Quirky Carnival facts

11 April 2012

The Notting Hill Carnival began in 1964, making the 2003 festival the 39th

It was started by the West Indians and Trinidadians who were facing racial tensions in London during the 1950s.
Dances were organised in halls in North London by Claudia Jones, where Black people, mainly Trinidadians, could come together freely. They joined together with a steel band that played every Sunday at Earls Court’s Colherne pub.
Rhaune Laslett, a well-respected social worker in Notting Hill, invited the two groups to take part in a street festival for the first time.
That small street parade has grown to play host to more than two million people.
The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest arts festival in Europe. It is now only second to Rio.
The route is three miles long.

1: Mas: The costumed processions and floats
2: Calypso: Traditional Trinidadian music
3: Soca: Calypso's modern, more energetic form
4: Steelpan: Traditional Trinidadian instrument which is either static, or worn around the neck
5: Static Sound Systems: Originally from Jamaica, playing a range of music

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Earls Court

Festive Events (including Carnivals)

Kensington And Chelsea

Notting Hill, London

Social Work