August brings one of the world’s largest celebrations: Notting Hill Carnival. But behind the feathers, steel pans and extravagant parade lies an important story of cultural resilience.

The Notting Hill Carnival we know today emerged from a unique blend of local history and Caribbean traditions, shaped by pioneering figures who showed remarkable resilience against racial hostility and social division.

Many of these figures have been honoured through The Laslett’s identity, helping to spark conversations among guests, visitors, and locals about their contributions and importance. Below, we explore the history of Notting Hill Carnival, the origins of the parade, and the key individuals who helped shape it into the celebration we know today.

Carpenter Kelso Cochrane was just 32 years old when he was fatally stabbed in a racially motivated attack near Golborne Road, Notting Hill on 17 May 1959. Despite identified leads, no one was ever convicted, a failure that has led to heavy criticism of the investigation for downplaying the racial motive, pursuing robbery as the primary explanation, and failing to effectively pursue key suspects.

Kelso’s murder became highly significant within the history of Notting Hill, and his death came to symbolise the racial tensions, discrimination and fears of injustice experienced by Caribbean communities during the Windrush era. It also became an important part of the wider history of Black British civil rights and activism in the area.

The term “Windrush Generation” was coined after the HMT Empire Windrush, the ship that brought hundreds of Caribbean migrants to Britain in 1948. This was part of a wider government drive to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War, addressing labour shortages across several key industries.

As Caribbean communities settled in Notting Hill, housing shortages, anxieties surrounding unemployment, and the growing presence of fascist groups in West London contributed to an increasingly hostile racial climate.

Just eight months before Kelso Cochrane's death, racial tensions reached its peak in one of the most pivotal events of the era: the Notting Hill race riots. Taking place over a week between August and September of 1958, the violence involved vicious attacks against the Black community, resulting in over 140 arrests and 9 convictions.

The riots attracted national attention, shedding an undeniable light on the racism present within British society. This helped stimulate a new wave of anti-racist activism and growing political pressure for greater racial equality.

The racial climate at the time demonstrated an ever-growing need for Caribbean communities to take collective action, which ultimately laid the foundations for what Notting Hill Carnival would become.

A few months before Kelso's death, Britain saw an important act of community solidarity channelled through music and celebration. Trinidad-born journalist, activist and pioneering figure, Claudia Jones, orchestrated a way to utilise Caribbean culture as a form of resistance: by organising Britain's first Caribbean Carnival in January of 1959.

Held at St Pancras Town Hall, this televised event showcased a celebration of Caribbean heritage through music, dance, costume and performance. Trinidadian husband-and-wife Edric and Pearl Connor played a key role in the event's success, with Edric directing the first carnival, and the couple helping to shape it into an annual celebration that continued until Claudia's death in 1964.

It was this foundation which helped pave the way for a new wave of cultural celebration. This time, it was led by influential community activist Rhaune Laslett, taking the form of a multicultural, community-led street fayre in 1966, which brought together the Caribbean and wider communities of Notting Hill.

Rhaune worked alongside fellow London Free School co-founder John “Hoppy” Hopkins, as well as local activists such as Andre Shervington and contributors from Notting Hill’s African, Caribbean, Cypriot and Indian communities, creating a week-long event of cultural celebration.

The foundation for the Carnival's music began the year before in 1965, at Rhuane's outdoor children's fayre, where she invited Russell Henderson to play alongside fellow steelpan players Sterling Betancourt and Ralph Cherrie. Rather than staying in one spot, Henderson led the trio into the streets, drawing local residents into a spontaneous procession.

This informal moment planted the seed for a planned procession at Rhaune’s 1966 fayre, which is widely regarded as the beginning of Carnival’s outdoor parade. 1966 was significant not because the Carnival’s sound began there, but because it marked the shift from a spontaneous moment to an organised and ongoing event.

The transformation of Notting Hill Carnival in the years that followed was hugely influenced by Leslie Palmer, the Carnival’s Director between 1973 and 1975. Under his direction, this transformative period saw a plethora of changes, from route expansion to the introduction of sound systems, achieved by securing sponsorship and introducing the generators needed to help scale Carnival.

Leslie also introduced mas and steel bands representing islands beyond Trinidad, including Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia, and Barbados, broadening Caribbean representation at Carnival. Fixed points along the route now featured stationary DJ sets, with live reggae, soul and funk bands also performing along the route.

Part of today's Carnival fabric, the Caribbean food stalls were also brought in by Leslie, who introduced affordable stall pitches for Carnival and Caribbean food traders and vendors.

What once stemmed from a small community party, the origins of Notting Hill Carnival have since grown into a world-famous extravaganza, now standing as one of Europe’s largest cultural events and the world’s second-largest carnival.

Today, the event serves as a powerful symbol of unity and a celebration of Caribbean culture and community resilience. This year marks a milestone celebration: the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival, and its continuation reinforces a vital message of community against racial discrimination and social division.

Today, the origins of Notting Hill Carnival remain an important part of local history, one that is reflected in the story and identity of Notting Hill’s boutique hotel, The Laslett. Located in the heart of the area, The Laslett draws on Notting Hill’s heritage, incorporating elements of its local history into its identity and sharing these stories with guests, visitors and the wider community.

Influential figures from Notting Hill’s history are represented throughout its spaces. The Laslett was named in honour of Rhaune Laslett, commemorating her influential role in the development of Notting Hill Carnival.

The Henderson Bar takes its name from Russell Henderson, whose steelpan performances played a vital part in the development of Carnival’s sound. Since its opening, the bar has offered a signature rum punch based on a recipe passed down by Henderson himself.

When the hotel opened more than ten years ago, Russell performed steelpan outside the property while renovation work was underway. Russell’s bandmate Mark Cherrie’s nephew has since continued this connection to the hotel, performing steelpan at its annual Christmas Carnival events.

Portraits of influential figures including Claudia Jones, Russell Henderson, Rhaune Laslett and Kelso Cochrane can be found throughout the hotel, keeping their stories connected to the wider history of Notting Hill.

Whether through celebratory events during Carnival weekend or by encouraging conversation at the Henderson Bar, The Laslett campaigns to keep these stories alive, celebrating the people who helped shape the community and Carnival as it is known today.