Honouring our roots: The Future of St Pauls Carnival
Over the past year, we have achieved something meaningful. We have listened.
Through community gatherings, one-to-one conversations, and ongoing open discussions across St Pauls, a clear message has emerged: Carnival belongs to the community. It does not belong to a committee, a small team, or a single generation.
It is, at its core, a celebration of African-Caribbean culture and history preserving this for present and future generations alongside a commitment to reflect evolving sentiments of our younger generations.
Ultimately, this means that the current organisation is the guardian of Carnival. That word is important. It reminds us that Carnival is something we hold in trust for the community benefit, shaped by the past, experienced in the present, and to be protected for the future.
A Year of Learning
Following this phase of reflection, we’ve looked honestly at what has worked, what hasn’t, and what needs to change if Carnival is to be preserved for future generations. The community has provided us with four vital principles which we are committed to, namely:
Keep it grassroots.
Create real opportunities locally.
Be transparent.
Build something sustainable.
So, that’s what we are doing.
Behind the scenes, and in collaboration with the community, we are creating a blueprint for the long-term sustainable future of St Paul’s Carnival. This includes the commitment to regain charitable status. This isn’t just a legal change; it’s about strengthening public trust, governance, and long-term stewardship.
A New Model: Local Leadership on the Ground
One of the biggest changes is how we approach delivery, not just on Carnival day but throughout the year as a community-centric organisation. Instead of centralising everything, we are developing a model that empowers local individuals to take the lead in areas where they already excel. This includes:
A strengthened committee structure.
A network of community ambassadors who help shape and oversee activities.
Local organisations actively participating in programming and delivery.
Clearly defined roles and responsibilities so that everyone knows their
position.
This approach does not aim to divest responsibility; instead, it promotes collective accountability and creates opportunities for emerging leaders to grow and eventually take on stewardship roles within Carnival. This is a vital element of our sustainable approach and encourage succession planning through harnessing the talent, dedication and enthusiasm which exists on our doorstep.
We want local people not only to attend Carnival but also to shape it and host activities. They will manage interactions and represent their streets, networks, and heritage.
This is ownership in action.
Threading Past and Present
Carnival has a rich history that encompasses Windrush stories, sound system culture, elders’ wisdom, and young people’s voices. We aim to preserve this depth while also applying lessons we’ve learned about scale, finance, and governance to guide our future. Our commitments include living within our means (this means ensuring financial sustainability and responsible management of risks), clarifying funding and risk, strengthening internal systems, and creating opportunities throughout the year rather than just on a single day.
It’s important to note that all these discussions and plans are borne out of a time when many major events have been unable to continue due to funding and finance pressures. The fact that Carnival has been able to transcend these external pressures is testament to the depth of feeling and passion for Carnival and all it represents from our community.
Back to Basics: Collaboration as Strength
For Carnival to continue thriving and expanding, it must not rely solely on a small circle of individuals. Returning to fundamentals involves doing things correctly, working within our capabilities, and building steadily rather than overreaching. Most importantly, it calls for teamwork. Carnival flourishes when responsibilities are shared among stakeholders, ambassadors, local partners, and residents within a clear and supportive framework. This isn’t about retreating but about progressing together.
Collaboration isn’t just an aspiration; it’s essential for securing Carnival’s future.
Moving Forward Together
This marks a new beginning rooted in humility and ambition. Our goals are to rebuild trust, create opportunities, and forge something enduring for future generations. Carnival thrives when the community leads, through parades, stories, music, and food that celebrate the histories of African-Caribbean peoples.
Ricardo Sharry
Interim Director