Portsmouth school community comes together to celebrate city's first ever Cultural Carnival

CELEBRATING music and art in style, more than 1,000 schoolchildren rallied together to mark Portsmouth's first Cultural Carnival.
The Cultural Carnival in Victoria Park 
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160968-1)The Cultural Carnival in Victoria Park 
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160968-1)
The Cultural Carnival in Victoria Park Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160968-1)

Excited youngsters aged from five to 11 walked, danced, cheered and chanted through Victoria Park yesterday as music played and the sun shone.

Some played instruments and wore creative costumes showing off pupils’ individual talents.

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The occasion kicked off in Guildhall Square, where students sang a carnival song.

Performances were also given by Pompey Pluckers and a cornet group from Arundel Court.

Portsmouth Music Hub put together the carnival as a celebration of the city’s creative talents.

Hayley Warren, Key Stage 1 and performing arts manager at St John’s Cathedral Catholic Primary, said: ‘It’s really nice to see all the children, who have taken part in music clubs throughout the year, come together for one big event in the daytime, where they can make things, bring instruments and find out what a cultural carnival is.

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‘Many of these children are from the heart of Portsmouth and have not necessarily had that experience. It’s great that the music hub is creating these experiences for the children.

‘It’s been amazing. There’s been a wealth of talent on display.’

Many of the children had made streamers, hats, shields displaying their gifts and talents and their school motto.

Some enjoyed playing brass and percussion instruments.

Sue Beckett, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Music Hub, said it was a wonderful spectacle.

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She said: ‘We are celebrating culture in the city. It’s a colourful carnival.

‘It’s about celebrating what is going on in the arts and cultural scene.

‘There’s been an electric atmosphere.’

The deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Ken Ellcome, was also there.

Cllr Ellcome said: ‘It encourages the children later on in life to be involved in the arts, to be involved in taking part in something like today.

‘The big win for me is seeing many schools have got involved and the excitement.

‘Hopefully this will give the children momentum for the future.’