Time for the big clean-up! First Notting Hill Carnival in three years comes to a close
Street cleaners will now face daunting task of tackling the piles of rubbish left on the streets after the Notting Hill Carnival over the weekend.
Roads and streets surrounding the festival in West London were pictured full of piles of rubbish which included a destroyed Transport for London bike and tons of takeaway boxes.
Dancers dressed in colourful feathered outfits brought the party when it returned to the streets surrounding Notting Hill for the first time in three years.
Some 13 steel bands, 72 mast bands, six Brazilian bands, 36 sound systems and 300 stalls are involved in this year’s festival – with today known as the ‘Adults Day Parade and Carnival’, which officially ended at 8.30pm this evening.
Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street carnival in Europe and an estimated two million people are expected to attend over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend. The carnival first started in 1966, when about 1,000 people attended, and is famous for its celebration of Afro-Caribbean traditions.
It comes after a Met Police horse died after collapsing while on duty at the carnival yesterday evening as an investigation was launched into Police Horse (PH) Sandown’s death.
Scotland Yard also revealed today that officers had made 76 arrests as of 7am this morning – including 19 for assault, four for sexual assault and grievous bodily harm and ten for possession of an offensive weapon.
The total number of arrests at the 2019 event was 353, compared to 374 in 2018, 313 in 2017 and 454 in 2016. The Metropolitan Police said the most recent carnival in 2019 cost it £8.6million to police. The festival does however bring hundreds of thousands of tourists into London and creates an estimated £120million for the economy.
Footage also shows the moment a bus stop collapsed during the carnival yesterday when a group of revellers danced on its roof. A huge crowd watching people on top of the Kensal House bus shelter on Ladbroke Grove were heard to gasp and exclaim in shock as the top gave way and the revellers fell onto the pavement, nearly crushing four people below.
Two people suffered minor injuries but did not need further treatment after the incident, which came at the end of ‘family day’ which saw bright and dazzling costumes as the carnival procession made its way along the streets.
A woman also gave birth in a side street near Europe’s largest street festival before paramedics took the mother and her newborn child to hospital.
Revellers walk past a pile of rubbish during Notting Hill Carnival in west London today as two million revellers are expected to take part in Notting Hill Carnival
Revellers walk past a pile of rubbish made up of take away boxes and drinks cans during Notting Hill Carnival in west London
Crowds pack the streets at Notting Hill Carnival this evening as millions are expected to visit the festival before it ends tonight
Samba dancers prepare before the start of the Notting Hill Carnival in west London this afternoon as thousands lined pavements to watch
London’s Notting Hill Carnival, the largest street carnival in Europe, returns to the capital after a break due to the Covid pandemic
The bus shelter on Ladbroke Grove in West London can be seen starting to collapse as several people walk underneath it
A large pile of rubbish is stacked up at the end of Carnival as people make their way home as Notting HIll Carnival comes to an end
More people then join the woman to dance or stand on top of the bus shelter during the Notting Hill Carnival yesterday
Dancers during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years after it was thwarted by the pandemic
The mounds of rubbish spilling out of a bin and onto a pavement in Notting Hill on the final day of the Carnival as a fence also looks damaged as food boxes, drinks cans and pineapple mugs are seen among the mayhem
A carnival reveller wears a pharaoh outfit with a whistle in his mouth as thousands walk the streets of the west London this afternoon
Some 13 steel bands, 72 mast bands, six Brazilian bands, 36 sound systems and 300 stalls are involved in this year’s festival return
Revellers pictured walking along Notting Hill today, where thousands have gathered for the return of the popular festival following a three-year absence
The carnival first started in 1966, when about 1,000 people attended, and is famous for its celebration of Afro-Caribbean traditions
Performers in striking outfits dance along the streets as huge crowds watch on during day two of Notting Hill Carnival this afternoon
Police officers watch on as thousands roam the streets of Notting Hill in west London today – the second day of the carnival
Rubbish mounts up as carnival-goers leave litter during the family day at the Notting Hill Carnival in London on Sunday
Performers pose before the start of the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
Boxes are pictured stuffed full of garbage as more spills on the floor including cartons from drinks and takeaway containers while the walls behind are pictured with graffiti
Performers pose at the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as thousands of people descend on the area
Carnivalgoers put on a colourful display as the carnival weaved its wave through the streets of Notting Hill this afternoon
A man adds to rubbish piled up on top of a telephone cable cabinet during the Notting Hill Carnival in west London today
Notting Hill Carnival attendees dressed in yellow and black take part in Europe’s biggest street party this afternoon
Making up for the lost time during the Covid pandemic, hundreds of thousands lined the streets of west London for the famous festival
Rubbish from Notting HIll Carnival stacked up ready to be cleaned on Sunday just as people return home and before even more mess is made on Monday during adult’s day
Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street carnival in Europe and an estimated two million people are expected to attend over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend
Revellers pose before the start of the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today which has returned to the streets for the first time in two years
A police officer stands on duty as performers in costume take part in the Notting Hill Carnival on the main parade route today
Performers prepare to take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London on the August Bank Holiday Monday today
Performers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London today as revellers gather in the capital
Performers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as thousands of people descend on the area
Notting Hill Carnival performers dance along the main parade route in West London today as the festival continues
Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Notting Hill Carnival performers dance along the main parade route in West London today as the festival continues
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which has returned to the streets for the first time in two years
A dancer prepares to take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which has returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Performers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as thousands of people descend on the area
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
A carnival goer during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which is back after it was thwarted by the pandemic.
A young girl tries on a carnival goer’s costume on the London Underground during the Notting Hill Carnival this morning
A performer in costume poses for a selfie ahead of the carnival on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
The Notting Hill Carnival event map shows the location of the judging zone, safety zones, street trading and sound systems
A police horse who died after collapsing while on duty at Notting Hill Carnival yesterday evening has been named as Police Horse (PH) Sandown alongside a picture of him
Meanwhile one video showed two men punching each other before being pulled apart by others, after people around them were dancing and singing ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’ to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
In addition, a police horse died on duty last night after collapsing at about 9pm. The animal received emergency care but died at the scene. It is too early to determine the cause of death and there will be an investigation, officers said.
Scotland Yard also revealed today that officers had made 76 arrests as of 7am this morning – including 19 for assault, four for sexual assault and grievous bodily harm and ten for possession of an offensive weapon.
The total number of arrests at the 2019 event was 353, compared to 374 in 2018, 313 in 2017 and 454 in 2016. The Metropolitan Police said the most recent carnival in 2019 cost it £8.6million to police. The festival does however bring hundreds of thousands of tourists into London and creates an estimated £120million for the economy.
Meanwhile, officers were seen comforting the woman before paramedics arrived and took the mother and baby away in an ambulance.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 18.45 on Sunday 28 August to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.
‘We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority.’
MailOnline has asked for an update on the condition of the mother and baby.
Pam Small, 54, came from the US for the carnival and was dressed in yellow feathers and an intricate sparkly costume at the Adults Parade today.
She has been travelling to the UK for the carnival for nine years and is elated to be back after Covid.
She said: ‘I love everything about it. The people, the culture, the diversity – it’s really special to be here.’
Clayde Tavernier, 23, was wearing a blue-feathered crown and bystanders stopped to dance and take photos with him.
The Dominican dancer, who attends every year, said: ‘Carnival is the time to be myself, to express who I am. I came all the way from Dominica to be here and to have fun.’
Iona Edesiri Thomson and Neve Kearneg, both 18, from London, were following the parade up Ladbroke Grove while wearing make-up featuring Caribbean green and yellow to represent the Jamaican flag.
Ms Thomson said: ‘We’ve been since we were little kids and this is the first time since Covid. The people are so fun and I love the food. People cooking their culture’s food is really amazing.’
Ms Kearneg added: ‘Usually Britain is very white but going to the carnival shows we are a multicultural nation and it’s also great for tourism, which helps our economy.’
Walking in the parade was Rolando Ponde, 34, who was wearing white platform heels and was covered in white, purple and pink feathers and matching diamantes.
He said: ‘Carnival is special because it introduces people to their roots, to their culture. We have our community here in the UK and at carnival we can all come together.’
Sharon Decairos, 54, and sister Samantha Decairos, 53, were sitting on camping chairs next to people celebrating on the road wearing Caribbean accessories.
Sharon Decairos said: ‘With Covid we were all stuck inside. This is what we were missing.’
Her sister added: ‘We can finally experience our culture again.’
Yesterday kicked off with members of the Emancipated Run Crew – dressed in green in tribute to those who died at Grenfell – beginning the parade and marking the official launch of Notting Hill Carnival.
There was plenty of entertainment for the crowds, with music, dancers and brass bands, while floats meandered through the roads in the area
Hundreds of dancers took part in the parade wearing flamboyant costumes in a triumphant return for the event after a three year absence
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the carnival had ‘become one of the world’s biggest street festivals and part of the very fabric of this city’. But he added that the event had been hurt by the cost of living crunch
Carnival goers during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Participants in costumes arrive at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
Performers take a selfie while waiting to take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London today
A carnival goer during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
A performer poses before the start of the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today
A woman wearing a colourful feathered costume takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival this morning
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London this morning
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Performers prepare to take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Carnival goers during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Police officers stand near boarded-up shop fronts ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Performers in costume wait to take part in the carnival on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival in London today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
A woman waves and films with her phone from a window as performers take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival today
Crowds of young children blowing whistles danced down the streets with their parents in tow. Co-founder of the club Jules Stephenson said: ‘It (the atmosphere) is electric – everyone is so excited about carnival being back.’
The two-day festival has had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Elsewhere, Carina Charles, 40, a nurse from Basildon, said: ‘I like the togetherness of the people and the mixture of the culture.
‘My Caribbean music, the soca music is what I love the most. Everybody is jovial – they are excited after coming out of lockdown after three years.’
Different sound systems dotted around the streets of West London entertained the dancing crowds as revellers smiled to the booming music.
Small children standing on the doorsteps of their houses waved Jamaican flags and waved at passers-by.
Shauna Walsh, 38, who lives in Kensal Rise, said: ‘The atmosphere has been really uplifting and warming – it is nice to be back.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘As a Londoner I’m really pleased carnival is back.’
He said carnival was celebrating Caribbean culture, heritage, and history and there was a ‘pent up’ demand for festivities this year.
He added: ‘We think it’s going to be the biggest and best ever.’
But Mr Khan also warned the cost-of-living crisis had affected the carnival.
He said: ‘We are seeing those who want to have floats, those who want to have sound systems, pulling out because they can’t afford to pay their bills.’
Participants in costumes arrive at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the festival continues
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today as the event returns after the hiatus due to Covid
Notting Hill Carnival performers in feathered costumes are seen on a platform at a London Underground station today
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London this morning as the carnival returns after a Covid-related hiatus
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
A carnival goer during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
A performer arrives to take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Notting Hill Carnival performers in feathered costumes seen travelling on the London Underground this morning
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Performers prepare to take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London this morning
Notting Hill Carnival performers in colourful feathered costumes pack the streets of West London this morning
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London today as others take pictures of them
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Notting Hill Carnival performers in feathered costumes are seen on a train at Earl’s Court Tube station in London today
Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London this morning as the event returns this year
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
Notting Hill Carnival performers in feathered costumes are seen on a platform at Earl’s Court Tube station in London today
Performers in costume wait to take part in the festivities on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival today
A carnival goer during the Notting Hill Carnival in London today, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years
Notting Hill Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets before the start of the main parade today
A young girl tries on a carnival goer’s costume on the London Underground during the Notting Hill Carnival this morning
Yasmin Evans and Jordan Stephens pose before boarding the Spotify x Socaholic float at Notting Hill Carnival today
A reveller takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London as the festival continues
Notting Hill Carnival performers in feathered costumes are seen on a platform at Earl’s Court Tube station in London today
Police officers stand near a boarded up building on the main parade day of the Notting Hill Carnival in West London today
Performers wait to take part in the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West Londo this morning
Carnival performers prepare their costumes in the side streets today in front of a poster remembering Grenfell victims
Notting Hill Carnival performers make their way to the front of the main parade in West London this morning
A reveller takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in West London as the festival continues
Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance as people arrive for the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival in London today
Farah Mokaddem, 32, travelled from Geneva to attend Notting Hill Carnival this year. She said: ‘I always wanted to go here.’
She added: ‘The atmosphere is very animated: everyone is on their balconies and on the terrace. And people of all ages are watching as people go past.’
Paul Wright, 36, an account manager from Ealing, said: ‘There’s a great atmosphere, everyone seems to be having a good time. I think there’s more people here for a good time rather than any incidents.’
He added that it was a ‘nice thing’ where everyone came together and had a nice time. Mr Wright joked: ‘The weather can always be better.’
