Happy New Year from UKCCA!

As 2021 draws to a close and we reflect on the very recent passing of Dr Violet Cuffy, a key member of the board of Trustees for UKCCA. We look back on the extraordinary passion, dedication and achievements of the UKCCA team in yet another year of uncertainty resulting from the Pandemic.

Our team have done a fantastic job this year continuing to bring creativity and joy to the community through our carnival surprises program, which saw several performances at care homes and sheltered accommodation and a brilliant visit by a flock of flamingos in The Mall with Luton Shop Mobility.

Our schools’ project brought creativity to learning for thousands of school children in Luton and across the UK as part of our new initiative, National Children’s Carnival Week.

We were very pleased to support our Luton Festival Partners in the return of a much-loved community events’ highlight, the Bangladesh ‘Freedom 50’ Independence Festival. We were also honoured to be part of the much-anticipated return of Diwali In Luton.

We end the year happy to say we have some exciting announcements coming in the New Year. UKCCA and Luton International Carnival continue to grow from strength to strength.

I’d like to thank our team, including all our associate artists and consultants, for their hard work. Without them, none of this would have been possible. I’d also like to thank all the schoolteachers, volunteers, children, parents, supportive partner organisations, and those who worked with us to ensure the carnival arts continued to deliver mass happiness far and wide.

On behalf of myself, the rest of the Board of Trustees and the rest of the UKCCA team, we would like to wish you a very happy and healthy New Year!

Hopeton Walker, UKCCA Chair