Culturepulse magazine issue 28

January 2015

Issue 28

Happy New Year

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Contents We Kind ah People p.3 Tribute to Phyllis Knight p.6 Growing up a Black Girl in Trinidad p.8 Li-Fi technology p.12 Women should have the right to breast feed in public p.17

Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo

Culturepulse is designed and produced by cashewmedia and published by Securisit Ltd.

So 2014 is now a distant memory behind us as we embrace 2015 and move forward with all of our dreams, resolutions and aspirations held close.

As we look ahead towards the coming year, let us reflect on what the last year meant to us. Let us take with from it the memories that helped to shape and nurture us through difficult times. To thank friends, family and loved ones for being there, when it mattered and for those who couldn’t be there, we take comfort in knowing that you were thought of in your time of need.

For those who fell and couldn’t walk the rest of the journey with us, we keep you in our memory drawer, ever reaching to cherish those great and not so great moments that made us cry, laugh and stop to think. We walk, knowing that you went as far as you could and, for that we respect you. For the doubters, we carry on regardless for our dreams and aspirations are held within our own hands and not in yours.

Yet, we would never discourage you from walking alongside us. There is strength in numbers and the more we unite, the stronger we become.

Copyright 2014 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse but of the author/s

Each one, help one.

Happy New Year 2015

For all enquiries, please contact Culturepulse at 07920752131 Email: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk

D.Kalloo Editor

Culturepulse contributors: Nasser Khan Ansel Wong, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, Akilah Holder-Stewart, Rhianna Kalloo, Chris Boothman, David Wears, Michael LaRose, Ron Ramdin, Michelle Yaa, Juanita Cox-Wesmass and Jimmy Kainja, Tessa Robinson, Malaika Crichlow, Angelique Antonio, Mas Assassin, Dorothy Scott and David Rudder You too can become a contributor to Culturepulse magazine, if you have flair for writing and would like to submit an article please contact us at culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk or call 07920752131 for further information.

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We Kind ah People A Review

By Mas Assassin

It is argued in some circles that Trinidad and Tobago does not have an intellectual culture. While there is a culture of political tribalism and plenty debate along such lines in the public discussion, there is not a critical popular public discourse on the history and social significance of art forms such as mas, thus there is hardly ever any discussion on or about the people who made Trinidad carnival the greatest show on earth.

rival any master of art or fashion in Europe or America. Yet there are a lack biographies or documented collections on these men and women and their works.

And even less books on the subject.

While there are articles on various mas men and band leaders written in magazine and news paper articles there are not much books written on the works of these artist or the impact, and importance of their work to carnival history and the history of the wider society.

‘We Kind ah people the Trinidad carnival Masquerade Bands of Stephen Lee Heung’, by George Tang and Ray Funk, Is however a recently published book that has in a small way documented some of the work of the late bandleaders productions.

For example in my personal collection of books, you can find, fashion books on Mugler, Lacroix and Rabanne, art books on Giger, Warol and Chagall, stage set and costume design books on Taymore and Ishioka , and yet for decades I have only ever got my hands on publications s on Wayne Berkley and Peter Minshall when it comes to mas, despite the fact that mas, and mas bands go back to the emancipation period in history.

The book takes the reader on a photographic voyage through some of Lee Heung’s presentations, from 1974 through to 1994, giving some insight of each of those presentations and the people behind them.

The Lee Heung name and presence is an important part of Port of Spain’s carnival genealogy and the history of Trinidad carnival. If Lee Heung and associates was a football club or basketball team it would be an all star team. Lee Heung’s band probably more than any other band boasts some of the most eminent names in mas, to come out of, or work under any one banner.

In the period known as the golden age of carnival alone, there is a pantheon of mas men whose work, talent, productions and philosophies have given Trinidad carnival the reputation of being the greatest show on earth. As individuals, these artists may have each compiled a body of work to 3

Reading this book I got the impression that Stephen Lee Heung, a product of the golden age seemed to have the eye of a strategist, choosing talents to design and work with, that ensured the Lee Heung name was in winners row (top 3) for most of four decades, securing both the lee Heung legacy and the establishment of those that worked under his organisation.

the costumes standards and headpieces shields and capes there is still that impact of the spectacular.

The images also provide evidence that the 20th century was definitely the zenith of expression and creativity in Trinidad’s carnival and if we dig deeper into this period the assent of the golden age probably goes hand in hand with the intellectual rise of the wider society of Trinidad and Tobago.

To understand the creatively epic period in which Lee Heung existed in, and the rich intellectual environment that that flourished during that time, there is a passage in the book that explains the production of the band ‘Japan land of Kabuki’ in 1964 his first band after an absence of several years, the band came,

Comparing the themes and costumes of Lee Heung to those of popular bands today, it is clear that the carnivals of, History, geography, literature, Royalty and nationality has been overrun by a light weight quasi fantasy mas, with the dominating emphasis on an invisible ‘service’ and not the tangible art form that could be photographed and admired.

“...third after George Bailey and Harold Saldenah...some were seriously impressed including the then Trinidad Guardian arts reporter and later Nobel prize winning poet and dramatist Derek Walcott...”

Because we kind of people is published by Tang and Funk in Hardcover, it comes at a somewhat high price of TT475, this can be seen as hefty when compared to Michael Anthony’s ‘The Carnivals of Trinidad and Tobago’, or Hollis Liverpool’s Rituals of power and Rebellion, two titles that come with considerably more history within the pages of the books. (Maybe a soft cover edition may be a good idea)

As a source of information on Lee Heung and his presentations, the book is informative, while it is not a biography, the book does provide a little information on his origins, that he came from a mas family, but nothing on what were the external influences on him. The book also reveals his efforts in exporting mas around the globe.

That being said we kind ah people does ‘hold its corner’ for what it is and will make a valuable addition to any personal library of carnival literature or carnival study collections.

With about 158 photos in 120 pages there is a lot to see of the Lee Heung legacy but it is also evident that there is still a lot that has not been revealed especially of the 1980s which would have been designed mostly by the late Wayne Berkley.

While photos of George Tang, are beautiful and capture the spirit of these past carnivals they lack the quality seen in books such as the late Noel Norton’s book, ‘20 years of Trinidad carnival’ the photos seem dark, sharpness and details are lost in shadows, however because of the scale of 4

Press release: Guy's and St Thomas Hospital staff protest privatisation of pathology services.

NHS Pathology workers at one of London's biggest teaching hospitals are beginning a campaign of protests to stop the privatisation of vital pathology services by outsourcing giant SERCO. Pathology staff at Guy's and St Thomas Hospital are holding daily protests and planning to ballot for strike action against the transfer of almost 700 NHS staff to private pathology company Viapath.

Pathology staff fear that the transfer of staff to Viapath, and internal restructuring of pathology services will put patients at risk, and reduce the quality of the service.

Viapath - a partnership between Guy's and St Thomas, King's College Hospitals and SERCO - has been managing pathology services across the three hospitals for 5 years.

During this time the majority of the highly skilled laboratory staff have remained NHS employees. On 1 st of January they will be transferred out of the NHS. Since taking over management of the service, Viapath has been unable to recruit the highly skilled and experienced staff necessary to run the service, and has had to rely on expensive temporary staff to cover vacancies.

The service has had chronic staffing problems, and is unable to retain staff.

Pathology staff believe that the transfer of NHS staff to Viapath will lead to an exodus of skilled and dedicated staff, and their replacement by less skilled temporary staff. This will put further pressure on the service, and compromise patient safety.

Guy's and St Thomas' Unite Communications Officer Mark Boothroyd said “Our members have repeatedly raised concerns with Viapath and hospital management regarding chronic understaffing, recruitment and retention issues, and reduced staff training and development. These issues are compromising the service and putting patients at risk” “Pathology staff, some of whom have 30 to 40 years of service with the NHS are appalled at the running down of a service which they have dedicated their working lives too. They are prepared to protest and take industrial action as a last resort to protect a vital service for patients.”

“The Trust has the opportunity to pull out of the joint-venture with SERCO and bring all services back in-house.

This is both safest for patients, and the most cost-effective, given how much the hospital has already lost with this misguided privatisation scheme.”

Unite pathology members will be protesting outside St Thomas Hospital Westminster Bridge Entrance daily from 12-2pm, and are planning to ballot for industrial action.

For further information contact gsttunite@gmail.com or Mark Boothroyd at 07812936466 1.

Pathology laboratories are central to the NHS, with blood and tissue analysis used in 70 per cent of all patient diagnoses.

Viapath – a joint venture between Serco and Guy's and St Thomas’ hospital trust and King’s College hospital – is the largest pathology service provider in the UK, processing more than 22 million tests a year in London and Bedford.

2.

There has been a rise in errors and clinical incidents under Viapath's management. In 2011 service exceeded the agreed monthly turnaround times for tests 46 times, with critical risk levels breached 14 times. Clinical incidents recorded in 2012 included one patient being given “inappropriate blood” and kidney damage results bring calculated incorrectly. http://www.corporatewatch.org/?q=node/4550%3f

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In 2011 Viapath made a loss of £5.9 million and had to be bailed out with funds from both Guy's and St Thomas and King's College Hospital. In 2012 Viapath only recorded a profit following a £1.3 million loan from parent company SERCO. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/30/pathology-labs-takeover-failures http://www.corporatewatch.org/news/2013/jul/29/serco-and-pathology-cost-profit

4.

A 2013 internal audit of accounts, uncovered by Corporate Watch, found that in 2012 Viapath may have overcharged Guy's and St Thomas Hospital's by over £1 million pounds. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/exclusive-overcharging-byoutsourcing-giant-serco-costs-nhs-millions-9695342.html http://www.corporatewatch.org/news/2014/aug/28/next-serco-scandal-overcharging-nhs

5.

SERCO is currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office for overcharging on contracts with the Ministry of Justice. http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/nov/04/serious-fraud-office-inquiry-g4s-serco-overcharging

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PHYLLIS KNIGHT: AN EXTRAORINARY WOMAN - AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE “My Alma mater was books, a good library... I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.

Malcolm X I went to the Humanist funeral of Phyllis Knight on Monday 1 December, 2014. I felt that I had to attend to pay my respect to a woman who I admired greatly.

I met Phyllis in 2005 whilst studying at London Metropolitan University. She was neither student nor lecturer, however, in her amazing way she managed to encompass both roles at the same time.

She was a friend and advocate of the Caribbean Studies course and, as such, would attend university lectures all the time, sitting and helping to engage the students in class discussions and, more than that, impart her wealth of knowledge, experience and her love of student life, which was infectious. That passion and zeal for academia made Phyllis stand out.

Phyllis was a tiny, small framed woman however, this woman’s mind and thirst for knowledge made her a giant; once you had met Phyllis you would never forget her, she left that kind of impression and mark on everyone she met. Phyllis was in her 70s when I met her, yet her hunger and love of learning wiped away her years, she was so lively and enthusiastic about all subjects: history, politics, music, whatever was going on, and whatever came up in discussions she was a fully involved participant. Phyllis’s engaging personality, sharp mind, coupled with real humility and genuine kindness kept her young and made her a real pleasure to be around and know.

stand-offish person who was always philosophical. She had worked as a Librarian and saw herself as a guardian of books. Frank said that Phyllis was the intellectual, who herself had proclaimed she was happy to stay in school forever.

Her niece, Amaragita, spoke of her kindness, generosity, and her sense of style and flair for dressing and love of music and dancing.

At Phyllis’s funeral Frank Knight, her brother, spoke of her as being one of seven children who was born in Trinidad. She was, in fact, number five of the seven, and was ten years old when their mum passed away. He said she was a private, but not

Professor Clem Seecharan gave a moving tribute to Phyllis, outlining just what an outstanding student and personality she was. Phyllis had achieved 20 grade As out of the 22 courses she took; she came to

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before Nigeria’s independence. I leave the last impression of this remarkable extraordinary Lady in her own words: “It is hard to explain the difference I felt as a young West Indian girl living and working in Nigeria, and living and working in the West Indies. There was such a sense of belonging that I have not had anywhere else…and that experience of going back into education, surrounded by young people, has been a tremendous opportunity and lifesaver. It was like a resurrection for me when my tutors allowed me to join their course, old as I was…. You need that warm influence and inspiration to serve as a buffer against the negative influences that they get outside. You need to have that, especially nowadays.”

London Metropolitan University to study in 1999 and graduated with First Class Honours in 2002. Clem said that Phyllis was ‘not only bright, but devoted to a life of the mind.’ She had told her tutors that doing this course had saved her life. Clem commented: ‘more than just her academic achievements, I will remember what she contributed by coming back to my classes over a period of a dozen years after she had completed her course, in order to continue to learn and grow and participate in the lectures as well as to help other students.’ He said he would miss her tremendously. He told us that Phyllis had once remarked that she was a mere footnote in our lives but, for him, she was in fact, a major chapter.

Rita Christian, another lecturer from London Metropolitan, spoke with awe and love for Phyllis and read an extract about beginnings and endings and the relationship between life and death, from Four Quartets: Little Gidding by T.S. Eliot. She added that she met Phyllis when Phyllis arrived as a student in her 70s; a woman who she affirmed had such a lively, brilliant and intelligent mind that you could easily forget who the student and who the tutor was, such was her presence in the classroom. Phyllis, she said, challenged you to think in different ways. Rita emphasised that Phyllis’s great example was to show that age was not a barrier to learning, to broadening one’s new horizons and opening oneself to new challenges; and growing old did not mean that one had to stop enjoying life. She concluded that Phyllis demonstrated what Oscar Wilde observed more than a century ago, that: ‘Youth is wasted on the young.’

By Angelique Antonio.

Fortunately, Phyllis Knight contributed to a chapter in the book “When I Came to England – An Oral History of Life in 1950s & 1960s Britain” by Z. Nia Reynolds. In this book Phyllis talks about her time in England and how she had travelled to Nigeria to work at the time 7

GROWING UP A BLACK GIRL IN accompanied by looks of confusion or TRINIDAD incredulousness.

I grew up in Trinidad in the 80s and 90s as a black girl child. To be black in a country that idealizes the curly hair and mixed ethnicity aesthetic is rough to say the least. Although I shared the same parental genes as my sister, who is considered mixed or “red,” what I embodied physically was dark skin and “kinky” hair. It didn't matter that my heritage included French, Scottish, East Indian and African; I was black to everyone who saw me, which wouldn't bother me if I wasn't treated as less than because of it.

I was the daughter of a dark-skinned man who, as a man, couldn't comprehend my female self-esteem struggles. He didn't know that his unabashed preference of my light- skinned sister could truly fuck me up. As my primary example of the male gender and my only other dark skinned counterpart in our immediate family, he didn't understand that not loving me as much as my red sister could damage my mind and sense of self for years. I was also the daughter of a light-skinned mother who, similarly, couldn't fully understand my dark-skinned complex because like my sister, she had gotten the red woman’s preferential treatment her whole life.

I learned to take these jabs and stabs in stride. I learned to live inside my head while I was being ignored to make up loving scenarios and fantasies to cancel out the pain of reality.

It didn’t help that I was the only one in the family who was afflicted with both kinky hair and dark skin. All my cousins were either dark with curly hair, or as Trinis like to say, “good hair,” or red skinned with kinky hair. I didn't have either redeeming quality. I haven't lived in Trinidad in approximately 20 years, but it still amazes me when I visit that this way of thinking is still an underlying attitude of most people.

Not all, but most.

At first, I didn’t know the treatment I got wasn't right; it was normal because it was all I knew. It was normal for my sister to be favored and complimented while I was looked at sadly or with disdain. I could see people's minds churning, wondering how this beautiful woman could have such an ugly child. It must be the father; hence the frequent comment, “oh, this one looks like her father.” As I got older, these occurrences increased as I socialized more.

More and more, comments came from my peers. My favorite was “Allyuh have the same mother and father?” Usually this was

Now, there are ways to be relevant if you are black. It’s all about who you know in Trinidad. If you know popular or important people, have a great accomplishment in sports or academics, have a lot of money or have something everybody wants, then, of course, you can 8

get preferential treatment. You still have to work harder for it while some others don’t have to do anything but just be who they were born to be with the inherent color, class and beauty privilege afforded to them.

preventing this obvious discrimination by class proves that the general process is accepted at all levels of this multi-faceted and ethnically diverse society. This designed “exclusivity” necessitates the need for connections which means that said committee member must personally know you, in order for you to pay for a costume in their band. It is just a roundabout way of discriminating who plays mas with them. It is just as bad as those country clubs and society clubs years ago that only allowed membership through other members in order to keep a certain classes (and color) of people out. I have heard dismissive people say, “Well if you don’t like it, there are other bands to play with” and “Go play with another band”.

But that’s like saying, well there are other country clubs where your type is welcome, so go there. It’s still discrimination. These bands may also discriminate by body size as well as class, so it’s not only by race.

All forms of discrimination are dehumanizing and wrong.

Similar ideas are reinforced in Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival celebrations regarding the kinds of women who are considered beautiful and exemplary. For instance, carnival bands such as Tribe, Bliss and Fantasy only allow registration for a costume through a committee member. Yet again, I have noticed my need to prove my worth rear its ugly head with the dogged determination I put into getting into a band that obviously doesn't give a damn about my money or my rights as a consumer to be able to purchase their goods without first being vetted for approval. This need for social approval is rooted in my early family dynamics. It’s another way to attempt to counter childhood feelings of not being good enough and working hard to prove my worth and belonging. So I put up with the bullshit that Trinis call having links, which essentially means being nice to people who could get you in. Can you imagine being nice so I can spend my hard earned money?

I always had little flickers of awareness like a light bulb flickering in a room before it’s completely flooded with light. There were certain situations where I was completely repulsed by and unaccepting of mistreatment and this had to do with the paradoxical way in which I was raised.

You see, although my father's actions demonstrated a preference for a lighter complexion, his words clearly demonstrated that I was not to allow anybody to mistreat me in anyway. If someone did anything outside the family to hurt me, he would be the first person to rush to my defense. It was quite confusing because the message I got was in the pecking order of the family, I am way down the totem pole but he would not allow anyone outside of the family to mistreat me in any way. To say I grew into a mixed up adult female trying to find herself would be an immense understatement.

The insanity of it all is appalling on so many levels, yet to this day hundreds, if not thousands of Trinis go through this process just to be accepted. This makes me wonder if hordes of us aren’t just fighting to belong. Maybe many of us got the similar message at a very young age that we weren't good enough because we didn't have any redeeming qualities like curly hair or a light complexion and that we must go through the rest of our lives proving ourselves worthy. Maybe mas band exclusivity is just another way to deal.

The fact that the government of my beautiful twin isle nation has no laws 9

My personal awakening truly began when my father was dying and I got to spend two weeks with him. These two weeks, I believe, began my journey of self-love and worth. I had no idea that he held the key to me freeing myself, but then he held my hand for the first time and said to me, “Look we have the same hands, the same fingers, the same colour,” with a look of pride and love. I felt as though a big rock was taken off my back.

in love with myself, I find that I have become more confident in my feelings and my voice, I don’t think anymore that my feelings aren’t important or that I should be dismissed. In the past I would not have been able to openly voice the way I felt or my insecurities, for fear of being rejected, critiqued or dismissed. I wish this same personal awakening and love of self for all, because once you love yourself you can see the beauty in others.

His acknowledgement of us being similar let me know I belonged, that I was not an outsider to be dismissed. When he told me he loved me with such emotion that I thought I was going to burst with feelings I didn't understand because I had never felt them, I completely went to pieces. I didn't know until he said it that I had needed to hear it. Those three words let me know that I was worthy, that I didn't have to prove myself in order to be loved. He loved me! Even though by this time, I was fat, I was black, I wasn't accomplished, I didn't have a lot of money, and even though I was moody and contrary, he loved me simply for being myself.

Needless to say, when I returned to Miami from Trinidad, after his death, I ended the unhappy relationship I had been in within three days. Knowing my father loved me allowed me to reject substandard treatment and it gave me the strength to believe that somebody else will love me for just being me.

By Malaika Crichlow

Malaika Crichlow is a daughter of the twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago. She resides in Miami, Florida and has been for the past 19 years. She is an aspiring author who hopes to publish children’s books, novels on Caribbean life, and books of poetry. Writing has always been a passion and sometimes a distant dream, but always brings her unparalleled joy.

When she is not writing, she is a mother, a nurse, a student, and a lover of life and laughter.

This article was first publish by The New Local Magazine and republish with the permission of the author.

The original article can be viewed at: http://www.thenewlocalmag.com Photo: The Girl I see via Deviat Art

In the end although, my journey to selflove was difficult and still not complete, I have to say I am happy with the progress made and look forward to what the future holds, I look forward to how I mature and how I impart these hard earned lessons to my daughter, who as irony would have it, is light-skinned. I also want to say that I think the people that pass on this classism and colourism, for example the Carnival band owners, are often victims of it themselves and are simply manifesting what they have been taught. As I fall more 10

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Li-Fi, shedding new light on data security greater

data

security,

privacy

and

Professor Haas

from Edinburgh University has unveiled a new technology called Li-Fi. The new technology could prove vital in protecting data against cyber crime and substantially enhance data security.

Li-Fi operates just as Wi-Fi but with light beams. The technology is a spin-off from the University of Edinburgh pureLiFi is an advanced development in Visible Light Communications (VLC).

Using light technology instead of radio waves leverages the fact light is directional and does not penetrate walls.

This means that the technology can only be defined to an area of illumination reducing the risk of data being intercepted.

responsibility.’

As with any new technology, it means that because of its nature, Li-Fi would not be practical to deploy in certain areas. For instance, Li-Fi would not work if you have your phone in your pocket and it would not be cost effective to deploy in unpopulated rural areas.

The system works by ‘oscillating rapidly the light intensity of LED lamps.’ The signal is then a visible light of the LED lamp that is then broadcast as a directional beam by a transmitter, normally located on the ceiling.

Coverage is then within the ‘cone’ of the signal allowing desktop devices to receive the visible light signal and then sending back signals to the access point on the ceiling using non-visible infrared light preventing anyone from intercepting two way traffic of the communication.

Currently, the technology is being used in areas where existing wireless solutions are not practical, such as underwater communications, electromagnetic sensitive environments and businesses requiring high data-secure environments. Those currently carrying out trials with the new technology includes; defence, finance, aircraft manufacturers and telecoms.

So what does this new technology mean for public and corporate internet access? Professor Haas says, ‘Li-Fi signals are confined to closed rooms, while Wi-Fi goes through walls.

It means the attacker would have to be in an overlapping space to access both beams of light. However, with Wi-Fi attacker can record all data within range.’

Read more at: www.purelifi.com

The new Li-Fi technology brings with it a chain of ‘accountability because of its localised nature’ and offers a more ‘secure alternative’ to Wi-Fi. Professor Haas explains that; ‘The inherent advantages that it offers provide a supplement to the emerging need for

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Put Your Business Here

New Briefs….

Competitive advertising rates when you advertise with Culturepulse.

Reading University and OPTIBIOTIX have just signed a deal that would see the university embark on studies on a capsular food supplement, deigned to reduce cholesterol.

For more information about our rates, please contact a member of our team at:

The studies would involve using the Lactobacillus cholestrerol-lowering strain and is expected to be made available within the first quarter of 2015.

culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk or call:

The chief executive, Stephen O’Hara at OPTIBIOTIX said; ‘The signing of this contract completes another milestone in product development as we build up scientific evidence supporting the value of our products in the prevention and management of lifestyle diseases which cause significant global morbidity and mortality.’

07920752131

‘Exploring the Diaspora’

After years of all talk and no action British firms are now set to embark on skills training for their workforce. For many years there have been calls for firms to address the skills shortage crisis yet British firms appeared to have taken no heed opting instead to hire skilled workers from outside the UK.

Cokal visual media ltd

Large Format Print and Installation Service, PVC and Fabric Banners, Roller Banners, Pop-Up Stands, Pavements Signs and Window Graphics.

According the British Chamber of Commerce, who in a recent survey of 3000 firms, found that there was a 92% skills shortage among their workforce. The BCoC reported that almost 80% of the firms surveyed were planning to invest in training in 2015 to address the rowing problem.

Among the most common skills shortages are; leadership management, planning, languages, computer literacy and creativity.

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills welcomed the renewed drive by firms to invest in skills training. The commission said that during 2011 and 2013, training investment per person fell by17% with spending falling from £3,075 in 2011 to £2,550 in 2013.

For further information contact: David 07920752131 Email:davidtkalloo@gmail.com 13

2015 must bring living standards boost as average wage fell £500 in 2014

“We know the Conservative manifesto will seek to make legal strikes so difficult that they effectively end the right to strike. If ever implemented this would weaken the union hand in every negotiation, further depressing wages across the economy.

“Our basic problem is that we have rebalanced the economy in the wrong direction. We have become very good at creating low-paid and precarious jobs, but have failed to invest in good, well-paid jobs that make the most of people’s skills and abilities. “This is why the Chancellor has failed to reduce the deficit. He has been an enthusiastic cutter, but seemed to forget that a low-wage economy undermines the tax take.

In her New Year message, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady reveals that the real value of the average full-time wage fell by £487 in 2014 (from new TUC analysis – full details below).

This means that the average full-time employee wage has fallen in real terms by £2,509 since 2010 – about £50 a week.

She challenges employers and politicians to make wage-led growth a policy priority.

She warns that voters have never been more disillusioned with politics and that rather than an election year dominated by macho-posturing we need a grown-up debate about decent jobs, fair pay, the NHS and whether our children will ever get a foot on the housing ladder.

“In 2015 we need a fresh start. Employers are beginning to recognise that a low wage economy is holding back growth. It is time to turn their words into action because businesses need customers with money in their pockets. Government, employers and unions must work together to promote wage led growth. “This means increasing pay for those at the bottom with a higher minimum wage and spreading the living wage.

“But it also means better pay for those in the middle, and a real drive to create secure, skilled jobs on decent pay rather than relying on zero-hours, involuntary part-time work and low-paid selfemployment to keep the jobless figures down. This needs active industrial policies that help create good jobs and investment in infrastructure we need to underpin success.

In her New Year message TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady says: “Despite the recovery, 2014 has been another miserable year for living standards. The average wage is now worth £50 a week less than when this government came to power.

“And current policies offer little relief. The Office for Budgetary Responsibility forecast, released with the Autumn Statement, shows growth weakening before the vast majority of workers have seen any benefit from the recovery.

“If the Chancellor gets the opportunity to make the deep and rapid cuts he plans for after the election, it will not just damage our social fabric, but hinder recovery just as much as his cuts after the last election.

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Discrimination Law conference 2015 Date and time of event: Fri 23rd Jan 2015 08:45 to 16:00

“In 2015 we should start to reduce the growing gap between those at the top and the rest. That means putting workers on remuneration committees and using the tax system to bear down on top pay.

Venue: Trade Union Congress(TUC) London Costs: £75 per delegate About this event: This high profile annual conference give trade unions, law centres,CABx and othervoluntary organisations the chance to hear from the leading barristers on the latest legislative development and landmark equality cases.

“Voters have never been more disillusioned with politics. This has been driven by macho-politics which I worry will only get worse in the lead-up to the election. What we need rather than soundbites and gaffe hunts is a grown up debate about the issues that really matter to working people – decent jobs, fair pay, the NHS and whether our children can ever afford to get a foot on the housing ladder.

“We already know enough about the manifestos to see that this will be one contest when no-one can say the parties will all be the same. The Autumn Statement opened up a huge choice in British politics between radical cuts and pay freezes versus investment for the future and a strategy for decent jobs, homes and living standards.”

“2015 needs to be the year when we ensure recovery, share its proceeds fairly and start to undo the damage done to our public services and welfare state by the crash and its aftermath.”

Speakers for 2015 are: Keynote address: Professor Sir Bob HeppleQC Age discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination.

Robin Allen QC Equal pay: new legislation and case law Rachel Crasnow Discrimination because of religion or belief.

Michael Rubenstein Disability discrimination: recent developments.

Sean JonesQC Sex and race discrimination: recent case law Karon Monaghan QC The cost for trade unions, law centres,CABx and other voluntary organisations is £75 per delegate* Early booking is strongly advised as in the past this conference has been oversubscribed and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. In order to assist unions to send officers from the regions.

TUC affiliates will receive one free place for every ten booked(the free ticket will be refunded to you once you place the order) Please note we will NOT accept any bookings for this event without payment in advance.* Other organisations may be able to book a place for this conference at a higher commercial rate via Equal Opportunities Review.

For further information, events and news release please visit: www.tuc.org.uk and follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

For more information visit https://discriminationlawconf15.eventbrite.co. uk

Published with the kind courtesy of the TUC

Information about the venue and further information contact Jane Cook, Tel: 0207 467 1394 or Email: jacook@tuc.org.uk

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Caste Wine

Did You Know????

A row has broken out in the home region of one of France most feted wines, Beaujolais Nouveau. The region’s winemakers have become embroiled and divided along class wines and flashy marketing campaigns that accompany the release of Beaujolais Nouveau every autumn.

Did you know that Kodak invented the first digital camera back in 1975?

However, the digital age was responsible for crushing the company after they failed to move ahead in the digital revolution and continued to invest in film. The dominance of other companies who invested and embraced the digital age, such as Fuji helped to bury Kodak who eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

The wealthy producers of the fine Beaujolais crus that improves with age complain that their mass-market counterparts. They claim that those who make the Nouveau version that can be drunk just weeks after being bottled cheapens the association with the glitz around the Nouveau which normally goes on sale on the third Thursday of November.

********************************** Did you know that the humble broiler destined for your plate is worth more in pieces rather than as a whole bird? The US exports to China totals 449,489 tons of chicken parts made up mainly of wings and feet, while Russia imports 2,005,892 tons of leg quarters from the US and Indonesia importing 210,822 tons of feathers. Up until the 90s chicken feet were considered worthless in the US until the Asian markets were tapped.

Ten of the most prestigious winemakers voted to leave the Union of Vintners of Beaujolais and establish their own federation in light of the ill-feeling and jealousy within the caste system of French vineyards. In the past, Beaujolais was noted for key districts such as Chiroubles, Morgon, Brouilly and Fleurie giving Beaujolais its unique class.

********************************** Did you know that there is a supper club hosted by the Basement Galley in a decommissioned 1967 tube carriage at the end of the Victoria Line at the Walthamstow Pumphouse?

The general secretary for the vintners union, Denis Chilliet expressed dismay with those wanting to leave the union. He said, ‘I can’t understand why they are leaving. The illustrious vineyards are the locomotive of the region. Now the locomotive has unhooked itself from the carriages and left with the coal. The Beaujolais Nouveau market is worth over 1.5 million Euros a year.

********************************** Did you know The Walkway at Tower Bridge can be rented out for parties?

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Women should have the right to breast feed in public. ornate desks with seemingly nothing better to do.

In another establishment where the business is catering for children, politely directs mothers to use the disabled toilet where a chair is provided for their comfort, should they wish to breast feed. The audacity to even entertain the thought, yet along implement such a measure is highly insensitive to both mother and baby. It is tantamount to telling someone who buys a sandwich in a cafĂŠ that they have to sit in the toilet to eat.

Photo courtesy Save the Children

To feed your baby is a basic human right, be bottle fed or by the natural means of breast feeding and any mother who chooses to do either should be able to do so without prejudice or being made to feel humiliated when called upon to do so. She should not be at the mercy of any management or staff in any establishment, let alone where mother and child are welcomed.

Why is it the simple motherly act of breast feeding in a country as liberal as Britain, show such disdain and embarrassment by businesses and the public?

It is not the first time a mother has been asked to leave, refrain from or cover up while breast feeding her infant in the public. The latest farce occurred at Claridges in London when a mother was told to cover herself with a paper towel while breast feeding her baby. The incident drew large support for the mother on Twitter however, hardly anyone dining at Claridges offered support. Is this act not denying the child the right to food or, does gentleman folk at the establishment cant bear to see a breast in someone else’s mouth? – and I make no apology here.

We do not need no laws or lobbying for this basic right of a mother, it is pure common sense by any establishment to recognize and appreciate when a child is hungry. If mother and child are welcomed in an establishment it is natural that at some point the infant would be hungry and the progressive thing that would follow is to feed the infant.

Claridges, for this insidious blunder should lead the way in propagating breast feeding or, even have designated areas where both mother and baby feel confident and content when the nee arises for mother to breast feed.

Why is it that women are made to feel humiliated for simply carrying out a basic motherly act of feeding her infant? These draconian rules are drawn up by pompous men who sit and by twiddle pencils behind

D.Kalloo 17

Michelle Yaa's first book Elijah After many years of struggles with

publishing well over 10 years ago but thought it was second rate- there was a stigma of self-published authors being considered 'lepers of the literary world.'

Little did Michelle know that many of the world's top authors were already dabbling with self-publishing and reaping the profits of their own labour.

variuos aspects of life's ups and downs, Michelle Yaa has had a dream come through with her first novel through selfpublishing. Her new novel Elijah is a labour of love, dedication, determination and good old fashion hard work.

Michelle did not allow the negativity of setbacks daunt her dream to publish her book. After many setbacks and rejection from conventional publishers, she opted for self-publishing which has worked out well for her. she says, 'The fantasy of being a ' discovered' writer by one of the mega publishing houses was long over.

But it took a while to get over the seductive dream. I knew about self

Elijah is published under the Way WiveWordz banner alongside another publication by Michelle Yaa titled The Awakening. Both can be purchased online or by contacting Michelle at:

Michelleyaa@waywivewordz.com For budding writers and those wanting to enhance their skill at writing, Way Wive Wordz run 6 weeks writing courses tailored especially to bring out your creativity. For further information and course details please contact: Michelleyaa@waywivewordz.com

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We stand on the shoulder s of giants Notting Hill Carnival a history of over 50 years of those from all over the Caribbean. As my father John La Rose stated “We did not come alive in Britain”. Many Caribbean people, known then as “West Indians “, were workers in the NHS, British Rail and London Transport but they were also musicians, masqueraders, folk dancers, carnival designers and calypsonians. They made a deep impact on Britain with their vibrant culture, music, dress style, language and food.

by Michael La Rose

5th Biannual Steelpan Conference University of East London Cass School of Education Stratford Campus 11th -12th October 2014

But What is the story of over 50 years of the Notting Hill Carnival ?

“Many tributaries make a mighty river”.

We must therefore celebrate and acknowledge all the known and unknown contributors who have helped to establish the Notting Hill Carnival in Britain. With over 50 years of history there are many moments and individuals to celebrate and much to analyse.

The Caribbean Carnival in Britain was born as a direct response to the August 1958 Notting Hill Race Riots. Oswald Mosley’s fascist Black shirt organisation based in Latimer Road and the White Defence League incited gangs of young white “Teddy Boys” to roam the area in their thousands to attack mixed race couples and black people in the streets chanting “Let’s Lynch the Niggers !”.The police did not intervene

Establishing the Caribbean Carnival in Britain is a great achievement against fearsome odds. In spite of the raw aggression, racism, scheming and noncooperation of the British authorities, what has been achieved at Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest festival of popular culture.

The Caribbean peoples, whatever island they came from, organised united and attacked the racists with force. One of the leaders of these fierce Caribbean fighters was Baron Baker. They attacked with Molotov cocktails ,knives, stones, cutlass and ambush. They defeated the racist gangs and then the police intervened and arrested the defenders.

Notting Hill Carnival is an established part of a global Caribbean Carnival diaspora with an annual cycle of carnivals which span from North America, the Caribbean to Europe and as far as the Seychelles and Japan.

Racial tension continued to be high in the area and in May 1959 an Antiguan carpenter and law student Kelso Cochrane was murdered by white youths on Southam Street off Golbourne Road.

Thousands of black and white people turned out for Kelso Cohrane’s funeral it was the start of a fledgling anti-racist movement in Britain. His racial murder remains unsolved. The book “Beyond the Mother Country; The Notting Hill white

Like all Caribbean Carnivals Notting Hill carnival has within it opposing cultural forces the Camboulay v Mardi Gras traditions.

The Caribbean Carnival culture was brought to Britain during the migration of Caribbean peoples after World War 2. It was carried in the, heart, minds and blood 19

riots” by Edward Pilkington is a good account of all these events.

The novels “Lonely Londoners” by Samuel Selvon and “Absolute Beginners”

by Colin MacInnes capture the essence of this lively poverty-stricken area in this period. The district had a reputation of being home to predatory landlords preying on a large immigrant community of Spanish, Irish and Caribbean residents. It was also the base of radical, alternative groups and communes like the London Free School, an advice centre at 34 Tavistock Crescent and the Notting Hill Peoples Association who campaigned to get private parks in the Colville area unlocked for use by everyone.

Claudia Jones the editor of the newspaper “West Indian Gazette and Afro Asian News” was a Trinidadian cultural and political activist deported from the USA. In direct response to these events she established a committee to put on the “West Indian Gazette Caribbean Carnival” at St Pancras Town Hall in 1959. She understood the unifying power of the Caribbean Carnival and wanted to establish carnival in Britain as a showcase for the art and talent of Caribbean people.

Although there had been attempts to have parades in Powis Square in Notting Hill before, these were indoor carnivals as it was too cold in Britain between January to March, the traditional pre Lenten Carnival season.

With her numerous Caribbean friends and clients it is hard to believe that Miss Las had not known about Claudia Jones’ Caribbean Carnival. But Rhaunie Lasletts Notting Hill Carnival was not initially the Caribbean Carnival of Claudia Jones, although the festival had similar aims. The first Notting Hill Carnival wanted to recall the “Peoples’ fayres and pageants” of the early history of the Notting Hill area

In the following 6 years the “West Indian Gazette Caribbean Carnivals” were a fabulous success. They moved from St Pancras Town Hall, Seymour Hall and other venues in West London.

The Carnivals were packed and filmed by the BBC. MPs attended along with High Commissioners, there was a mas competition, steelbands, calypsonians like the Mighty Sparrow and other performers.

Claudia Jones famously wrote in the Carnival brochure “A peoples art is the genesis of their freedom” .Claudia Jones died of chronic heart disease in Christmas 1964. There was no indoor carnival in 1965. On the 50th anniversary of Claudia Jones death Savannah View as part of the African Odysseys programme at the British Film Institute (BFI) screened the film “Looking for Claudia Jones” directed by Nia Reynolds in celebration of a great woman and leader.

The first Notting Hill Carnival in 1965 was an outdoor parade through the streets on August bank holiday Monday. It was a multicultural festival electrified by Russell Henderson’s steelband combo who played regularly at the Colherne pub in Earl’s Court. There was also a Nell Guinn costume, Ginger Johnson’s African Messengers band and a pub darts match. It was later transformed into the Caribbean Carnival we know today. There was no clear vision for the Notting Hill Carnival at this point local radical groups involved with its organisation renamed the festival as the Peoples Free Carnival for a short time.

It was not until the early 1970s that a recognisable Caribbean Carnival emerged under a new Caribbean leadership of Granville Pryce, Selwyn Baptiste, Junior Telfer and Merle Major amongst others.

Another woman entered the story of carnival in Britain. Rhaunie Lasletts or Miss Las was a English social worker committed to the welfare of immigrants in the North Kensington slum of Notting Hill.

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Later in 1973 Leslie “Teacher” Palmer stepped in to a crisis when there was no Notting Hill Carnival organiser. With the help of Anthony Perry of the North Kensington Amenity Trust who were responsible for developing the land under the Flyover and Granville Pryce, Leslie Palmer galvanised everyone. He had a plan and vision. He introduced local music bands and Reggae sound systems in to Notting Hill Carnival to attract British born black youth. Although masquerade bands had been in Carnival since Ashton Charles’ fancy sailor band in 1969, they had not lasted long. Leslie Palmer convinced Lawrence Noel, Mack Copeland and Peter Minshall to bring out mas bands. Notting Hill Carnival now became a Caribbean Carnival and national festival with 15,000 attending. Pioneer Soca sounds like Lord Sam, and Shadow Hi Fi also played in the bays under the Flyover. .

organisation called the Carnival Development Committee CDC, which elected Selwyn Baptiste as director Darcus Howe chair and Larry Forde secretary produced the publication “The Road Make to Walk on Carnival Day; The struggle for the West Indian Carnival in Britain” a powerful mandate for the existence of the Notting Hill Carnival. The CDC were successful in keeping Notting Hill Carnival on the streets.

Notting Hill Carnival was still financially independent in this period. Its income came from stall holders’ fees, regular Sunday fetes at the Tabernacle in Powis Square, the home of the Carnival, with music by steelbands on rotation and sounds like China Funk, Black Patch and Peoples War Sound System. The majority of the income for the carnival came from the annual Carnival Gala at the Commonwealth Institute on Kensington High Street.

But this financial independence was taken away by the locking out at the Tabernacle and refusal to allow the CDC to book the Commonwealth Institute. At the same time the Home Office formed and funded a rival committee the Carnival Arts Committee CAC which undermined unity and forever divided the carnival community. It was divide and conquer tactics.

But success brings problems ......

By the mid 1970s Notting Hill carnival was attracting the attention of the police and local white residents’ associations who wanted the festival banned. 1975 saw threats of a court injunction and a huge petition against carnival displayed by Commander Patterson of the Metropolitan Police. But this was just a prelude the Notting Hill Carnival of 1976 saw police invade the carnival area with ten times more police than any previous year. Inevitably a riot broke out. The police were routed by the black youth. The Metropolitan Police have never forgiven the Notting Hill Carnival for this crushing defeat. It is strange how history repeats itself, in Trinidad in 1881 the Camboulay Riots established the carnival in Trinidad forever after attempts by the colonial authorities attempted to stop it.

Stability and progress returns..... for a short while In the 1980s Alex Pascal was the chair of the CAC. He had a new vision for the carnival and received support and new funding from the progressive Greater London Council (GLC) lead by Ken Livingstone. The leaders of all political parties sent greetings to the Notting Hill Carnival through the Carnival magazine every year. Alex Pascal founded the “Foundation of European Carnival Cities” organisation and lead the national “Caribbean Focus 86” festival. But the

There were calls for Notting Hill Carnival to be banned by the Home Secretary and the press. The carnival leadership, a new 21

police under future commissioner Paul Condon continued to attack the carnival.

The Metropolitan Police demanded a seat on the carnival organising committee along with the Home Office and a 8pm shut down of carnival. The CAC leadership refused. 1988 saw a vitriolic smear campaign in the press unleashed on the non-compliant CAC as well as a massive police drug raid on the Mangrove Association on All Saints Road to arrest Frank Critchlow a leading community activist. The CAC’s records and documents were taken away by the police and the City accountants Coopers and Lybrand wrote a scathing report on the CAC’s competence. Not a single charge was ever proved. But the damage had been done.

no benefit to the carnival or its constituents the carnival bands.

Blueprint for the future The blueprint for the style of Carnival leadership established by Claire Holder continued from then to the modern period.

There have been many carnival organisers.

I want to describe this style of carnival leadership. Typically there would be a) Demands for new controls or regulations from the authorities to the carnival organisers every year.

There would be demands for earlier Carnival finishing times or sterile areas or road closures or change of routes. b) The authorities still view Notting Hill Carnival as a public order situation. This would be backed up by changes in procedures or health and safety regulations or laws engineered to apply to Notting Hill Carnival. c) The carnival organisers would then secretly agree to these demands without going back to consult the Carnival community or bands they are supposed to represent. The carnival organisers have been relegated to a “rubber stamp” to legitimise the oppressive plans of the authorities. The carnival organisers are no longer accountable transparent or democratic. d) It is then publicly announced by the authorities that there will be new arrangements at Notting Hill Carnival this year.

Claire Holder took over from the now disgraced CAC leadership and disbanded the organisation and formed the Carnival Enterprise Committee CEC which was more pro business and pro police. The 1989 carnival saw the emboldened police try to interfere with the parade of the carnival bands. The carnival community responded strongly and formed the APC Association for a Peoples Carnival to resist the plans of the CEC, the local councils and police. The APC also had a educational remit and published a newsletter.

This was the period of “Orangina”, “Lilt” and then “Virgin Atlantic Notting Hill Carnival” rebranding. But these short term sponsorships saw no financial gain for the carnival bands or the development of the carnival itself. During this commercialisation period the income from the stalls was transferred to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and Westminster Council. Even the Notting Hill Carnival magazine was franchised to the Evening Standard newspaper the long time enemy of the Carnival. This was the period of commercialisation and big business with

The most precious commodity for Carnival bands at Notting Hill carnival is a pass to allow the bands and their vehicles to enter their own festival. There can be no spontaneous last minute mas or music bands formed. Without a pass you are lost.

Control and regulation is paramount at Notting Hill carnival.

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This continuing aggressive model of tightly controlling and keeping Notting Hill Carnival underdeveloped continues.

There is police swamping, a critical media looking for crime figures and uncooperative obstructive local councils along with underfunding of the carnival bands. This has shaped the Notting Hill Carnival we have today. This includes the effect on the art of Carnival with repetitive “bikini mas” and more “fun bands” producing less creative mas through pressures of commercialism and underfunding. After 50 years we must review; Where we came from. Where we are going and what we must improve.

over 50 years to establish may be unrecognisable in 10 years time.

Those of us who love Notting Hill Carnival and want it to survive must support a strategy for getting a percentage of the millions of pounds made out of the carinival by shopkeepers, stall holders fees, Transport For London the Hotels and many other sources. There must be an economic strategy for a financially independent carnival. The Carnival needs money to develop the festival, pay for permanent pan yards and mas camps, erecting temporary seated viewing stands and hire vehicles for the road. One of the pressing issues is the disgrace of the Panorama and the production of an event that respects pan and the pan lovers who loyally turn up. We need a Panorama to be proud of. The creative elements of Notting Hill Carnival are being starved of funds but we cannot be solely dependent on the funders.

A financially independent Notting Hill Carnival is a must.

But yet Mahogany’s mas was used at the opening of EUFA European Football Championship at Wembley in 1996.

Notting Hill Carnival mas bands were part of the Millennium celebrations and mas bands chipped down the Mall during the Queens Jubillee . Notting Hill Carnival was even held up as an example of London’s diversity during the bid for the Olympics in 2012. The double standards of the British authorities towards Notting Hill Carnival is breathtaking. The Caribbean Carnival in Britain is kept underdeveloped and repressed while the money generated is absorbed greedily by London.

Carnival culture is a resistance and survival

culture

We must build and support Caribbean Carnival institutions like the Carnival Village and Yaa Centre. They must develop into an artistic, intellectual and educational resource for the Notting Hill Carnival and the Caribbean Carnival in Britain.

of We have to support and develop democratic accountable and effective organisations for mas, steel bands, sounds and calypsonians/soca artistes in associations like British Association of Steelbands (BAS), Association of British Calypsonians (ABC), Caribbean Music Association the Soca Sounds (CMA) and the mas association Carnival Arts & Mas Foundation (CAMF).

Yet mas bands, steel bands still parade the streets and 1 to 2 million people still turn up every year for Notting Hill Carnival.

The spirit of resistance is still flickering.

The Notting Hill Carnival has produced unique carnival mas, mas designers and mas makers like, Vernon “Fellows” Wiliams, Clary Salandy, Rock Byron, Ashton Charles, Lincoln Rahamut, Michael “Speedy” Ramdeen , Nikki Lyons, Larry Forde, Lawrence Noel, Carl Gabriel, Arthur Peters, Errol Romilly, Leslee Wills to name a few.

But the Caribbean Carnival we have struggled for

We must record our own history. Carnival bands have to record the story and history of their arts organisations. Independent British film makers, our new griots, have to be encouraged and supported like 23

Optiks Hamilton who produced “Carnival Ah We Ting”, Nia Reynolds “Looking for Claudia Jones” Stephen Rudder “ Sequins , Soca and Sweat ; The hidden heart of Notting Hill Carnival “ , Keith Morton “Panamundo” and Wyn Baptiste “The story of Selwyn Baptiste”.

We must also publicise and screen the iconic and culturally powerful “King Carnival” by Horace Ove for new generations. .

To inspire us I want to call on their names Claudia Jones., Kelso Cochrane, Rhaunie Laslett, Andre Shervington, Edric and Pearl Connor, Chris Le Maitre, Granville Pryce, Selwyn Baptiste, Ethnia Smith, Johnno Roberts, Vivian Comma the “Golden Cockerel”, Frank Critchlow, Carlton “Zigilee” Constantine, Merle Major, Philmore “Boots” Davidson, Biggs Yearwood, Randolph “Bull Bull” Baptiste, “Rock” Byron , Allan “Capitan” Thornhill,, David Roussel –Milner, Wayne Berkley, Tony Cumberbatch, Shadow the mas man , Hugo Learmond, Vernon “Fellows” Williams, the calypsonian Peace & Love, Larry Forde, Lawrence Noel.

Geraldine Connor-Crawford and all those unnamed and unknown who have made a contribution to Notting Hill carnival.

Education is crucial for the development of the Caribbean Carnival in Britain. We come from a specific, deeply rich art and festival tradition. Conferences like this Biannual Steel Pan conference are crucial.

As Savannah View I organise an annual two day festival of film about Carnival culture with the BFI and Carnival Village.

I was also honoured to contribute to an important book that came out this year about Notting Hill Carnival edited by Ishmael Blagrove “Carnival; A photographic and testimonial history of the Notting Hill Carnival”. Education and research must be our major tool. .

We stand on the shoulders of giants. We, must now stand up for we culture Thank you Michael La Rose

The Notting Hill Carnival is an example of cultural resistance for over 50 years. In the panel discussion at the BFI in August people clearly outlined the need for new struggles for financial independence and for accountable and democratic carnival organisations that must work to progress and develop the carnival, its art, its music and its future. Looming battles to resist the pressures from gentrification are on the horizon. This will also require political mobilisation of MPs and councillors, online petitions and campaigns to change the current arrangements we find at Notting Hill Carnival. Without struggle there is no progress.

Author and researcher, Director of Savannah View, designer and band leader Peoples War Carnival Band (1982 1998), vice chair CDC (1978-1980) founder APC (1989)

This article was originally meant for publication in our November issue.

I want now to call the names of some of those who have passed but have contributed much to establishing the Caribbean Carnival in Britain for over 50 years 24

Have a fantastic 2015 on the Suffolk Coast

Once you know when your 2015 holiday will be, where are you going to be staying?

Would you like everything laid on for you at one of the region’s hotels, such as thegrand four star Kesgrave Hall or the award winning Swan Hotel in Southwold? Or are you one of those people who like a bit of independence in their stay? In which case you’ve got a massive choice of self-catering cottages to rent – either go through a company such as Suffolk Secrets, Heritage Highways or Best of Suffolk, or try one of the individual rentals like Croft Farm or Mulley’s Cottage. And if you like to move around during your stay then B&Bs like Oak Tree Farm in Yoxford and The Coach House in Woodbridge are ideal for this. For lots more accommodation providers just click here.

The Suffolk Coast is a great place to visit at any time of year. The winter months are when you get a real feel of the area, the soul that remains when the tourist trappings are removed. It’s a lovely place to spend a romantic weekend around Valentines Day, just rent a cosy cottage to stay in and enjoy some alone time with the person you love.

Spring is that time when everything starts to come to life again. Travelling through the region when the flowers first push their heads through the earth, young lambs gambol around the fields and you can feel the warmth of summer coming on the breeze – it’s a very exciting time to visit.

Of course, summer is the main season for a visit and with good reason. The hot weather and Suffolk’s beaches are a perfect match, and the dozens of festivals and events happening across the region add to the feel-good mood.

So this year get your Suffolk Coast holiday booked early, we’d really hate you to miss out …

For more info email:

Even when the leaves start to turn and the weather begins to cool, the Suffolk coast has so much to offer. It’s the time of year when thousands of birds visit our region on their annual migration, and the red deer rut takes place at the Minsmere reserve.

info@thesuffolkcoast.co.uk

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26 a copy direct please contact Now available online or to order Michelleyaa@waywivewordz.com