London, 1 October 2026 — History will be made today as a spectacular new blue plaque honouring 70 pioneers of Notting Hill Carnival is unveiled at Westbourne Park Station.
Created by the Nubian Jak Community Trust (NJCT) and working with Transport for London (TfL), the six-foot-circumference plaque has been registered with Guinness World Records as the “Largest Blue Plaque in the World.”
The unveiling marks the 70th anniversary of London Transport’s pioneering Caribbean recruitment campaign and launches Black History Month 2026 in the UK.
The plaque celebrates Caribbean men and women whose contribution to London went far beyond keeping the capital moving. As cultural pioneers, musicians, organisers and community leaders, they helped transform Notting Hill and lay the foundations for what is now recognised as Europe’s largest street festival.
The story includes Claudia Jones, who launched an indoor Caribbean carnival in 1959 as a fundraiser for West Indians living in Notting Hill who faced racial discrimination, violence and intimidation. The indoor Caribbean carnival continued annually until her death in 1964.
In 1965, Rhaune Laslett started a children’s carnival in Notting Hill. A year later, with support from the London Free School and contributions from different cultural communities, the century-old Notting Hill Fayre was revived. Through the growing contribution of Caribbean people, it soon developed into what became known as Notting Hill Carnival.
From London Transport workers to Carnival pioneers, the 70 names on the plaque celebrate generations of Caribbean Londoners whose energy, creativity and determination helped shape modern London.
Now their names will take their place permanently on the London Underground, where millions will see them for generations to come.
Seventy pioneers. One historic plaque. A legacy for generations.
The Notting Hill Carnival Pioneers Plaque
Westbourne Park Station
Great Western Road, London W11 1AB
Unveiled: 11am on 1 October 2026
Nubian Jak CEO Dr Jak Beula said: “We cannot thank Transport for London enough for partnering with the Nubian Jak Community Trust to honour these pioneering Windrush Generation heroes. They not only helped keep London moving, but also made one of the greatest cultural contributions to post-war Britain — the Notting Hill Carnival. This plaque ensures their names, achievements and legacy will be remembered for generations to come.”
Mark Evers, TfL’s lead on Customer Insight, Strategy and Experience, said: “With this special blue plaque, we are delighted to honour both the pioneers of the Notting Hill Carnival following its 60th anniversary weekend and the Caribbean community on the 70th anniversary of the Caribbean recruitment campaign. The Caribbean community has a rich history with London’s transport network that remains evident today, and this is a wonderful way to celebrate and pay tribute to that incredible contribution as we mark the start of Black History Month.”
Chris Samson, Executive Manager at TfL: “My family came here in the early 60s. I grew up with the uniform of London Transport being in the house, always seeing the hats and the uniform. It was very much a part of how we lived, you know, back then.
“The plan was always to help the mother country, and after a few years go back home. That was the significant part for a lot of the older generation and they instilled that in a lot of us as well.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
* The history of London Transport’s Caribbean recruitment campaign can be found here: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/
* The Nubian Jak Community Trust has installed more plaques and statues commemorating Britain’s rich and diverse history than any other organisation
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT INFO@NUBIANJAK.ORG
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