Taking to the Streets

16th May, 7.30pm - Magic Cafe, Magdalen Road
Talks and video around street theatre, its potential, its role in Carnival and regeneration.

Want to Take Part - Act Now!

If you are interested in taking performing at the Carnival - the deadline for filling in expressions of interest forms has been extended to 20th April. So download that form now - from www.cowleyroadcarnival.org and get it back to us asap!

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with the Carnival. here are some of the things you could be doing:

• Helping out with distribution of publicity
• Staffing the information stand
• Handing out programmes
• Helping out with administration
• Being a stage manager
• Assisting performers
• Bucketing the crowds for donations
• Performing

Volunteering for the Cowley Road Carnival is a great way to meet interesting people and your community. You can volunteer for as long as you want. If you have specialist skills such as marketing, event or stage management or fundraising, we particularly want to hear from you!

Contact - carnival@eastoxford.com if interested or ring 01865 203367.

Press coverage

You may interested to see some of the press coverage we have received over the past few months -

The most recent is in the Saturday April 14th Oxford Mail - downloadable on http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.1329208.0.last_chance_to_star_at_summer_event.php
It is entitled "Carnival Call - Last Chance to Star at Summer Event."

Then there is the piece in the March 7th Oxford Mail http://www.oxfordmail.net/search/display.var.1240311.0.carnival_wins_bmws_support.php
Carnival wins BMW Support - piece about BMW agreeing to be Carnival's main sponsor again this year.

We are in discussions with a number of local radio stations about coverage of the event
including the possibility of live broadcasting on the day.

There will be more pieces over the next three months!

Sponsoring the Carnival

The main sponsor of the Carnival again this year is BMW whose generous contribution has secured the return of the procession. However we are looking for more sponsors for the Carnival generally and some elements in the Carnival specifically. It is really important to us to get the support of the local businesses, as it enables us to report to our other grant funders that we have the support of the private sector.

There are various levels of sponsorship with differing levels of return:

Platinum Sponsorship £5000 (plus VAT) and above - join BMW in this elite group of supporters
Gold Sponsorship £1000 (plus VAT) and above
Silver £500 (plus VAT)
Bronze £250 (plus VAT)

If you cannot afford this but can offer support in other ways eg donating goods or services for the raffle, having a collection tin on your premises, then you could become a Friend of the Carnival.

Elements in the Carnival available for sponsorship are stages such as the Community Stage (£5000 plus VAT for a stage in total) , the childrens' area (£4000 plus VAT), sound systems (£3000 plus VAT) and the t-shirts (£1500 plus VAT).
To discuss what you can give and what you would get in return please contact adrian@eastoxford.com

Interested in taking part?

If you are interested in doing something at the Carnival this year - you will need to fill in an expression of interest form. You can download a copy of the form from http://cowleyroadcarnival.org/ - the Carnival's official website. Send it to carnival@eastoxford.com. Any enquiries about the Carnival should be sent to the same email address.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Free training courses to potential food sellers

East Oxford Action, the Carnival organisers, also offer a range of training and business support services (all profits going back into work locally). Luckily enough this can link in with the Carnival. Last year, for example, we provided free Food Hygiene training to a number of people who ended up selling food on the day. The qualification is essential if you are thinking you want to sell food on the day and is available free to most local people. Be warned that certificates take a fair while to come through so it is no good to wait until the last minute to get your qualification.

Anyhow, the courses are....
Food Hygiene - 28th February 9.30 to 4.30
Safer Food Better Business - 14th Feb 10.00 to 2.00
Health & Safety - 15th Feb 9.30 to 4.30
email business@eastoxford.com or phone 01865 203367 and ask for Lati or Alex if you are interested.

Public Meeting a success despite the snow!

Last night's meeting at the Regal Community Centre was well attended despite the snow. People turned out to hear what is happening and contribute ideas and offers of support. Offers made last night included two stages, two DJs with their own sound systems, food, arts, schools and loads of other people and groups wanting to get involved....

We talked about... this year's theme which is 1000 years of Oxfordshire and all the people who have arrived in the County over that period of time andthe different carnival and festival traditions this can represent - this links in with Oxford Inspires and the 1000th birthday of Oxfordshire. We also want to incorporate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Tying it all together is the theme of 'Fire' again this links in with the 100th birthday celebrations which open and close with fire themed events and may be easier to grapple with as a visual idea.

So.. a procession, live music stages, sound systems, street performers, kids activities, food and dance... what more do you want? What can you bring to the event? Let us know.. It won't happen without you.

We'll be posting details soon of how to register your interest in getting involved. We'll also be putting up further details on this year's theme.

Dates for your diary

The Carnival itself will be on Sunday 1 July 2007

The next public meeting will be 6.00pm on Thursday 8th February (venue tbc)

Welcome!

Keep visiting here for news on the 2007 carnival