The following is the text I sent late on Tuesday 1st January to the ILFORD RECORDER following a thrilling and exciting day from 8am till 5pm at London's New Year's Day Parade. I was invited by the Mayor of Redbridge to join the float to take photographs.
Here is the text:
The theme for London’s New Year’s Day Parade on Tuesday was 'London welcomes the world’ and the Mayor of Redbridge brought together a team that mirrored our multi-cultural Borough to win third prize in the competition for floats and performers.
Emblazoned on the sides of the float were the photographs of some of the well-known celebrities who have lived or worked in Redbridge - from Winston Churchill to Noel Edmonds, from Dame Maggie Smith to Sylvia Pankhurst.
Performers included the Black Ice Group from Woodford and Sakthi Fine Arts, whilst the Nostalgia Steel Band had the crowds swinging, swaying and dancing.
Said Councillor Debbie Kaur-Thiara, Mayor of Redbridge: “I am grateful to the talented team of adults and young people who put the float together and who danced and showed great athleticism throughout the parade.
"As our float came into view, the steel band set the crowds dancing, swaying and singing - they were a great tonic on a cold day.
"The Boroughs of Sutton and Havering came first and second in the competition - but we were delighted to win the third prize of £8,000 which will go to my Mayoral Year charity ELHAP (Every Life Has a Purpose) which aims to make life brighter for children and young people with disabilities in East London and Essex. It was a splendid fun day to start the New Year!”
