Peterborough community carnival returns after 40 years

A carnival celebrating African and Caribbean culture is returning to a city after more than 40 years.

The Culture Community Carnival, in Peterborough city centre on Saturday, has been described as a “celebration of happiness and togetherness” by its organisers.

Culture Community founder Precious Graham was “excited” to bring the event back and said, “it was so needed” and wanted the “next generation to experience it.”

The event will kick off with a colourful parade from the Town Bridge at 10:00 BST, followed by live entertainment including DJs playing Afro beats and steel drums, art workshops and diverse food stalls in Cathedral Square.

Ms Graham, a primary school teacher, set up a Saturday school teaching black history to young children.

She saw a “need for children” from ethnic minorities to learn about their traditions and history and “be proud of their heritage”, she previously said.

Talking about the event, which is believed to have been last held in the 1980s, Ms Graham said the organisation has received “huge support” from people in the city.

“We have people from outside the city coming to attend, and we hope it is going to be an amazing event,” the mum-of-five said.

“This has to be the start of something. It needs to be an annual thing, and Peterborough needs to get on the map and be a city that brings a carnival every year.”

Maurine Nash, who lives in Peterborough, attended the last community carnival and said she felt “proud” that it was making a return, adding that she can “feel the excitement of joy and colours”.

“I might have been 12/13 years old when it was last held in the early 1980s when we attended”, she said.

She recalled being “excited to attend and meet people who look like you, from a similar culture, and the atmosphere was electrifying”.

She added: “I feel amazing that it has returned. So great to see young generations being involved in this carnival.”