Cally Carnival a big hit! Revellers’ new skills

Published: 16 July, 2010

THE first ever Cally Carnival was branded a resounding success this week as residents turned out to enjoy the fun – and leave with new skills.

The plan, for every visitor to go away having learned something, ­originated from staff and volunteers at the nearby Hayward Special Needs and neighbouring Lumpy Hill ­adventure playgrounds.

They roped in hula hoop makers, experts in chess boxing, a gardener who had run the Lumpy Hill allotments, graffiti artists and all sorts of creative people who were willing to pass on their skills.

Visitors learned to screen print, make hula hoops from scratch and decorate them, make costumes, hats, dream catchers and belts, plant their own gardens, build wigwams, as well as the secrets to playing a wise game of chess.

Ellen Vellacott, who helped ­organise the event, said: “The essence of the day was for people to come along and learn something. We just wanted to show the positive aspects of the area.”