Anyone with flyers, tickets, photographs and memorabilia of various carnivals in the borough over the years are asked to contribute to an upcoming display at Vestry House Museum, writes Liedson Moreno Gomes
Vestry House Museum is collecting photographs, flyers, videos, tickets and personal memories connected to Caribbean Carnival traditions in the borough as part of a new exhibition due to open in autumn 2026.
The display is being co-curated with GB Carnival and will explore the influence of African and Caribbean cultures on carnival events in Waltham Forest over the past three decades.
Organisers are keen to hear from anyone involved in the Young People’s Caribbean Carnival or Leyton Carnival between the 1990s and mid-2010s.
The museum said contributions could include photographs, posters, programmes, newspaper cuttings, drawings, film footage and other Carnival-related memorabilia.
Items collected will become part of the Waltham Forest Archives, helping preserve local stories and cultural histories for future generations.
The deadline for submissions for inclusion in the display is Monday 15th June 2026.
People were able to contribute physical items to the archive or bring materials to one of several collection days earlier in April and May, where they were digitally scanned and returned to their owners.
Those who were unable to make those collection days or would like to find out more are invited to email: [email protected]
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