My parents tell me I was conceived during Carnival weekend and that must be the reason it is such a major aspect of my life!

I have never missed a Notting Hill Carnival in my entire life, and I take have taken part with Fox Carnival Band for the last 8 years.

I am very involved in making costumes, customising t-shirts and facepainting, but my favourite part of Carnival is dancing. I love to make the audience smile when they see us wave in the air our poles, flags, or whatever we are carrying. It gives me a real sense of achievement to see a project go from an idea to a show on the streets of Notting Hill.  

Our ideas are quite simple compared to some of the more traditional Trinidadian floats. We don’t have the space to store big costumes, but we do we have the freedom to dance, have fun, spread joy, and not have to carry or wear something too big.

It is the one time of the year that me and my friends can dance in the middle of the street, without being knocked over by cars. It feels like being part of a huge army of freedom and fun with everyone wearing the same t-shirt. The smell of spicey food, the sound of Soca, and the sight of happy faces is what Carnivalists like me live for!