Councillors question 'what funding pots are available' after steel pan band visit

Christopher Storey was awarded a British Empire Medal, but says groups like his award-winning steel pan band are struggling, reports Olivia Opara

Credit Olivia Opara

Haringey councillors visited a local steel pan band after its founder received his British Empire Medal (BEM) on Friday (21st April).

Matt White, who represents the Tottenham Central ward, and Felicia Opoku, councillor for Bruce Grove, paid a visit to Pan Nation Steel Orchestra’s adult band on Sunday to congratulate founder Christopher Storey on receiving his BEM. Cllr White and Cllr Opoku spent the day speaking with the band about the music and arrangements that it plays and with Christopher about the work that he does within the steel pan community.

They were later given a mini lesson on the tenor pans and played with the band.

On Friday, 21st April, Christopher was presented his BEM by the lord-lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, at the New Armouries, Tower of London. He received his medal alongside DJ legend, DJ Spoony, and best-selling author Francesca Simon.

When asked about his medal, Christopher said: “I feel like I have won – I was just blown away at the fact that anyone would nominate me.”

However, Christopher also shared with Cllr White and Cllr Opoku the challenges he has been facing with running the band alongside teaching steel pan music across the borough.

With the cost-of-living crisis Christopher has noticed that some younger band members have been struggling to pay their session fees. Similarly, Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, where Christopher works at and where Pan Nation practices, has had to raise the cost of its hall hire in order to cover rising costs elsewhere in the school.

“It’s been difficult for me because I teach during the school day, then after school. I also make all the arrangements that the bands and students play,” Christopher told the councillors.

Christopher has always wanted to introduce another adult class as there is a high demand for it, however he is unable to due to having limited time, resources and lack of affordable and suitable places for the band to practice.

Pan Nation is self-funded with Christopher and the band taking up gigs and extra work outside of their regular schedules in order to keep up with rising costs and to enter steel pan competitions such as Panorama, Europe’s biggest steel pan competition.

“However, not many steel pan bands are joining these competitions because they can no longer afford to and are not able to sustain themselves,” said Christopher.

Christopher noted that the lack of support for steel pans comes from the mindset that they are still not recognised as actual instruments by western standards.

Cllr White said: “ We need to go away and ask the question of what funding pots are available and what the council can do to support Pan Nation.

“However, today has just been fantastic to hear about what Christopher has been doing and the challenges he has been facing to continue his work in the community.”

Pan Nation will be hosting a steel pan festival in June and would like to hear from other local people and groups who make music and struggle to find spaces and support to collaborate with.

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