Chapeltown - a garden of paradise
Chapeltown will become a garden of paradise this weekend during the annual Leeds West Indian carnival, with an array of colourful princes, princesses, flowers and peacocks.

Children from the Chapeltown community play scheme and from four local schools have been working with University of Leeds volunteers to create magical costumes for the carnival. The children, aged between five and 12, have formed a troupe which will take part in the festival procession and then perform live on stage at Potternewton Park this Bank Holiday Monday.

Since June 120 children have worked with University of Leeds staff and student volunteers and costume designers from the Leeds West Indian Carnival Association to design and create their own costumes.

The Carnival takes place annually in Leeds, involving adults and children across the city. It starts with a procession through Chapeltown and Harehills and culminates in Newton Park where they will be world music, world food, live dance performances and a host of other family-orientated activity. This is the second year that University student volunteers have been involved in the event.

University of Leeds project coordinator, Sarah Lewis: “The children love taking part in this project. It allows them to use their imaginations and creativity and learn about working together as part of a team. It’s also a great opportunity for the student volunteers to work with young people and take part in such a vibrant community event”.

The procession leaves Potternewton Park at 2pm on Monday and further festivities continue in the park when the procession returns at about 6pm.

Notes for editors
The 120 children taking part in the University of Leeds and Leeds Carnival Association troupe come from Chapeltown Community play scheme, Chapelallerton Primary, Hillcrest Primary, Brackenedge Primary and Woodkirk High.

Photo Opportunity
There will be an opportunity to photograph the troupe in full costume before the procession at 1.15pm in Potternewton Park.

For further information, contact:
Ruth Burke-Kennedy, University of Leeds. Telephone: 0113 343 3636, E-mail: r.burke-kennedy@adm.leeds.ac.uk