St Pauls Carnival to return next year…but not all is well

Ideas and Action 9th May, 2017

Jacob Wells

St Pauls Carnival organisers has announced the return of Carnival for its 50^th anniversary in 2018. But not all is well.

(CORRECTION: This article has been ammended to reflect the statement of St Pauls Afrikan Carribean Carnival.)

Bristol City Council and Arts Council England and the new St Pauls Carnival Community Interest Company (CIC) has announced that they have created a sustainable plan for the festival going forward into its anniversary year. The event organisers are taking over from  St Pauls Afrikan Carribean Carnival (SPACC), who previously ran the Carnival. However funding was withdrawn from SPACC with the council stating they were concerned over the financial management of the event.

With the reins handed over to a newly created CIC, they claim the revived St Pauls Carnival will represent the best of African Caribbean culture, as well as the immense diversity, creativity and vibrancy of its home city, Bristol.

Apuuli, chair of St Pauls Carnival CIC explains;

“It has been a long time in the making but we are so pleased to be announcing the return of St Pauls Carnival. I know how carnival influenced my sense of identity growing up and I want my children and future generations to be able to share in that experience too. In 2018 we will deliver a carnival which returns to its roots and does justice to carnival’s rich history, in a way that is safe and family-friendly. This year we are keen to work with local people and partners to run smaller scale, warm-up activities, particularly focused on children, young people and families.”

In a statement distancing themselves from the new organisers, SPACC, have said that they will be running a ‘Grass Roots Event’ at the Malcolm X Centre of the 1st of July.

The new organisers have the support and funding of Bristol City Council and Arts Council England.

The team are now inviting all members of the public interested in getting involved with St Pauls Carnival to get in touch with ideas for volunteering, performing and community engagement ideas.

Cllr Carole Johnson, director, St Pauls Carnival CIC commented;

“St Pauls Carnival was created to bring sunshine to the streets of Bristol and 50 years later it is as much-loved as ever. We want to harness the positivity and passion from everyone wanting to get involved with carnival and really encourage anyone interested to get in touch via our new social channels, website or to come along to our planning event in St Pauls to meet the board and share ideas.”

The organisers said: “Initial funding has been provided courtesy of Bristol City Council and the Arts Council England. This short-term funding is to support the development and delivery of the 2018 event, celebrating 50 years of St Pauls Carnival.”