Our thanks to Hannah Ray from New Carnival, for sharing with readers her reflection of the past year and hopes for 2025. Ed
New Carnival is a not-for-profit community interest company based in Ryde, Isle of Wight, for the past decade, we have been an Arts Council ‘National Portfolio Organisation’. We have developed a diverse range of events that connect with and celebrate the creative spirit of our community.
Our flagship events include the Isle of Wight Children’s and Young People’s Mardi Gras Parade and Ryde’s Winter ‘Merry and Bright Festival of Light’.
The Story of Carnival
Each year, our projects are shaped around a theme and in 2024, we focused on The Story of Carnival, drawing connections between the rich history of the Island’s carnival traditions, which date back to 1897, and the global carnivalesque celebrations that have spanned centuries.
Carnival, in all its forms, is a celebration of togetherness, the chance to break free from everyday routine. Whether it’s Christmas traditions or the exuberant displays seen at carnival festivals worldwide, these celebrations reflect the enduring human desire to connect, to belong and to experience the thrill of revelry.
Remained true to its core mission
This year, New Carnival has remained true to its core mission: to engage communities, enhance lives, and create positive change for the future.
In 2024, we engaged with 3000 people, this number does not include the many audience members who attended and enjoyed our events, underscoring the reach and impact of our work.
Despite the challenges in the world today, I feel hopeful when I see the power of everyday people coming together. The success of our events is always a collective effort, and we are deeply grateful to the volunteers, teachers, artists, community members and local businesses who give so generously of their time and resources. At New Carnival, we know that creativity improves well-being, and this drives everything we do.
A dedicated team
At the heart of New Carnival is a dedicated team of five staff members who value collaboration. Highlights in 2024 include a creation of a large Jane Austen puppet, working with the Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, inspired by the legacy of the famous author.
We also had the privilege of learning from the renowned puppet master’s at Thingumajig Theatre to bring to life our new Green Man puppet.
For Mardi Gras and Ryde Carnival, we partnered with the Isle of Wight’s Indonesian Community to explore the art and symbolism of batik festivals, then sharing this knowledge with a local community group. We were also treated to sample incredible Indonesian food!
A year of collaboration
Our partnerships did not stop there. We worked once again with the 432 Nomads group in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight Pride, Out on an Island, IW Cultural Education Partnership, and the Winchester Hat Fair. Local organisations such as Independent Arts, Natural Landscapes, and Aspire Creative Hub also joined us on various projects.
We place a strong emphasis on working with schools, colleges, and youth groups. Teachers and educators are a constant source of inspiration, fuelling our creativity and helping us engage young people in meaningful ways.
A notable development in 2024 has been the continued growth of our youth group, which emerged in 2023 with additional funding from the Arts Council.
Sustainable Fashion Show
Through regular arts and crafts workshops, this group has flourished, building both creative skills and confidence.
A resulting event is the Sustainable Fashion Show on Sat 17th May 2024 at Appuldurcombe House, where we will showcase a project that explores the links between haute couture fashion and bespoke carnival costumes.
Our creative volunteers have been a driving force
Behind the scenes, our creative volunteers have been a driving force. These passionate intergenerational artists, work tirelessly at our workshop in Ryde to bring ideas to life.
Whether crafting intricate costumes or building giant puppets, the dedication of our volunteers is unmatched.
We were especially excited to celebrate the achievement of one of our youngest members, Kira Lacey, who recently won a national Millinery Headdress Making competition.
Learn new skills
In addition to our events and collaborations, New Carnival is committed to offering skill-building opportunities through short courses.
As an Isle of Wight Adult and Community Learning provider, we deliver up to eight subsidised courses each year. This spring we have courses on: Social Media Promotion, Sustainable Carnival Arts, Circus Props Creation and Performance Skills, and Creatives Tutor Training.
Folktastic – The Wheel of the Year
As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited about a new project — Folktastic – The Wheel of the Year, exploring the rich traditions of folk celebrations, past and present. This two-year initiative will delve into the origins and meanings of these enduring traditions, investigating how they connect us to one another and to the environment.
In 2025, we will shift our focus to “Folk Stories and Legends,” uncovering the Island’s rich folk heritage through art and performance.
The IW Mardi Gras on 5th July and the Merry and Bright Festival of Light on 5th December 2025 will feature artworks and performances that reflect these fascinating stories and traditions.
Dark skies exhibition
Looking to the future, we are continuing our work to raise awareness of the Isle of Wight’s unique dark skies. In March 2025, we will host an exhibition at the old NatWest Bank in Ryde, showcasing work created by local youth and community groups.
The exhibition will explore nocturnal wildlife, the constellations, and the importance of the starry skies for our circadian rhythms and overall well-being.
Become a Board Member
At the start of 2025, we are feeling optimistic. Our commitment to making a difference in our community, particularly for the children and young people of the Isle of Wight, remains strong.
We are currently seeking new board members to help shape the future of New Carnival.
If you have expertise in areas such as art, performance, music, business, finance, health, environmental or education sectors, we would love to hear from you.
The role is voluntary, requiring attendance at four quarterly meetings and approximately six hours of work per month. In return, we offer training opportunities, expenses reimbursement, a nice cup of tea, and plenty of biscuits
Here’s to an optimistic 2025
We wish everyone a happy new year. Here’s to another year of creativity, connection, and community.
For more information on any of the above please visit our website or email [email protected]
