First Prize at Ryde Illuminated Carnival 2025
Asian Global UK proudly joined Equals IW for the 2025 Beach of Dreams project. Together we took part in Ryde Illuminated Carnival on Saturday 30 August 2025. The project was part of a UK-wide coastal arts festival to celebrate the history, cultures and future of our coastlines in a time of climate change. Our costumes showed the colours of the sand and sea featuring the shoreline, sea life and the wildlife found around UK beaches.
The team of 45 people came from across the UK. They travelled from Portsmouth, Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight to join the parade. Creative Hearts United organised a group of 14 dancers from Leeds and Harrogate. This was their second year performing at Ryde Illuminated Carnival.
The Yorkshire Filipino Group (YFG) troupe shared the Pintados tradition with the crowds. They wore colourful costumes and performed lively dances. “Pintados” means “painted ones,” a term given by Spanish colonisers to tattooed warriors from the Visayas region in the Philippines. The Pintados Festival keeps this tradition alive with body paint, music, and dance that honour bravery and culture.
The YFG Cultural Dance Troupe regularly performs at major cultural events. These include the Bradford Barrio Fiesta, London Barrio Fiesta, Cheshire East Barrio Fiesta, and Ryde Illuminated Carnival. Creative Hearts United runs yearly workshops for the YFG troupe. Rehearsals begin in spring and combine traditional and modern dance styles. This mix creates exciting performances that connect old and new. Creative Hearts United proudly support YFG and Ms Joeace Kristine Ang-Siao (Ms Yorkshire).
Ten Asian Global UK Pageant Queens joined the parade this year. They included Ms Isle of Wight, Ms Hampshire, Ms North London, Ms Chelsea, Ms Westminster, Ms Yorkshire, Ms York, Ms Nottingham, Ms Berkshire, and Ms Worcester. All wore stunning Beach of Dreams costumes that delighted the crowds.
Aireen Gauntlett, Asian Global founder and project joint lead shared “I am delighted to have brought together people from all around the UK who are connected and supporters of Asian Global UK, to take part in the carnival with some coming to the island for the first time. Everyone has had an amazing positive experience, enjoying the carnival spirit. The crowds cheering us and clapping us was wonderful. Winning a 1st prize was and is unbelievable. My heart is full of happiness and I am so proud of our achievements.”
Mark Cox project joint lead said The weather was wet and soggy. Blustery winds at times tested us but we bravely faced it and the reward was priceless winning 1st prize for best group entry of five or more group members.”
We have photos
Ryde Carnival is the oldest carnival in the UK. It began in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Its Illuminated Procession is the final carnival of the summer. This spectacular event fills the streets with light, music, floats, and costumes. Thousands of people watch and cheer from along the route. Even with the rain, the 2025 carnival was a bright and joyful celebration.