Project

Redditch Carnival Float – St George’s School with Reimagine Redditch

The Concept

The traditional town carnival has enjoyed a revival in recent years, which the community groups we connect with have been keen to support.

The carnival is a fantastic opportunity for people to co-create and to celebrate the borough’s vibrant cultures and community groups.

Reimagine Redditch connected the centrally located St George’s CE First School with our artist Sarah Edwards from Spare Room Arts. Pupils from the school took part in design workshops with Sarah.

Together, they designed and produced a parade float for the Redditch Carnival 2024.

Connecting with the community

The pupils told us they wanted to do something creative, together, that would celebrate the cultures represented in their school and communities, as well as their learning at school and their life experiences.

They also wanted to be part of a colourful and lively celebration event that helped bring people together for some fun.

We commissioned artist Sarah to lead workshops with the pupils, in school, to explore the themes and artistic mediums of greatest interest to them.

The pupils chose the theme of Bollywood – the Indian cinema and film industry.

The Parade Float

Early on the morning of the Carnival, pupils from St George’s joined artist Sarah and volunteers to decorate the parade float.

The group worked together to quickly transform the giant vehicle into a colourful and vibrant platform for celebrating culture and spreading joy.

The float won first prize on the day – a reflection of the infectious energy and enthusiasm of the young people who provided the heartbeat to this project.

The Carnival

The 2024 Redditch Carnival proved to be a lively and colourful reflection of the borough’s creative spirit. It also acted as a symbol of the pride people feel for their town, their communities and their cultures.

The streets were lined with supporters; waving, smiling, singing and dancing together.

The Impact

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the co-creation workshops with pupils and to the construction and decoration of the school’s parade float.

The Reimagine Redditch float with St George’s School was just one of many collaborations which helped to bring the 2024 Redditch Carnival to life.

The wider enterprise of organising the whole Redditch Carnival, and of generating support and participation, was undertaken separately by the Redditch Carnival group.

Joanne Bussey is the Redditch resident who led the organisation of the carnival. She said: “It was lovely hearing from a child in the parade say ‘It was the best day of my life’. Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing the carnival parade to the community of Redditch.”

Redditch Resident, and Reimagine Redditch volunteer Reacher, Lorraine Hidderley, said: “It was simply the best, especially coming up Unicorn Hill on the float, and seeing all the people looking so happy. I remember being in the carnival over 50 years ago. Let’s continue to bring back that true community spirit to our great town of Redditch!”

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