed in the Ladbroke Grove area.

Offences people were arrested on suspicion of included assaults, drug possession, criminal damage and sexual assault, the Met said.

A police horse also collapsed and died at 21:00 on Sunday but the Met said that it was too early to determine a cause of death and an investigation will take place.

The Metropolitan Police said thousands of officers were on duty to keep the public safe.

Commander Dr Alison Heydari said: “Being able to attend Carnival in person has been sorely missed for the last couple of years, so we are expecting large crowds in the Notting Hill area this weekend.

“We are also working to keep the area safe with the festival organisers implementing ‘safer spaces’ where women and girls can go and seek advice from specially trained professionals, as well as the police.

“Our officers are here to help you, if you feel like something doesn’t look right please speak with us.”

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