Welcome to the one big party to which everyone’s invited

The Leeds West Indian Carnival, to give it its full title, is now in its forty-fifth year.

Yesterday the event attracted 25 troupes from around the UK, who pulled out all the stops to take part in what has become the largest Caribbean carnival of its kind outside of London.

Themes included the Olympics, Diamond Jubilee and nature.

Samantha Hudson was crowned official carnival 
queen.

Carnival creator Arthur France, now aged in his seventies, was among the vivacious throng of men, women and children that bounced out of Potternewton Park to the beat of Caribbean music shortly after 2.30pm.

Mr France organised the first Leeds Carnival back in 1961, as a remedy for homesickness for the island of St Kitts. He said: “Today Leeds Carnival is so much more than I ever expected. It is no longer just a homesickness remedy for Caribbeans.

“Carnival belongs to the entire city and is one big party that everyone is invited to.”

He added yesterday: “It’s been hard work. Organising a carnival isn’t easy.

“It’s hard work but important as we celebrate the emancipation of our forefathers from slavery and by being here today we make sure they didn’t die in vain.”

Meanwhile Europe’s largest carnival, in Notting Hill, London, was marred by at least two stabbings.