I am Carlton, also known as Robbie. I came to the UK from Portland Jamaica in the 60s, age 9, to join my parents. I am friendly, kind, trustworthy, and active in the community. My work experiences include engineering, youth work, co-founder of Moon Shot, and social work in East Africa (1972). I am currently a funeral director who enjoys playing cricket, football, and dancing.

As a child, I remember seeing my grandparents and village elders in Jamaica happily dancing to banjo, tambourine and drums. I saw quadrille dance for the 1st time at Goldsmith College in the 1980s. It reminded me of my grandparents dancing. I wanted to dance it because my grandfather was known to be a good dancer.

In 2012, Beverley Bogle taught a group of us quadrille, to perform at our church Jamaica 60th Independence celebration. Happy with the outcome, I joined JÁNUKA in 2013. I enjoy learning, socialising and performing with friendly people who share a common goal, just as our ancestors did.

JÁNUKA gives me knowledge of my ancestors’ resilience, compassion, and determination to survive enslavement. Quadrille is spiritual, a method of communication. I want the younger generation to know about its history, why our ancestors danced it, and why we are now dancing it, not just for entertainment, but to keep our Jamaican traditional culture alive.