Carnival organisation Global Grooves needs volunteers to help get ready for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant

The Tameside carnival organisation taking part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant has launched a final urgent appeal for volunteers.

Global Grooves, based in Mossley, is the only local representative in the spectacular parade in London marking Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary seven decades on the throne.

However, there is, in the organisation’s words, “a mountain of making” that needs to be done for Global Grooves to strut its stuff in front of an international audience.

It is therefore desperately asking anyone who can lend a hand to come forward.

Why is Global Grooves appealing for volunteers?

Global Grooves is planning a spectacular contribution to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant called A Sharing of Gifts, featuring the talents of more than 200 people from across Greater Manchester.

It draws inspiration from across the Commonwealth, including the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and will also feature readily recognisable music, fashion and dance influences from closer to home.

At the head of Global Grooves’ promenading entourage will be a carnival queen in her chariot, followed by giant walkabout puppets, a 100-strong young people’s carnival music group, 50 lavishly-costumed dancers and a sea of giant flag bearers.

However, there is a huge amount of work to be done before the organisation is ready to showcase its skills on the streets of London.

Global Grooves urgently needs people to help get the costumes and props, which include hand-printed batik flags, costumes and the huge walkabout puppets themselves, ready in time.

How can I help?

Global Grooves is opening its studio at The Vale, off Micklehurst Road, every day from 10.30am until 8pm every day until Sunday 15 May to prepare for the pageant.

Then, from 16 to 20 May, volunteers are needed between 10.30am and 6pm.

All contributions would be welcome and anyone who can help out, even if just for an hour or two , is asked to contact Global Grooves at [email protected]

What has the organisation said?

Producer Freya Bennett-Nielsen said: “We need as many hands on deck as possible as the pageant is so close and it’s a really busy time for us.

“All volunteers will work alongside professional artists and makers from Cabasa Carnival Arts to help finish off a mountain of making!

“Absolutely no previous experience is required and if you want to help, we guarantee we can find a really useful job for you to do, and teach you some new skills along the way.

“Carnival is about people and the event itself is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes is where the magic happens, with people making new friends, having a laugh, building their confidence and learning new tricks.

“We would love to see some new faces over the next few weeks and the kettle is already on!”

When is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant?

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant takes place on Sunday 5 June and will be one of the final events of a four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

Winding its way through the streets of Westminster and along the Mall, past Buckingham Palace, it will tell the story of the monarch’s record 70-year-long reign.

The event will be televised around the world and millions of people are expected to tune in to watch the show.