Trinidad and Tobago gave London the roots of its Notting Hill Carnival.

The countdown to T&T's 50th Independence celebrations on 31 August started earlier in the month, including a Cultural Village which showcased the entire mix of Trinidad cultural contribution to the outside world.

The Village included calypso lessons, steelpan, talk tent events and the celebration of a Hindu Maticoor night. It also extended to Trinidadian opera singers and poets who have made their mark beyond Trinidad's well-known cultural offerings of calypso, soca and steelpan (although that was also on show).

Guests at a pre-Independence reception at the Village, hosted by High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas, included novelist Earl Lovelace and well-known Trinidadian actor Rudoplh Walker.

And, of course, on Carnival Sunday and Monday, Notting Hill Carnival - now Europe's biggest street party - also took place with some people making sure they carried their Trini flags to show ownership of what has become Europe's biggest street festival.