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Who Started It?

Wyn Baptiste delves into the origins of Carnival, meeting the key players and pioneers

Wyn Baptiste grew up in Notting Hill believing his dad Selwyn, a Trinidadian steel pan player who arrived in Britain in 1960 and was the first Chair of Notting Hill Carnival Committee, was the man who started Carnival. But the truth isn't quite that simple.

Wyn discovers that the origins of Carnival are as tangled as the history of London itself as he meets key players who were actually there with his dad, and goes on a journey that takes in mass immigration, the 1958 race riots, pioneering social workers, Trinidadian steel pan players – and adventure playgrounds.

Release date:

22 minutes

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Credits

Role Contributor
Director Wyn Baptiste
Presenter Wyn Baptiste
Director Dom Asbridge
Producer Shanthy Sooriasegaram

Carnival rhythm

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