Hanwell Carnival

Last Saturday, in glorious summer sunshine, was the 125th anniversary of the Hanwell Carnival. As usual, I popped down Boston Road to Elthorne Park to enjoy the atmosphere, pootle around the tents, buy a cup of tea with a guaranteed squidgy cake from a charity stall and inevitably, bump into a neighbour or two. I’ve lived in Hanwell since the nineties but only now realise the Carnival’s history. It began in 1898 as a cycle carnival with riders and bikes decorated for a procession around the local streets, all in aid of Hanwell Cottage Hospital. Various shows and fetes and festivals continued in June each year until 1945. There followed a long gap until 1961 when no less a showman than circus ringmaster, Billy Smart, opened the revived Carnival. As per tradition, the Carnival kicks off with the Carnival Parade taking an hour to wend its way around the closed-to-traffic streets from Hanwell Community Centre, with its floats and bands and dancers. These days, the afternoon’s entertainment no longer includes a bonny baby contest, ballroom dancing nor a wrestling tournament but I really enjoyed some displays of Irish dancing, the Ealing Rock Choir, the best puppies in the Dog Show and the Hanwell Ukulele Band. Long may the Carnival prosper!