Through a haze of barbecuing jerk chicken and with the booming bass of one sound system blending into the next, west London came alive once more this weekend.

The August bank holiday means one thing for many: the Notting Hill Carnival – a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture with the power to bring all communities together for music, dance and good food.

And this year marked a significant milestone.

It’s 75 years since the Empire Windrush docked in Essex bringing hundreds from the West Indies to fill post-war labour shortages.

Among those in the crowd was Aama Sade, whose family came here from the Caribbean.

“It’s about the steel pan, it’s about all of us being able to celebrate in the way we do,” she said.

“Carnival started because of rioting, because of racial tension.

Police called to ‘disturbance’ at Grease show in London’s West End as four theatregoers escorted out

Identity of body recovered from River Thames a decade ago remains a mystery

Man and woman arrested on suspicion of murder after baby found dead in east London

“From Windrush, how we started, to the achievement of that.”

The Caribbean influence is certainly clear in the hundreds of food stalls with curried goat, ackee and saltfish also on the menu.

Police presence and arrests

To maintain order during the festivities, 12,500 officers were deployed by the Metropolitan Police to patrol the carnival, and while the force said the mood was “good natured” throughout the day, several arrests have been made.

There have been 24 arrests so far for a range of offences including possession of weapons, drugs, being drunk and disorderly and sexual assault.

The police also said some may have “regrettably” travelled to the carnival with knives.

In a step declared as “precautionary”, the Met has issued at Section 60 order meaning officers have additional search powers until 2am.

“Officers will continue to use their powers respectfully and sensitively as they have been doing throughout the event so far,” the force said.

Read more:
‘Remarkable legacy’ – King honours Windrush generation with portraits
Reward to catch killer of rapper stabbed to death at Notting Hill Carnival

The carnival is also marking 50 years since “mas bands” were introduced – short for “masquerade”.

They’re at the heart of carnival, parading through the streets with vibrant costumes, masks and thumping sounds.

It’s four-year-old Aliyah’s first ever carnival. She’s been rehearsing hard ready to parade through the streets in her orange and turquoise feathered wings and jewelled make-up.

“It’s amazing for me to see her enjoying all this music all the people, the food and feeling at home,” said her mother Anastacia.

The event in 1973 also marked the first use of sound systems.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Now the pumping bass reverberating around the residential roads, and the dancing in the streets that accompanies them, is as much a part of the event as the parade.

As many as two million people are expected to come along over the weekend.

Day one is billed as a family day – it’s all about the children.

On Monday, the adults will party even harder.

Related posts:

‘A devastating loss’: Tributes ahead of vigil for flower seller stabbed to death outside his stall Man handed suspended sentence for assaulting Professor Chris Whitty Dina Asher-Smith fails to make Olympic 100m final but teammate Daryll Neita through Tory MP and ex-minister James Brokenshire announces lung cancer has ‘progressed’ CCTV released of suspect after man, 61, killed in Birmingham hit-and-run ‘Unless it’s mandated there’s no reason not to’: Pubs still going ahead with Christmas party bookings Man who murdered wife on wedding night and put body in suitcase jailed for at least 21 years ‘A miracle nobody hurt’: Mercedes driven for more than 20 miles down wrong side of a motorway Harry may have rowed back on his racism claim – but the damage is done to the Royal Family Attempted murder victim ran into takeaway for help after stabbing Gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in England hit record levels Images show dangerous depths of Scotland’s lochs in bid to keep swimmers safe