Handsworth Carnival

Yesterday I was on duty in brum again for the Handsworth carnival. It's a duty that i'd not done before.

We arrived at Perry park in Birmingham shortly after 10am and were directed up towards the stadium where we were based. After a few hellos, we had our briefing. It looked as if we'd got a nice stint at the back of the procession, reliving the Solihull crew, then being relived ourselves. So off we went to our first point, which was fairly uneventful. After a while, and after seeing several drivers get in a flap about the road closures we received word that the procession had started. As the procession came past we were struck by how 'samey' it all appeared. The formula seemed to be truck pumping out reggae followed by a few dancers in costumes. Not really a patch on the Godiva procession really.

We relived the crew at the rear of the procession and proceeded to follow it along the route. It seemed to be traveling at a snails pace, but everyone looked to be having fun. In the end we ended up following the procession all the way into the park and finally some five hours after leaving, the carnival completed it's 2.9 mile journey. I've no idea why it took so long but my left leg sure was aching after 5 hrs of clutch control!

After we'd returned to the park there was chance to stretch the legs and have a drink. However no sooner that we'd arrived it seemed like we were off out again. This time it was transporting a patient to hospital. After we'd got back, it was off to the standby point for a while. We treated a few minor casualties before getting the radio message to return to base. Just as we were getting ready to return, we received word of a collapse in the crowd. So off we went to investigate. After treating the patient, ad loading them on board the ambulance, we stood down and returned to the medical center. This time there was no chance for a break ass we were required to convey the patient to hospital. So off we went again. In the end we were stood down from the hospital and returned to Coventry from there.

When we got into the garage, there was a flood! It seems like the gaffer had been playing with the new ice maker. I've got to break the news to him in a bit.