24 Black and White Photos of the Notting Hill Carnival in 1981

   

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean festival event that has taken place in London since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill area of Kensington, each August over two days (the August bank holiday Monday and the preceding Sunday).

 
 
Notting Hill Carnival in 1981
 
It is led by members of the British West Indian community, and attracts around two and a half million people annually, making it one of the world’s largest street festivals, and a significant event in Black British culture.
 
In 2006, the UK public voted it onto a list of icons of England. These black and white photos were taken by Norman Craig that show the Notting Hill Carnival in 1981.
 
 
“Take a picture of me and my mate”

 

Carnival 1980s style

 

Dancing all the way down Ladbroke Grove. Nowadays the parade goes in the opposite direction

 

Dancing in the streets

 

Fancy meeting you here

 

Grooving to the reggae under the canopy on Portobello

 

Kingdoms of the Forest by the Renegades Players (Brixton). Nice hats

 

Kingdoms of the Forest by the Renegades Players (Brixton)

 

Ladbroke Grove in another century

 

Metronome Steel Band

 

Metronome Steel Band

 

Metronome Steel Band

 

Moving to the music on Ladbroke Grove

 

New hat

 

Passing the Globe Cafe in Talbot Road

 

Passing the Globe Cafe in Talbot Road

 

People are watching the face-painting

 

People at Notting Hill Carnival

 

Running repairs to one of the floats. And what's a float made from - scaffold poles, angle iron, wire, rope and an old door

 

Some reggae music going on here

 

Sound system

 

Steel band

 

Steel Scene

 

The Sunshine Shortney