ELIMU Swahili for 'Education' or 'Knowledge', originally operated as a community education centre on the Harrow Road servicing Westminster pupils excluded from school or truanting on a regular basis. The Project was funded and managed by the Westminster Community Relations Council (WCCR) and its Director was Ansel Wong and Senior Youth Worker, Patricia Jaggs.

The first involvement in Carnival was the production in 1980 of an 8mm film on Carnival called Play Mas. The success of this film and the positive experiences of the youths involved in the Carnival, not as spectators but as participants, resulted into the Centre bringing a Carnival Band in 1981.

Since then, the Band has participated in every Carnival to date. Our Carnival designer was Meilin Sancho. Elimu has over 28 years experience of successful participation in the Carnival.

ELIMU joined forces with Paddington Arts in 2001. Since then, became Elimu Paddington Arts Mas Band and have participated in the Notting Hill Carnival every year since then.

Elimu Paddington Arts Mas Camp will open from Monday 20 July at 6.30 p.m. until the end of August. You can register to join the Band and play Mas on the streets of Notting Hill. Costumes are £30 for children and £65 for adults.

We are also inviting all members to nominate anyone who you think has made a significant contribution to the development of the Carnival. We are creating a Carnival Hall of Fame and want to induct 50 people in the 50th year of carnival. Nominate your favourite person and we will consider them.

During the Carnival, we will display 50 flags, each with the name of our chosen 50 Pioneers of Carnival. So nominate your Carnival Pioneer NOW.