[Brixton Chamber Orchestra rehearsing ahead of coronation carnival]
[Deronne White, playing flute]
[Brixton Chamber Orchestra’s logo on conductor’s hoodie]
Deronne White (interview): “There will be a lot of different communities. And I think that with the vast range of styles that we delve into in terms of music, that whilst for some people there may be a slight disconnection in terms of the actual event and maybe the history behind it that I think with music they can be that sort of connection. So, bringing people in to ensure that there is some sort of comfortability and enjoyment and that can hopefully spur some more interest and wonder about the whole coronation event.”
[Orchestra members rehearsing]
[Adrianna Forbes-Dorant playing violin]
Adrianna Forbes-Dorant (interview): “I have mixed opinions on kind of, on general, kind of like the royal family and the coronation. Just because I think that there are, you know, there are bigger things happening in Britain right now. And I know the coronation costs a lot of money. And obviously we’re going through the cost-of-living crisis and loads of people can’t kind of heat their homes or buy enough food. And I think it’s strange, even though it’s good to have a kind of catharsis kind of release as a nation, it’s also strange that this event would happen in a time where, and it costs so much, at a time where people don’t really have like the money to get by on.”
[Double-decker bus passing though junction in Southall]
[Coronation bunting]
[“Indian Sri Lankan & English Groceries”]
[Coronation poster taped on shop door]
Janpal Basran (interview): “With Southall, it’s a complex area. I mean, we have enormously diverse communities. Many of them, many of the communities in Southall are from former colonies, either of the British Empire or Italian or Spanish Empire. So, they are people who have a kind of a history or an understanding of what it’s like to be ruled by others.”
Janpal Basran (interview): “Is it fair that there is so much attention and resource being put into a massive coronation celebration when people are in record numbers having to rely upon food banks, are facing poverty on an unbelievable scale?”
[Digital signage for coronation to Indian restaurant which King Charles III previously visited]
[Charles during his visit to restaurant]
[Menu signed by Charles and Camilla]
[Restaurant owner Gulu Anand in kitchen]
Gulu Anand (interview): “The last time when he came to the restaurant was with of our future queen now, Camilla. And they were very intrigued of what sort of Indian food we do, especially the salmon and the tandoori salmon. And they said, we never knew that we could get tandoori salmon. And (I) brought them in the kitchen and showed them how the actual tandoori salmon is cooked in the tandoor and how the naan breads are made, how the Seekh kebab are made. They tried all the food. It was fantastic.”
Gulu Anand (interview): “(Referring to Charles) A fantastic person to know. He starts the conversation with you. Whenever he’s been to the Brilliant (restaurant), he actually starts the conversation with the staff, my guests. That is the greatness of your king, who actually listens to you, who wants to know from where you’ve come. Are you happy? Are you doing good work? I think he is the people’s king.”
This script was provided by The Associated Press.