Crime Fears At Notting Hill Carnival Prompt 7pm Finish

Council officials and police will shut down the sound systems at this weekend's Notting Hill Carnival two hours earlier than in previous years, with 7pm being the new cut-off time. With each day's festivities starting at mid-day, the new curfew will allow just 7 hours of partying each day, for what remains Britain's biggest annual street party.

Key places to check out this year include Sancho Panza and Norman Jay's Good Times though with the massive media coverage both systems have attracted, both are likely to be rammed. Another key destination to check out is Talbot Road, the location of the Prince Bonaparte pub and Gaz's Rockin' Blues (where local residents The Chemical Brothers could be spotted dancing last year).

Each year the Bonaparte transforms itself into a club, removing all their tables and featuring sets from DJs of the calibre of Lee Burridge (and in previous years, Sasha.)

Other notable systems include KCC (this year on Wornington Road, just off Golbourne Road) and the Pineapple Tribe (which despite being labelled a soca and raga system, always seems to play trance and even techno.) Rampage's mix of garage, drum & bass and hip hop is always packed on Colville Terrace as is Rapatak on the area's spiritual centre of All Saints Road (which is sometimes dangerously crowded).

Carnival remains a fantastic two days of street entertainment with music, people and action throughout the whole zone. Sunday, despite being called Children's Day is exactly the same as Monday, in sound system terms and overall vibe, except for being less crowded. The Skrufff team recommend going on both days, finding a system you like and staying there.

http://www.btinternet.com/~joeconway/nhc.htm
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