Saturday’s weather forecast is looking changeable but no amount of rain can dampen the mood at this weekend’s Notting Hill Carnival. Europe’s biggest street party is rolling into town with a message of diversity and inclusion at its heart.
Its roots have always been in Caribbean carnival, and it was initially founded following race riots in the west London neighbourhood in 1958. Of course, that powerful message has taken on greater significance given the events of the last few weeks, involving far-Right riots in parts of Britain.
Carnival is in many ways a celebration of London itself. A place where people from all backgrounds can come together — spectacular outfits optional but encouraged — and enjoy the food, music and good vibes. Matthew Phillip, Carnival boss who first attended the party as a baby in a buggy, sums it up: “At the end of the day we are all human beings and it’s about coming together to celebrate.”
Top marks for London
GCSE students always have a little longer to wait to get their results, but for many today, that makes it all the sweeter. Pupils in the capital have once again topped the regional league table. London was the only region in England where more than a quarter of papers were awarded 7 (A) of above, with 28.5 per cent achieving the grade.
All credit must go to the young people, their parents and teachers for these results, which speak not only to their hard work, but also to the strength of London’s schools system. The results are even more impressive considering this cohort was severely affected by Covid-19 lockdowns and the ensuing remote learning. The cost-of-living crisis has also had a major— and often deeply uneven — impact on pupils. Whether going on to study for A-levels or an apprenticeship, the future is full of possibilities.
How to sleep tight
Sleep: we all want more of it, yet work, children, or simply something too good on the screen prevents us from ever quite getting enough of it. Let that change.
Our Brave New World podcast this week features Professor Russell Foster, director of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, on the science of sleep. And in today’s paper, Professor Foster answers all your questions, from how much is enough to whether you’re allowed to read a Kindle in bed.
The key takeaway? Yes, sleep is essential to health. Failure to get enough will impact just about everything humans do. But there are small changes we can all make to get better at it. And stop aiming for the fabled “perfect” night’s sleep. It will only keep you awake.
