Erection date: 24/8/2018
A tribute to Notting Hill Carnival pioneers
Europe's largest multicultural festival takes place on the streets of West London every August Bank Holiday weekend. The roots of Carnival began as an artistic expression by people from Africa and its Diaspora celebrating emancipation. The Notting Hill Carnival is a re-interpretation of Trinidad's carnival that evolved from the political and artistic resistance to colonization.
The integrated framework for Notting Hill Carnival involves live performances in 'Five Art Arenas': 1) Mas 2) Steel Pan 3) Calypso & Soca 4) Static Sound Systems 5) Mobile Sound Systems.
The 70 names highlighted on this plaque include: Carnival Committee Administrators, Steel Band Leaders, Pan People, Mas Band Leaders, Costume Designers and Sound Systems.
They are a small, but important, representation of the countless individuals (especially women) who helped to shape and create the history, tradition and legacy of Notting Hill Carnival.
{A list of 69 names, in no obvious sequence.}
* and to the innumerable carnival contributors, volunteers, stewards, stall holders, revellers, radio DJs and friends who helped to develop and establish the Notting Hill Carnival -
Thank You!
Nubian Jak Community Trust in association with Carnival Village Trust and Westway Trust
Claimed to be the world's largest blue plaque - and we ain't arguing.
Three of these names on the plaque are highlighted in yellow: Russell Henderson, Sterling Betancourt and Ralph Cherrie. We don't understand why.
Researching these names we learnt a lot about carnival. Some individuals have returned year after year. The names fall into three main categories: music makers (pans and sound systems), mas(querade) costume designers/makers and organisers/directors - all essential roles. So many people have come together, over so many years to create this event of joy and celebration. The Notting Hill Carnival is an astonishing achievement.
Site: Notting Hill Carnival pioneers (1 memorial)
W10, 103a Wornington Road, Faraday House, Venture Community Association Centre
We haven't actually seen this massive plaque ourselves and don't know where it currently is.
It was unveiled at the western end of Portobello Green on the Friday at the start of the 2018 Bank Holiday Carnival Weekend. After the unveiling it was apparently moved to the Venture Community Association in Wornington Road (the site of Britain's oldest Pan Yard, built in the 1950s). This was intended to be temporary but we cannot trace the plaque being moved elsewhere so that's where we've placed our pin.
We think both the photos on this page come from the unveiling, of which have another, wider, shot.
Sources include: .
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