This website is a gallery of photographs taken at the Notting Hill Carnival by "Halden Photography" photographer Mark Denton.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL - A BIT OF BACKGROUND

The Notting Hill Carnival has been taking place in London, on the last weekend in August, every year since 1965. This great festival began initially from the energies of Black immigrants from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad, where the Carnival tradition is very strong, and from people living locally who dreamed of creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities, and poor housing conditions resulting in a general suppression of good self-esteem.

Six disciplines go to make up the carnival as we know it today. Mas' (masquerade), Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion of Soul and Calypso), Static Sound Systems, and Samba all play their part in the Carnival.

The photographs displayed on this site have attempted to capture some of the spirit and colour of the great event.