THE spirit of community alive and well in Harlow says Councillor Mark Ingall, Leader of Harlow Council

The Carnival brings out the best in people. With just under two weeks to go until the Harlow Carnival on Sunday 26 August over 100 residents have come forward to help run the event on the day. They will work closely with Council staff who in addition to their day jobs have been working hard to get every detail of the carnival right.

After a long absence the carnival returned to Harlow last year to mark the town’s 70th birthday and proved so popular we vowed to make it an annual event again. It’s one of those things Harlow Council wants to give back to residents every year – a day of celebration. This year is looking equally exciting with 37 different organisations made up of many local people confirmed as taking part. Hopefully there will be more than 40 organisations on the day. The Carnival is the perfect platform for local groups, organisations and businesses to showcase their talents and work and they will get to do this in front of hundreds of people who are expected to line the streets.

With all those people taking part and helping to run it along with those on the streets watching it, the carnival will truly be the people’s carnival.

The Carnival will set off from Bush Fair Shopping Centre at midday and end in the Town Park showground at around 2pm. Incidentally the Bush Fair Fayre will take place the day before on Saturday 25 August from 10am to 5pm so these two days promise to be a great boost for local business in the area.

From Bush Fair the carnival parade will make its way down Tillwicks Road to Howard Way, past the Stow where it will go down First Avenue and turn into Fifth Avenue before making its way into the Town Park Showground. This will all be in time for the popular Linkfest performing arts festival, which this year will take place on the Showground and Bandstand.

There will be temporary closures on the day to various main roads leading to the carnival route or that are on the carnival route. The road closures are for the safety of those watching and taking part in the Carnival. To reduce disruption the aim is to reopen roads as quickly as possible as the Carnival makes its way along the route. There will be plenty of places to watch and follow the carnival on the day and wherever possible residents are encouraged to walk to the carnival if they can.

More information on the day can be found at www.harlow.gov.uk/carnival Stay updated on the Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages too for all the latest carnival information.

I really am looking forward to seeing you all at the carnival on 26 August 2018. It promises to be a great day for Harlow.

Councillor Mark Ingall
Leader of Harlow Council