This weekend the biggest street festival in Europe hits the streets of west London again. Notting Hill Carnival has been going in one shape or another since around the time England won the world cup…
Forget goal line technology – Notting Hill Carnival is the time of year for everybody to let their hair down, embrace Caribbean culture and stuff their painted faces with Jerk Chicken, Red Snapper, Fried Plantain, and Rice and Peas. Spread throughout W10 and W11 in west London, the Carnival celebrations take over the areas of Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park.
Children’s Carnival Day is complete with a full costume procession dancing along the carnival route following the mobile sound systems or steel bands. It’s also the day for kids to buy expensive overpriced whistles and blow them until their parent’s ears bleed. Grand Finale Day for the Notting Hill Carnival is on Bank Holiday Monday when the parade follows the same route but the adults are the ones getting up to all the mischief. Reggae, Soca, Salsa, Steel Pan and copious amounts of carnival punch will be consumed by all.
The best way to get to the heart of the action is take a tube to the outskirts and join the masses walking to the parade route. The Carnival floats and bands set off at 9am on both Sunday and Monday mornings, running roughly until 7pm both days. (Be sure to look out for the obligatory policeman dancing with a carnival queen at some point during proceedings).
If you have sensitive hearing I recommend that you take some earplugs. If you’re easily embarrassed by people getting their bodies out and shaking what they’ve got, I’d recommend hiding behind a pair of dark glasses, or staying at home with a cup of cocoa.
As one of London’s newest, most vibrant self-storage companies, Attic can help with all your carnival storage needs. Sound systems, steel pan bands and floats come from all over London and we’re well placed for the A12 and A406 that lead to Notting Hill… We’ve got a big car park at our Wick Lane HQ where you can martial your party people and load/unload your equipment. We’ve got plenty of room for you to store your crates of Red Stripe and Jamaican Patties if you fancy your chances of selling them at £5 a pop.
If you’re thinking of getting dressed up to get down, we have wardrobe space for your full up feather-decorated carnival costume with wings. Hummingbird, butterfly, angel – take your pick. You’ve still got a few hours sewing time to throw something together.
And with music and dancing so high up on the agenda, don’t hesitate to ask if you’re looking for somewhere to keep your bass bins, banks of speakers, microphones, record decks, CD boxes, steel pans and all the rest of the paraphernalia.
Remember, if you didn’t get it together in time to book a stall, we can provide a safe space to keep all those boxes of unsold airhorns, hooters and whistles until next year.
Have a happy carnival. Cue Whistle Posse!
Posted on 12th July 2022 by Attic Storage | Last updated on 25th September 2023
