The British Association of Steelbands held their annual awards presentation on Saturday 7th December 2013 at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury, London. Top comedians and actors, Robbie Gee and Eddie Nestor, opened the evening. After some light banter with the audience filled with humour. Robbie and Nestor handed the floor to BAS Chairman, Pepe Francis.
Pepe’s extended speech included all aspects of the trials and tribulations faced by the association and its member bands. He highlighted that the association and all its member bands will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the steelband’s involvement in Notting Hill Carnival. It was certainly a treat for all in attendance to pay homage to Russell Henderson OBE who was present on the night as he was the person responsible for introducing the first steelband, the Russell Henderson Steelband, to Notting Hill on an invitation from Rhaune Laslette who organized the Notting Hill Neighbourhood Carnival in April 1954.
Pepe highlighted the association’s three key priorities for 2014
- Further engagement of Young People
- Performance on the International stage
- Raising the profile of steelbands
At the end of his speech he presented Brent Holder MBE with an award for his achievement of being the youngest Tribagoian to receive an MBE award from the Queen HRH at just 36 years old. This young man who hails from Laventille is certainly a shining example of what can be achieved by determination and commitment to the steelband culture.
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