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Our friends at Urban Wilderness CIC in Longton asked us to flag this.
Of course we will…
Join the Carnival! Longton Carnival & Pig Walk Parade: Sunday 21st April 2024
Longton Community Carnival is back for a second year, and groups, performers, and local residents can get involved! A full day of free family activities will take over Longton Town Centre with Warwick’s Funfair, food stalls, two stages, and the afternoon will feature the Pig Walk Carnival Parade.
Isla Telford, Co-Director of Urban Wilderness CIC said: “We are delighted to be able to bring back the Carnival and Pig Walk Parade again in 2024. The first year brought nearly 9,000 people into Longton on a Sunday, which was a total joy to see. New partners are getting involved this year, with Duchess China offering factory tours, and Gladstone Museum opening for free and hosting family theatre.”
The organisers are looking for local performers for the stages, community groups to join the parade, and volunteers to get involved with making items for the carnival parade and supporting with information on the day.
Laurel Gallagher, Co-Director of Urban Wilderness, said: “The Pig Walk parade celebrates the story of Aynsley driving a pig through the centre of Longton to win the land for Queen’s Park and the money to build Longton Hospital. We work with world-class artists and local communities to fill the Strand with colour and music, and there’s still time to get involved.”
The Carnival is part of a wider project to support the cultural and social regeneration of Longton Town Centre, funding in part through the UKSPF fund. It aims to provide opportunities for people to connect, celebrate their town, and support local businesses and communities. It also is a partner in Without Walls, a national network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England.
Leader of the city council, Councillor Jane Ashworth said: “We are delighted that UKSPF money has enabled Urban Wilderness to organise another brilliant, free event for the local community. Last year, thousands of families visited the town to enjoy the festivities and I understand that the Pig Walk was especially popular. It’s great to hear that so many local businesses and organisations have chosen to support the event this year, too.”
Jenny Harper, Co-Director of Urban Wilderness CIC said: “Longton has so much going for it with good transport links and parking opportunities, and a brilliant community of independent businesses, charities and active groups that meet monthly at Longton Town Forum. The Carnival was one of many efforts last year that proves Longton has fresh ideas for the future of high streets. We’re looking forward to welcoming people in their thousands again for a day of free, family-friendly fun.”
Sheila Cowell, Chair of Longton Community Partnership (LCP), said: “LCP are delighted to support Urban Wilderness to deliver the Carnival. Our volunteers had so much fun last year and we would encourage individuals to get in touch and join the team.”
Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke South, said: “Great to hear that Longton Carnival & Pig Walk Parade will return this year as part of local celebrations of Longton's unique and outstanding history. Last year's parade was a huge success with a fantastic attendance from across the city and beyond, including significant local support from community groups, businesses and performers. I am pleased to see also that this year, Duchess China and Gladstone Museum will be partnering with Urban Wilderness to deliver another fun packed day of events. It is particularly great to see the UK Shared Prosperity Fund being used to support events such as this as part of continued government investment in boosting local creative skills, supporting our town centres and restoring local pride."
So, the editor has it in his diary, just needs to where something pink now… He’s on it…
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thanks for now,
Jerome, the editor
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