HARROW Council have paved the way for a Harrow carnival next year by committing the money for a project co-ordinator to oversee the event, which is planned for June or July 2005.

"Under One Sky" is intended to reflect the diversity of Harrow and will blend the characteristics of a "Mela" (an Asian cultural gathering) and a Caribbean-style carnival. The co-ordinator, who will head a steering group and be paid a salary of £25,000, will be responsible for involving schools and community groups to make the event as inclusive and high-profile as possible. At the cabinet meeting last Thursday, councillors said that the Millennium celebration at Byron Recreation Ground and the parade at the Roxeth Show in July this year were examples of what was possible.

Mike Padmore, the Council's Cultural Strategy Manager, said: "The ethos of the event should be one of celebration, joyfulness and creativity, attractive to all age groups, particularly school children. It should combine the excitement of a parade with the social interaction of a gathering. A number of neighbourhood parades could culminate in a central park or green urban space where the gathering could take place. The two aspects of the event might take place on consecutive days or possibly on consecutive weekends."

The likeliest time for the carnival is late June or early July, in order to involve schools in their summer term and make the most of the summer weather. One suggestion was that it should operate alongside the Harrow Arts Festival, either starting or ending the period of activities.

Councillors from all political parties welcomed the ideas, and stressed the importance of involving the whole community. Councillor Navin Shah, responding to the officer's report, said: "I very much welcome this piece of work and look forward to extending this project to other areas to make it a real celebration."

Conservative leader Chris Mote said: "Under One Sky has the potential to be an excellent and exciting celebration of our borough. It must bring together all the different peoples in Harrow."