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Tributes to carnival organiser
Tributes have paid to one of the original organisers of the Notting Hill Carnival, who has died of cancer aged 75.
Selwyn Baptiste is thought to have been responsible for bringing steel bands to the streets of west London for the first time.
He helped establish what is now the biggest street festival in Europe, and stayed as a chairman on its committee for a number of years, publicly condemning the violence that erupted at the end of the carnival in 1976.
Mr Baptiste had been ill with cancer for a short amount of time, but died at home on January 5.
He was known by many of his friends and colleagues for being passionate about education and about supporting young people, and he helped set up the children's carnival, traditionally held at the beginning of the three-day event.
Alex Pascall, chairman of the Carnival and Arts Committee which was responsible for the event in the mid to late 1980s, said: "He put his heart and soul into educating children in culture using the steel band.
"He was a deeply cultural person and was very interested in young people."
Mr Baptiste was born in Trinidad but moved to the UK in 1960, quickly becoming involved in community work in Notting Hill and last year he was given a lifetime achievement award from the Tabernacle.
He set up the Carnival Development Committee in 1975, and was chairman of it for four years, during some of the carnival's most difficult years.
At the end of the event in 1976 racial tensions turned into rioting with around 100 police officers and 60 revellers picking up injuries.
A friend of Mr Baptiste said: "Without a doubt, carnival would not be what it is today without his help. He was such a supporter of young people and we probably wouldn't have children's day without him.
"It is sad to lose him, and seems like the end of an era for Notting Hill Carnival.
"I would like to send my condolences to his family. He will be very sorely missed."
Angela Duncan-Thompson, chairman of the Notting Hill Masquerade Bands Association, added: "The UK Carnival fraternity wishes to express condolences to the Baptiste family."
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I am the niece of Selwyn Baptiste. My name is Donna Baptiste, his elder brother's daughter. My dad's name is Neville Baptiste. Uncle Selwyn lived in the South. His address in Trinidad where he was born is 381 Southern Main Road La Romain. We, his relatives still reside there. He will be missed. May he R.I.P
Please call Neville Baptiste at 1-868-497-0009. He is desperate to make contact with Selwyn's son Wyn Baptiste, his nephew.
May he rest in peace...