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.
He thanked the BAS Executive, Eversley Mills, Robbie Joseph, Debi Gardner, Tara Baptiste and Patrick Mckay for all their hard work in making BAS an outstanding carnival arena and global icon.
Keith Diaz, President of Pan Trinbago followed with his delivery filled with enthusiasm about their involvement with Pan in Africa and his view of how Pan Trinbago will be involved in the promotion and further development of the steelband culture.
Distinguished guests on the night included Russell Henderson OBE, Gerald Forsyth OBE, Sterling Betancourt MBE, Dudley Dickson, members of the BAS Hall of Fame and UK Pan Tuners Guild, Rudo Forteau, Keith Diaz, Ainsley King, Mrs Herbert, Denise Tsoi-A-Fatt, Lewis Benn, Debora Alleyne De Gazabon and Lyndon Lacrette.
MCs on the night were none other than Kayleigh Lewis and Joel Hamilton Mills who had the attendees fully entertained alongside
The following awards were presented on the night
30th Anniversary - Stardust Steel Orchestra
40th Anniversary – Metronomes Steel Orchestra
Pan Clash Champion Soloist – Jenny Gilberg
Junior Panorama Champions – Ebony Steel Band
Crystal Gail Holder Award – Ryan King
J’Ouvert Bomb Competition – Real Steel Orchestra
Best Traditional Steelband – Nostalgia Steel Band
Best Conventional Steelband – Ebony Steel Band
UK National Panorama Champions – Real Steel Orchestra
Randolph Baptiste Award – Debra Romain
Ezekiel ‘Biggs’ Yearwood Award – Eustace Benjamin
BAS 2013 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award – Tony ‘Cowboy’ Charles
The after awards party celebration went way into the wee hours of Sunday morning with everyone looking forward to BAS 16th annual awards presentation in 2014.
submitted from the newsdesk of PanPodium
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