From Trinidad. Director of the Notting Hill Carnival 1973-1975. He found sponsorship, recruited more steel bands and reggae groups and introduced static sound systems, live music stages and generators. He also increased the emphasis on costumes and extended the route. Some of this was controversial at the time but it transformed the carnival into its modern form.
"In 1973 the Caribbean Notting Hill Carnival as we know it today was established on Acklam Road, facilitated by Anthony Perry and the Amenity Trust. The Carnival office under the administration of Leslie Palmer was at 3 Acklam Road for two years and then moved to number 9 in the mid 70s, when Selwyn Baptiste became director.
Andre Behan has informed us that Leslie Palmer was born as Leslie Stephen Palmer on 21 August 1943 and was known as 'Teacher'. Electoral registers from 2003 to 2006 show him at Flat 16, Westhill Court, Denbigh Road, London, W11 2SJ.
Sources include: which quotes at length from Palmer's Carnival memoirs.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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