RASPO at Notting Hill Carnival 2010 - UK Steelband Championship Review

For the first time RASPO entered Panorama - the UK's Steelband Competition which kicked off Notting Hill Carnival on Saturday 28 August at Horniman's Pleasance Park in West London's Kensal Road.


Playing in position number four RASPO Steel Orchestra! Watch Part 1

Seven bands played to a panel of judges for the title of 'Champions of Steel' including Croydon Steel Orchestra, Mangrove Steel Band who came second, Metronomes, Real Steel, winners Ebony, London All Stars and of course RASPO Steel Orchestra.


Watch Part 2 of RASPO's inaugural Panorama performance

As Panorama newcomers RASPO achieved much by taking part in the championship and will return stronger, larger and better for Panorama 2011.

On Children's Day RASPO joined the Notting Hill Carnival procession for 'Band on the Road releasing the stress from hard work put into preparing Bubbles' ten minute arrangement of 'Pan on Fire'. The musicians enjoyed being part of Europe's largest two day street festival making a great contribution towards the entertainment.


This video shows traditional pan around the neck steel band Panecktar and RASPO Steel Orchestra in the carnival procession.

Reading's first Notting Hill Carnival project would not have been possible without our supporters including Reading Borough Council's (RBC) Culture and Sport Development team who got behind the project offering human resources, a minibus and driver for the weekend.

Reading Buses laid on transport for friends, families and supporters,
Jeff Cahill from BDT Transport in Woodley offered the trailer and driver for the championship and the procession with scaffolding supplied by Angus from S A Scaffolding.

Whitley Excellence Cluster (WEC) and Aspire2 supported carnival costume and head dress workshops in South Reading.
A very special thank you goes to RBC's Amar Dave and Lisa Pearce for believing in the project, and to Dan Harris who organised the Hexagon as a rehearsal space for the orchestra during August.

Planning has already started for next year's event. Do you want to be involved either as a participant, musician, dancer, supporter or sponsor? Contact us.

The RASPO Panorama Orchestra rehearse at the Hexagon for Notting Hill Carnival