Originating in the 1960's, London's Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's biggest street festival. Led by members of the West Indian community, the event showcases their cultures and traditions.

Visit the official website.

[Photo reproduced under licence from BBC News]

Permission to use the above photo given via http://travel.domnik.net/img-en/07dm-dominica/13/18.shtml

We all have commitments of one sort or another, often leaving us with limited time to do the things we really want to do. However where there is a will there is always a way and over the last few weeks we have utilized our time combining business with pleasure, attending 'Meaningful Meetings' and Networking with Colleagues'.

On Sun 7 Aug 2011, a Service of Praise and Thanksgiving on the Occasion of The 49th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence was held at the New Testament Church of God, Lozells, Birmingham UK.

It was a privilege to meet a few of the boys currently serving in the British Army standing alongside a veteran who served in the Warwickshire’s. 

The old and the young united in a common goal; to serve and protect the ‘Mother Country’ - men from Jamaica, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

Another successful day sharing stories and new ideas. Picture shows Alisha Evans, Councillor Peter Douglas Osborn, Debbie Gooding and John Evans - The Royal British Legion, and holding the Colours the son of a Windrush Pioneer.

Alisha and John revealed their Commonwealth family connection and have promised to share their historic links to Britain following their planned trip back to Fiji later this month.

Independence Day is celebrated in Jamaica each year on 6th August. It is the celebration of the date in 1962 when Jamaica gained full independence from Great Britain.

Thanks to ITV1 (UK) for showing the first James Bond film today, Dr No, where Secret Service agent 007 goes to Jamaica… The film was released in 1962.

ENGLAND PHYSICAL DISABILITY Xl

V

ARMY DEVELOPMENT Xl

All proceeds to: ABF The Soldiers ' Charity, The Royal British Legion and The British Association for Cricketers with Disabilities

Sunday 7th August 2011, Bournville Cricket Club, Birmingham. Gates open at 12 noon.

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words.

The Royal British Legion, Perry Common No 1 Branch.

Photo's courtesy of Dave Gooding, Birmingham County Chairman.

Details of forthcoming events to follow, including launch of Poppy appeal, 29th October 2011.

[See Gallery for more photos]

http://www.barbados.org/garrison.htm

The Caribbean is steeped in British History and Barbados is no exception. During the 17th & 18th Centuries Barbados was an important military base which the British used to protect their interests in the southern Caribbean.

Barbados has the world's rearest collection of 17th Century English iron cannon.

Despite information being easily accessible through media coverage and the internet, the reason why Britain has such a diverse cultural population is still widely unknown.

For many years contributions and support given to Britain by West Indians and other Nations of the former Empire has been overlooked and kept out of the public domain. But not any longer!

The WAWI project was founded in 2009 with the publication of our book ' Why are West Indians in this Country?' Unlike many publications of this type it does not mark the end of our research but the beginning.