On Sunday I visited the Nottingham Carnival, it’s a superb event. I got to the event about an hour before it was due to start and made my way to the Cricket Pavilion on the Embankment as I knew this is where many of the Carnival participants got ready for the parade.
While I was looking for strangers I saw my friend Wendy, the Mayor of Nottingham, she beckoned me over and asked me if I would take some photos for her (she was opening the event , cutting the ribbon to start the procession. She asked me if I would take a shot with a group of people who had been making flags with some refugee women. I took the group shot and then had a chat with one of the organisers, Lia.
Lia is an artist and had been working with
some Afghan women and children in Mansfield, creating silk flags for the carnival. Lia ran 4 workshops and created 12 flags. Unfortunately, due to cultural differences (words of one of the organisers of the parade), the refugees were not attending the carnival. Funding for the workshops was provided by the Arts Council of England. The flags were inspired by nature and will be exhibited at various Arts venues in the East Midlands.
You have quite a kinky Mayor in Nottingham, Phil. She is an attraction even without the carnival costume. She is beautifully dressed for the event and she will treasure your lovely capture of her on the occasion.
Love the costume and flair of Lia!