Go Back To Nature For Hanwell Carnival

Elthorne Park's big event in June

The countdown is on to this year’s Hanwell Carnival, which will take place on Saturday 15th June in Elthorne Park.

All the firm favourites are back such as the procession, dog show and funfair.

As this year’s theme is Back to Nature, an array of species from the animal kingdom will be lurking in the park. There will be a petting farm, pony rides, and animals of a much wilder nature. A mobile zoo will feature a monitor lizard, python and meerkats. Four West African Dwarf crocodiles will also be visiting – and they do not mind being handled for those brave enough to do so!

Queens Park Rangers football club will be running a 5-a-side competition and coaching sessions. And on top of all that, there will be a Met Police helicopter, some vintage police and a Dalek.

There are a variety of stages offering music and dance, and a range of stalls for crafty types and hungry bods.

The carnival is London’s oldest, first taking place in 1898, and it was established to raise money for the Cottage Hospital (now Ealing Hospital). The carnival is a free event, run entirely by volunteers for the community.

Charity is still the carnival's reason for being, and many stalls in the park will be occupied by groups highlighting their cause and raising some money. For some of the charities, carnival day is their biggest fundraiser. If there is an excess of funds after staging the carnival, charities will be invited to submit bids for grants.

Charities also take part in the procession. They are joined by schoolchildren, community organisations and sport clubs, including karate, camogie and cycling. There will be plenty of noise, including a pipe band, and loads of colour.

The Carnival Royalty - our queen, princess and prince - will lead the procession in a fabulous vintage Railton car. However, most people do the procession on foot – it’s only a mile or so - and it assembles at Hanwell Community Centre in Westcott Crescent at 10am and leaves just after 11am.

The procession will finish at Elthorne Park, Boston Road, and the party will continue there from 12pm until 6pm.

Remember, entry to the park is free and there will be plenty to keep both young and old entertained.

20th May 2013