On Stage at Nottingham Carnival 2025: One Love, One Heart

There is nothing quite like standing on stage at Nottingham Carnival.

The colour. The music. The energy in the air. The sound of different cultures, generations and communities moving together as one.

Compèring the Nottingham Carnival Troupe Stage 2025 was an absolute honour. I love my job as a compère, but moments like this remind me why I do it. It’s not just about holding a microphone. It’s about spreading the good word. It’s about unity.

The minority don’t want us to unite.But when we do, we prove something powerful — that together, we are stronger in our numbers.

The haters can be noisy. Social media can be noisy. Division can be noisy. But love? Love is louder when we choose it.

And at Carnival, you feel that!

What Nottingham Carnival Really Represents

Nottingham Carnival isn’t just an event. It’s one of the largest participatory arts celebrations in the city. A not-for-profit community organisation powered by volunteers, performers, schools, troupes, sponsors and supporters who pour their time and heart into making it happen every single year.

Supported by Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council, and shaped for decades with the involvement of Tuntum Housing Association, Carnival has grown into something truly special.

Hundreds of young people from across Nottingham take part. Different communities, different backgrounds, different cultures — all coming together to create one spectacular weekend of colour, music and expression.

Behind the scenes? Months of voluntary effort. Costume-making. Rehearsals. Planning. Community organising. It is grassroots creativity at its finest.

Carnival represents unity in action.

In a world where division can feel amplified, Carnival stands as proof that community still wins.

When we dance together, sing together, celebrate together — barriers soften. Conversations open. Pride grows.

Love always wins.

Being on that stage, looking out at the crowd, seeing families, elders, young people, performers in full costume — it filled me with gratitude. To be trusted to hold space, to guide the energy, to celebrate the troupes and artists… I don’t take that lightly.

I am humbled every time.

Because unity isn’t just a hashtag.It’s work.It’s intention.It’s showing up.

And Nottingham shows up.

❤️ oNe LoVe ❤️#OneHeart#LetsGetTogether#AndFeelAlright