'Top notch' carnival promised

Rotherham Culture Company, Open Minds Theatre Company and partner groups have set the date when top-notch carnival artists from around the country will meet here for a unique event.

The big day will begin with A Symphony of Rotherham - a musical performance involving both the Minster’s bells and a call to prayer from town centre mosques.

In the planning for over five years, the project is supported by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA), the Global Carnival Centre, local community organisations and businesses.

The home-grown parade will showcase the best of Rotherham’s native and immigrant cultures through the lens of carnival.

Lead organiser Vicky Hilton said: “This work is important in Rotherham now more than ever. 

“We want to celebrate our differences and bring people back into the town.

“The Jay Report has had devastating effects, not just in the town but within our grassroots communities.

“The carnival is something that can help towards rebuilding communities and relationships. Rotherham artists are very excited about the idea.”

Last October, the Old Market Gallery hosted an exhibition of international carnival costumes, puppetry, photography and artefacts.

Notting Hill costume veterans Mandinga Arts and Rampage Mas Band even visited the town to offer the wisdom of their long experience.

OMTC’s artistic director Steve Rogers said: “We want to instil pride in Rotherham’s communities and engage new audiences who do not attend other arts events.”

Hopeton Walker, chair of the UKCCA, said: “We are very much in support of the carnival for Rotherham. The work that has been done here to date is ground-breaking.

“We will be working together to ensure that the project deliveries the highest quality of carnival arts, whilst being rooted in and representative of the local community.”

Carnival-themed workshops will take place in the run up to September, with schools creating costumes, floats, music and dance for the parade.

It will wind through the town to end up at Clifton Park, where the bandstand will host live music and dance performances.

Anyone interested in getting involved, or who would like more information, can contact Vicky at [email protected].

The Advertiser was told two weeks ago that Magna would host its own carnival-themed celebration this July.