Birmingham carnival comes to town

Aug 3 2009 by Vicky Farncombe, Birmingham Mail

IT was calypso time in Birmingham as the carnival came to town.

Organisers said more than 50,000 people headed to Perry Barr yesterday to enjoy the celebration of African-Caribbean culture.

The highlight of the Birmingham Carnival was a Mardi Gras-style procession from Handsworth Park to Perry Park, featuring floats, steel bands and dancers.

Led by carnival queen Sancia Parkinson, aged 17, the spectacle included more than 2,000 dancers clad in dazzling dresses of sequins and feathers.

Morgana Tilling, aged 37, who moved to Warwick in April after living in the British Virgin Islands for 14 years, said it reminded her of home.

“It’s making me homesick,” she said. “It’s our carnival in the BVI tomorrow and it feels just the same. Lots of fun.

“The only thing that’s different is the music. We have more calypso back home whereas this is more hip hop and reggae.”

New Oscott pensioner Elsie Bateman said she never missed the carnival.

“I love it, I come every year,” said the 61-year-old.

“I love the beats of the music, it gets into my heart.