Steel pan bands are fighting for survival - Notting Hill

[Pan Times]

The Voice

Notting Hill Carnival organisers accused of not doing enough to protect the art form

England, UK - A Steel pan veteran has called for more support for the members of the bands who form the heart and soul of London’s famous Notting Hill Carnival and help keep old traditions alive.

Speaking at the British Association of Steelbands’ (BAS) 15^th annual awards ceremony on December 7, Pepe Francis argued that collectives like Mangrove and Ebony help generate millions of pounds for the British economy, yet they are fighting for survival.

A 2002 report by the London Development Agency (LDA) estimated that the event, which takes place every August bank holiday, contributes around £93 million to the economy.
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[Andre-Roger Dellevi]

Real shame that steel pan is not given its due recognition and support. The steelbands in T.O. suffer similar underfunding compared to the money it helps generate for the annual Caribbean "Caribana" Festival. Let's hope some of these problems for pan, inside and outside will be addressed in part and whole when the global pan community assemble in T&T next year... https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum/topics/2014-pan-pilgrimage-to-...