Nearly 100 local people took part in annual event despite terrible weather
Nearly 100 Enfield residents – including the mayor – braved wind and rain to represent the borough at London’s New Year’s Day Parade event yesterday (Wednesday 1st).
Organised by local businessman and optician Garry Kousoulou on behalf of Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam, the theme for the borough’s parade entry centred around Enfield’s diversity, celebrating its many different cultures with banners and T-shirts taking the form of a multi-lingual eye test chart, including some of the 88 languages spoken locally.
A colourful new logo for the borough was also designed by students at Southgate College and was adorned by parade participants.
Explaining the idea behind the parade’s theme, Garry said: “Looking at the eye chart on the wall, it hit me.
“Every day, I help people see clearly. Why not help people see our community’s beautiful diversity just as clearly?”
The result was a “spectacular parade entry,” Garry said. “It’s like wearing our community’s heart on our sleeves.”
Spurred on by Garry’s enthusiasm, many different local people and businesses were inspired to get involved. They included Bengali Dancers, Gardener’s Trees, Centre Transport Sales, Red Eyewear, Gordon Thomas Opticians and Supple Feet. All T-shirts were printed for free by Direct Boot.
Two local charities, Mission to Raise Awareness for MS and Family Based Solutions, were represented at the parade. Environmental group N0CO2 even pledged to plant trees in Madagascar to offset the parade entry’s environmental impact.
Cllr Islam was impressed. “What Garry has created goes beyond a parade entry,” the mayor said. “It’s a living, breathing testament to Enfield’s spirit of inclusivity.”
Garry added: “When you see hundreds of people marching together, wearing these shirts, speaking different languages but moving as one community – that’s magic.”
For more images from the parade:
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