Street party gets crafty in Rotherham

CRAFTY carnival fans spent Saturday turning out decorations for a September street party.

Artists of all ages made egg box flower garlands, dream-catchers and even a shark for the People’s Parade, which will take place on September 24.

They spent six hours at the Old Market Gallery, Keppel Wharf, getting messy with paint and paper.

The autumn parade will include a procession of costumes through the town centre to Clifton Park, where musicians and performance artists will help create a multi-national carnival atmosphere.

Carnival organisers have already raised over £50,000 in arts grants and sponsorship, but need another £10,000 to make their plans a reality.

Vicky Hilton, of Open Minds Theatre Company, said: “The first carnival workshop was a huge success.

“We want to encourage people to come along, get creative and build their own carnival.

“We’re doing all sorts, from puppetry to paper mache, so do come and get involved.”

She added: “I fully believe that the carnival project has the potential to do more than anything else to assert what is good about Rotherham.

“We will fill the streets with never before seen creations, music and positivity. We want to show the real Rotherham.”

The next carnival arts workshop takes place on Saturday, June 4.

Organisers are currently collecting recycling — like egg boxes and plastic milk bottles — to make things for the parade.

See Facebook page Rotherham Carnival — The People’s Parade for more details.

To donate to the carnival fund, text “CARN16 £” and an amount to 70070 (e.g. CARN16 £10).

For more information on corporate sponsorship, contact Vicky at [email protected] or on 07979674014.