Thursday, 5 December 2024

UPDATE APPLICATION WITHDRAWN: Application for pre-Carnival weekend event in Fryent Country Park to be considered by Brent Council. Comments close on January 1st 2025.


 The venue: Upper Hydes field (Fryent Country Park) from Barn Hill Conservation Group map

 


 Event layout

 

Event organisers have applied to Brent Council for an open air event, attended by up to 3,500 people, in Fryent Country Park to celebrate the start of next year's Carnival season.  Consultation closes on January 1st 2025 for an event that takes place on the weekend of July 5th and 6th.

The organisers describe the event:

J’ouvert is a cultural festival to mark the opening of the carnival. It is an important ancestral tradition that still exists in countries such as Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, the French Antilles and other countries around the world. The event is design to display our cultural identity and tradition to people globally.

 

The first Jam J’ouvert was held at Cranford Community College in June 2018. The event was a tremendous success, as people from different ethnicities BME community and communities attended the event. Approximately 2000 patrons attended the event, as this was the first time such an event was held in London.

 

In June 2019, the event was held at the same venue, as it was the ideal location to hold such an event. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020 the event did not take place. However, the event resumed in 2021.

 

Jam J’ouvert is an opportunity to come along and dance to the pulsating rhythms of Steel bands, African and Caribbean music, celebrate the culture, be adventurous, and have a fun time. There are other aspects to enjoy such as our food, beverages, live entertainment, and body painting. Mingle UK Ltd has been building a reputation for quality events across London since 2016. These events include Mingle All White at the Cavendish Banqueting Suite, Mingle Beach Wear on the River Thames London, and The Annual 473 Camo Wear at the Tottenham Leisure Centre. As event’s organisers, we pride ourselves not only on providing a great occasion, but a high-quality community experience to all nationalities and demographics.

 

The London Borough of Brent is a diverse borough where people choose to live and work. Therefore, it is important that they are given the opportunity to share our culture.

 

• To dramatically improve on building better community relationship and encourage people from different ethnicities to integrate and enjoy the diverse nature of the event.

• This event will help to improve and maintain our cultural identity, as this is the first event of its kind in the Borough of Brent.

• Promote positive energy throughout different communities within London.

 

Hello Summer Saturday 5th July 2025

 

• This is a new event which was introduced in 2022. The vibe of the event is a welcoming to summer season in sophisticated chic style.

• This year the dress code is pastel colours accompanied with matching decor and photo opportunities including 360 photo booths.

• There will be local and international Soca artists, (Soca means the Soul of Calypso). Also, represents a fusion of African and Caribbean Kaiso, Calypso and South Asian rhythms. The Soca acts will perform on the main stage on the event.

• There will be a designated VIP area for the patrons to take photos with their favourite artiste and performers.

 

Jam J’ouvert Sunday 6th July 2025

 

• Traditional face and body painting will be carried out as part of the J’ouvert tradition.

• The event will include elements of traditional food and beverages being sampled and sold at the event.

• Live artist will be performing during the event.

• Live amplified music will be played during the event.

 

Cultural/religious events have been held here before and a long time ago there was an annual Brent Countryside Day that was abandoned one year because the fields were water-logged. It never reappeared. Recently there has been controversy over the use of the field for Event Day parking when public transport was disrupted.  Given its financial position Brent Council has adopted a policy to maximise income from its parks.

The short period for consultation, and it taking place over the holiday season is meeting criticism from residents.

The overall event would start at 10am and finish at 9pm on both days. Dance would take place from 12 noon until 9pm and the sale of alcohol between 12 noon and 8.30pm.

Organisers have submitted a slideshow of arrangements, embedded below as a PDF. Click on the X bottom right for a full page view.

 

 

 LINK TO APPLICATION WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST 

Brent Council states:

Representations (comments) will usually be expected to relate to at least one of the licensing objectives.

The objectives are:

·       preventing crime and disorder

·       public safety

·       preventing public nuisance

·       protecting children from harm

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who thought that the natural wild park would be good for a festival? Pity the wild life can't be consulted as I'm sure loud steelbands and 3500+ alcohol fuelled revellers will have an effect on their natural habitat. Not the easiest place to get to by Public Transport! This has to be a joke.

Anonymous said...

Are there not protected status restrictions on the Country Park? Wildlife ? What a lack of responsibility towards our natural park donated for the use of the residents. This is the creeping misuse of our park. Interested to see Brent is on one of the worst places to live in the country. We can see why. What an awful idea.

Anonymous said...

As a local resident for over 60 years, I embrace all festival activities, which our rich culture communities have enjoyed over many years. I am looking forward to attending an addition to the borough, which every aspect of businesses in the surrounding area will benefit.

Anonymous said...

Why not use Roundwood Park

Anonymous said...

Brent needs to talk to Royal Parks about the well established mechanisms and policies that they already use to ensure that green infrastructure is fully restored by those who events profit post such events.

Anonymous said...

They tried this last year but the event never took place. The park will be closed to regular dog walkers for the weekend (an inconvenience) and transportation to the event (long walk from Wembley Park station) would affect numbers.

Anonymous said...

Guess there will be a sizable car park planned. Lets hope it doesn't rain as cars would really tear up the park.

Anonymous said...

It's a stupid idea, the promoters clearly are amateurs and have no clue as to what this entails. J'Overt means morning and is usually an event held on the morning of Carnival not 7 weeks ahead in a field, miles from any local business's or public transport. It will never happen.

Anonymous said...

This is not financially viable for 3,500 people over 2 days and no camping lmfao. Mingle UK Ltd are clueless.

Anonymous said...

I am surprised that the Parks Department and Licensing are actually entertaining this idea in the first instance,

Anonymous said...

If they think they’ll make money they’ll entertain anything.

Why not seek permission to hold the event on the concourse around Wembley Stadium it’s ideal for a parade and has toilets and stations nearby.

Anonymous said...

Yes they could parade along Olympic Way from Wembley Park Station to Wembley Stadium concourse - loads of parking, toilets and public transport.

Anonymous said...

The link to Brent Council doesn’t appear to be working .

Anonymous said...

In addition to significant environmental concerns of holding a festival in a protected nature reserve and habitat damage, Mingle have a poor track record. The 2019 festival was held in Hounslow, it led to many complaints and issues with anti-social behaviour, poor crowd control and fly tipping. Mingle committed to improvements for the 2022 festival, but there were more problems and complaints, this subsequently led Hounslow council to reject their 2023 application - full details are publicly available on the Hounslow website.

Martin Francis said...

Watch this space for an update that may explain why...

Martin Francis said...

LICENCE APPLICATION WITHDRAWN https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2024/12/breaking-mingle-uk-ltd-licence.html

Anonymous said...

Great result! Thanks Martin for sharing