QUEENS of culture

Meet three women who are bringing festival fun to us this summer

- ELLIE FENNELL

'THE STREETS TRULY COME ALIVE'

Allyson Williams MBE (above), 76, from west London, has been involved with Notting Hill Carnival for 50 years, most recently on its board of trustees. She has two adult children, Symone and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Layne, 20, and Kayden, 15.

Notting Hill Carnival is a feast of sights, sounds and smells, and it’s amazing to see two million people flocking to the streets. The ornate costumes feature every colour of the rainbow and can be many metres in height, often taking months to make. Walking around, there’s an explosion of music, dancing and wonderful aromas from over 300 food stalls, including authentic African, Caribbean and South American dishes.

I arrived in the UK from Trinidad in 1969. After training as a nurse and midwife, I met my late husband, Vernon, in 1974. He was a founding member of the Notting Hill Carnival, and in 1980, we decided to start our own costume band, called Genesis. We have performed at the carnival every year since. I'm the head seamstress for the band and still enjoy performing in costume. It makes me feel so special and queen-like.

Caribbean carnival originated in the 1800s, following the emancipation from slavery. Today, we continue to celebrate the heritage of our forefathers and the legacy they left. It's an important milestone for our community.

Over the years, the carnival has become more diverse and inclusive, involving other Caribbean, African, Indian and Philippine cultures, and Brazilian samba bands.