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Colin Salmon: 'Don't look down on Luton'

Danny Fullbrook
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Stephen Huntley/BBC Colin Salmon is wearing a flat cap and a bright green top and stood in front of a red banner that says "UFO STEELBAND" in yellow text.Stephen Huntley/BBC
Salmon said: "It's great for people to bring their flavour to the pot."

EastEnders actor Colin Salmon has championed Luton after it hosted its 49th carnival.

The star, who also appeared in James Bond films, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing, grew up in the Bedfordshire town.

Last year the 63-year-old was appointed Luton International Carnival Champion and plays at the event with his steelband "UFO".

He said: "People look down on it ... but it has a great history. It's ancient, Luton, and you can feel it."

Stephen Huntley/BBC A group of dancers wearing costumes are stood together on a street in LutonStephen Huntley/BBC
The EastEnders actor praised the carnival for inspiring children to celebrate their culture

"Every village and town has a history of carnival and festival, so it's great for people to bring their flavour to the pot," he added.

Luton Carnival, hosted by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA), started in 1976 and was inspired by African-Caribbean culture.

The actor said he hoped the celebration would inspire children in the town and give them a sense of "belonging".

He said: "To see your parents celebrated and clapped, and yourself, your culture, it changes your mindset.

"You know you have value but this affirms it, we celebrate that, not look down on it, and it's important."

Stephen Huntley/BBC A person wearing a giant elaborate gold costume, with a large face on top, is part of the parade at Luton Carnival. Onlookers are watching for the side. A man with a drum is walking alongside it.Stephen Huntley/BBC
Luton Carnival started in 1976

This year there were no trucks to move the carnival floats, so celebrations were instead on foot and with e-bikes.

Salmon said the new approach meant sound systems did not have to be as loud to be heard over engine noises.

"By having it all green it means we bring [the volume] all down.

"For some SEN people it's overpowering... It starts to become much more manageable for everybody.

"You know, fossil fuel, we don't need it. We can push, we can walk, we can cycle, we can make it work."

Stephen Huntley/BBC A parade of children in costume dancing on the street as part of Luton CarnivalStephen Huntley/BBC
Colin Salmon said the next carnival, the 50th iteration, is "gonna be massive"

'Massive'

The 49th event was themed on "Back to The Future".

Salmon's steel band played a mix of classic and modern songs to meet the theme.

The actor, who plays George Knight in EastEnders, added: "We're not just dwelling on the past. We're always going forward.

"The UK Centre for Carnival Arts is here. So they're always thinking about what the plan is and they're planning for next year, which is the future, by celebrating the now and the past.

"We are getting ready for the 50th next year which is gonna be massive."

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