In the shadow of Grenfell, we asked locals what Carnival means to them this year

This weekend, two million people will descend on West London for the 51^st Notting Hill Carnival. It’ll be the usual celebration of West Indian music, food and culture but this year something will be markedly different. The burnt-out husk of Grenfell Tower will overlook proceedings, casting tragedy over Carnival. Something you’ll see as soon as you step out of Latimer Road station to the sounds of floats and horns and Supermalt whistles and Lord Gelly’s soundsytem.

This is something that unites many of the locals I speak to about Carnival. “So many people will see it ‘cause when you stand on the platform it’s right there. They’ll literally be welcomed by it,” says Ploy Henderson, who was born and bred in the block next to Grenfell. “People will be partying in the streets under the sky coffin, there’s no escaping it,” says Lady Love, a DJ and resident of Kensington and Chelsea. “Many streets are effectively open shrines and places for reflection or communal healing,” echoes another local, Hannah, of the photographs, flowers and 'Have you seen…?' posters that are everywhere around the area.

What is most disconcerting is that for these people there is no escape: their lives will forever be swept up in the ashes and the smoke, in the cries and in the hollow halls of the tower. 21-year-old Zahra Shamji tells me of the impact the Grenfell disaster has had on her life. She lost a friend in the fire and has had to live in hotels and temporary accommodation for the past two months, displaced from her family home in Lancaster West Estate where she has spent her entire life.

“Things have changed quite dramatically in our area. Almost overnight my neighbourhood doesn’t feel the same… It feels dead, I can’t hear kids playing outside, I don’t see a lot of my neighbours in the block. It’s a ghost town and seeing the tower all burnt like that has made me feel sad. I have nightmares at night fearing for those at the top that didn’t make it.” She goes on to say that for her, Carnival doesn’t feel right this year. Understandably, she isn’t “in the mood to be happy and dance.”

It was for this reason that Greg Hands, the Tory MP of Chelsea and Fulham, ardently declared that it would be “inappropriate” for Carnival to be held this year. But as Lady Love told me, “Local Tories have called for Carnival to be moved, because of Grenfell. Before Grenfell they were calling for Carnival to be moved for other reasons. You could conclude that they are not Carnival and they don’t want it whatever the reason. This is why it’s more important than ever. We will not move, we will not be socially cleansed. We will come together, celebrate and pay tribute to those who were killed.”

Ms Corzo, also a resident of Lancaster West, speaks of the fear of social cleansing, remarking that “if you were to take away Carnival because of this [the fire], it would just play into what they want. The erosion of a community… And in a way that plays into the reason that Grenfell happened in the first place.” Another resident, who didn't want to be named, goes on to explain that “the community feels so let down by the state but they will not let the state rob them of anything further, Carnival included.”

Fears of gentrification penetrate many minds here. This is part of why people have come together over the tragedy: they are united in their resistance to being moved, forgotten or vacuumed up when the inevitable comes and the tower is dismantled (due to take place by the end of 2018). Sense of community has been heightened in this pocket of London and for some, this means that Carnival should go ahead as normal. A former Grenfell resident I spoke to who wishes to remain anonymous succinctly stated that “Carnival for me has always been a time to celebrate and connect with people and I hope that continues to happen this year in a way that is respectful to the community.”

Another local reiterates this, explaining: “I’ve been to carnival almost every year since I was born, my daughter often takes part in a band and dresses in costume. I can't see it being anywhere else in the world and I wouldn't want it to be. Notting Hill is its spiritual home and it will always belong there. It wouldn't be the same anywhere else. That being said, I think it will be hard this year but it must go ahead in the same place it always has to reinforce the community spirit”.

There is no doubt that Carnival will feel different this year. It’s been announced that a silent tribute will be observed in the area – with floats and carnival goers keeping silent as they move past Grenfell Tower. Those attending are being asked urged to wear green as a sign of respect and solidarity. As crowds swarm into the area, we must remember that those who have suffered need to be respected and protected, now more than ever.

Alice Finney is a freelance journalist. Follow her on Twitter

Lawrence Abbott is a freelance artist. Check his website here