Notting Hill Carnival.

The biggest carnival in Europe, and this is my first visit having been deterred in the past by reports of serious crime and near riots.

The day starts with a tremendous downfall of rain that has people crowding into any available sheltered doorway, leaving everyone wondering if this was going to be a total washout. For the first time there is also a Caribbean spotlight event staged in Hyde Park being strongly supported by the Mayor, if not wholly by the Carnival organizers, who believe he is trying to move the event there permanently because of the increase in numbers of visitors. He does have a point though because numbers have swelled to over 600,000 and there is a massive police presence here, as well as road closures that affect the local population.

Many people have questioned the validity of holding this event in a neighborhood that has changed vastly since the original concept over 20 years ago. This is a very rich white area with property prices going through the roof in recent years. What is very evident from walking through the closed areas is the amount of private security guarding the apartment blocks, and the shops have nearly all been boarded up in case of a riot.

When the procession starts it is an amazing scene of smiling faces, loud music and dance. The costumes defy belief and all are a credit to the black community's hard work throughout the previous year. The crowds give a warm reception and are well served with endless amounts of food being freshly grilled on the street stalls, as well as having plenty of drink available from pubs that have brought the beer taps out into the open.

It has been a really good day with few arrests for minor crimes, and I say a big thank you to all the people involved for a really good time, including the Mayor, the police, and to all the poor residents for moving their cars away from their homes and coping with the disruption.

This is a remarkable event not just for black people, it is for everyone to enjoy!