The Nubian Jak Community Trust is racing against time to install what it believes will be the world's largest Blue Plaque before Notting Hill Carnival celebrates its 60th anniversary. The plaque, which honours 70 pioneers who helped shape Europe's largest street event, needs to be in place by Friday, August 28, ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend carnival. The trust is seeking £12,500 to cover the cost of professional installation at a prominent location along the Carnival route.
Plaque created a decade ago, now seeking permanent home
Symone Williams, whose father performed at the first Carnival 60 years ago, is leading the fundraising effort. She told MyLondon: "The plaque was created around ten years ago, but has been in a community centre this entire time. I approached Jack (founder of Nubian Jak Community Trust) and said, 'Why don't we try to get this installed for the 60th anniversary?'"
Williams added: "I thought it would be a befitting tribute. We submitted for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund and a couple of other places, but we were unsuccessful. A million people turn up to carnival every year - if they all just put £1, we'd surpass our goal."
Guinness World Record certification depends on installation
The trust hopes to have the Guinness Book of World Records officially certify the plaque as the world's biggest Blue Plaque, but certification can only happen once it is fixed to a wall. Williams aims to have the plaque installed at a "notable point" so Carnival attendees can walk past and acknowledge those who were pivotal in creating the event.
Williams continued: "My dad was one of the musicians at the first Carnival and he got to play the drums alongside the likes of Russel Henderson. The legacy of my father at the Carnival stretches back, and this is a notable way to honour the people who created Europe's biggest Carnival on its 60th anniversary. We know the community is stretched with so much going on right now but we need everyone to dip into their pockets and help us out if they can. It's definitely urgent."
Trust's history of honouring Black British pioneers
Dr Jack Beula founded the Nubian Jak Community Trust to honour and tell the stories of Black history in Britain. The trust has unveiled plaques throughout London, including tributes to Claudia Jones and Laurie Cunningham, the Windrush memorial in Brixton, and an NHS Windrush Nurses and Midwives statue.
Notting Hill Carnival takes place from August 30 to Monday, August 31, with more than two million partygoers expected to descend on West London. Donations are being accepted to support the installation effort.
