Caribbean Spirit flows in The Furlong Centre

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CARIBBEAN SPIRIT FLOWS IN THE FURLONG CENTRE

The Caribbean spirit fought through a leaden sky to bring a taste of Notting Hill Carnival to the Furlong Centre in Ringwood on bank holiday Saturday.

The Havana Boys beat out the rhythm of the Caribbean on the steel drums; originally they were from Barbados and the West Indies, but now living in darkest Aylesbury. The "Boys" ages ranging from 49 to 60 have been playing together for 30 years. The leader Noel Francis had formed a steel band in his home town of St Vincent in the West Indies, some of the band came to England with him, others from Barbados, joined the band shortly after they settled in Aylesbury.

Singing along with them was Tobago Crusoe, originally from Tobago, but now living in Forest Gate who sang traditional calypso, and made up songs with help from the audience. Mambo Jambo from Jamaica, showed the crowds how to limbo, several youngsters joined in, but drew the line when Mambo added fire eating to limbo dancing.

Stewarts Garden Centre supplied the tropical palm trees and rainforest, which decorated the stage.

Hundreds poured into the Furlong Centre, intending to stay for a few minutes, but caught up in the relaxed Caribbean mood they lingered to stay all day. Such was the appreciation of the crowd that the money collected in the buckets in aid of BBC Children in Need amounted to nearly Ł400 at the end of the day.

The Furlong was decked out in Jamaican flags and bunting, the shopkeepers wore grass skirts, straw hats, and garlands of flowers. and then the sun broke through the heavy skies. The sun shone down, the mood was cool, the music hot, the rum punch strong and fruity and flowing freely in the Furlong shops. Said the leader of the band Noel Francis "Man it's a real heavy gig." "Alleluia" said the crowd.

"Its absolutely brilliant" said Lindy Francis from Frampton Mill cafe, who had one of their busiest days of the year.

At the end of the day, the crowd of several hundred, reluctantly went away, some clutching coconuts and pineapples they had won limbo dancing, others with the sound of the drums ringing in their ears. The performers packed up to go to their next gig - The Notting Hill Carnival in Notting Hill.

Said Belinda Charlton, the Furlong event organiser. "It was a fantastic day. 1 think this will be a regular event for the Furlong."

27 August 2000

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