Inspirational Islanders: Nicole Hurrell, Shademakers

Nicole is an events producer at Shademakers Carnival Club UK. Shademakers UK are one of the leading carnival companies in Europe, renowned for their work with kinetic structures, termed ‘Dancing Structures’.

Sandown Bay is my favourite place on the Isle of Wight. I love it here because it’s where I grew up and spent most of my childhood down on the beach or in the park, it is such a beautiful place to be.

There are so many events on the Island that we take part in, but a special one for me would have to be Rhythmtree Festival, it really gives a different feel to a festival on the Island and it is very relaxed and magical.

Attending Sandown Carnival at the age of nine dressed as a showgirl shaped my life. From that memory onwards, I have since achieved things and been to places I would never have dreamed of. By taking part with family and friends in the carnival, this has led me on to more experiences. I have never loved being a tiger, horse, swan, butterfly, comet or peacock so much!”

See Shademakers in action at the annual Hullabaloo event, an unusual combination of the arts, sciences & heritage together with the madcap antics of carnival & seaside traditions.