For many people in Rowner, the Carnival wasn’t just an event…

It was a childhood memory.

It was the day the whole community came together.

Families lined the streets, children waved at the parade, neighbours spoke to each other, and for one day the area felt proud of itself.

But in 2014… the Rowner Carnival stopped.

And an entire generation of children have never experienced it.

We are a small volunteer group the Rowner Renewal Community Events Association made up of local residents, parents, and volunteers who grew up here. None of us are paid. We are simply people who care deeply about our community and want our children to grow up with the same memories we had.

So we made a promise:

We are bringing the Rowner Carnival back in 2026.

Why This Matters

Rowner is a brilliant community, but like many areas it has struggled with isolation, lack of youth activities, and families feeling disconnected.

The Carnival isn’t just a fun day.

It is:

• A safe place for children to play

• A day families can attend without worrying about cost

• A chance for neighbours to meet each other again

• A moment of pride for an area often overlooked

We are also creating:

• Free children’s workshops

• A community heritage exhibition

• Opportunities for young people to volunteer and gain experience

This is about rebuilding community spirit not just entertainment.

Where Your Donation Goes

Running a free community carnival is incredibly expensive, and we have made the decision that families should not have to pay to attend.

Your donations will help fund:

• Insurance & safety requirements

• First aid & medical cover

• Road closures & traffic management

• Children’s activities & workshops

• Stage, sound and entertainment

• Craft materials for kids

• Equipment, gazebos and seating

• Accessibility & SEN safe spaces

Every single penny goes directly into making the event safe, inclusive and free for families.

What Makes This Special

We are not an events company.

We are local residents doing this in our spare time evenings, weekends, after work, and after putting our own children to bed.

Many of us grew up attending the original carnival.

Now we want today’s children to have those same memories.

We’ve already secured heritage funding to record the history of the carnival and collect memories from residents because this isn’t just an event…

It is part of Rowner’s identity.

How You Can Help

If you can donate even £1 it genuinely helps.

If you can’t donate, please share this page.

Sharing is just as important as giving.

You are not just funding a day.

You are helping give hundreds of local children their first ever carnival.

And maybe, years from now, they will be the ones bringing it back again.

❤️ Thank you for supporting your community.

Thomas Emery

Chair & Events Manager

Rowner Renewal Community Events Association