feature: Celebrating Black history
15 October 2008
Black History Month is underway, with a fantastic programme of events of all kinds across the borough. We pick out the highlights.
It was 60 years ago this year that the SS Empire Windrush made its famous voyage, docking at Tilbury with the first of the post-war emigrants to Britain from the Caribbean.
Many of those new arrivals found their way to Haringey, which has a proud history of welcoming settlers from all over the world.
Black History Month 2008 celebrates the Windrush anniversary, with everything from reminiscence sessions to arts and craft workshops, exhibitions, book launches, talks, film, music and dance.
Bill, Patsy and friends
Bill Guy moved to Britain from Guyana in 1950, and in 1986 became the fastest man in the world aged over 55, with a 100 metre time of 11.9 seconds. Join him remembering life in Tottenham in the 50s and 60s, at Marcus Garvey library, Phillip Lane, N15, on 25 October, 5pm to 6.30pm.
Other reminiscence sessions include Hermione Wood looking at growing up in London in the Windrush years, 2pm to 4pm on 22 October at Marcus Garvey library, while the Bruce Castle Museum exhibition Carnival Roots & Rhythm includes a film by local filmmaker Angela Phillips with local Black community elders sharing their thoughts and memories of carnival.
The film also features Movement Angol dance company, demonstrating the history of the traditional Caribbean dances of the Quadrille, the Kumina and the Bele, and their influence on the dancing of today.
Patsy Scott’s family story time, at Hornsey library, Haringey Park, N8, on 28 October, 2pm to 3pm, includes the much-loved Anansi stories.
Moving forward
29 October sees award-winning author and broadcaster Diran Adebayo talking on moving beyond the approaches and mindsets that have dominated the Black British landscape since Windrush.
Is it time for a new ‘post-Black’ agenda in culture, politics and social affairs? Hear the talk and then join the debate at 7.30pm, Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, N17.
Problems with your locks?
17 October is Black Hair Day, with expert Elizabeth Vincent, author of ‘Black Hair Growth Secrets Revealed’, and Angela Plummer, voted the world’s best braider, passing on their tips.
The event takes place in the Business Lounge at Wood Green library, 11am to 1pm. There’s another session with Elizabeth on 30 October, 7pm to 8pm at Coombes Croft library, Tottenham High Road, N17.
And don’t miss...
For children, the Famous Black People history quiz, at Highgate library, Shepherd’s Hill, N6, 27 October, 2pm to 4pm, plus African crafts sessions, story-telling and mask-making in libraries and at Bruce Castle Museum through October.
Trace your family history: Two sessions with expert Patrick Vernon on family tree research for people of African Caribbean origin, Wood Green library, 24 October, 7pm to 9pm, and Marcus Garvey library, Philip Lane N15, 31 October, 7pm to 9pm.
For parents, three sessions on preparing a healthy lunchbox for the kids with foods from the Caribbean and Africa, run by Haringey Primary Care Trust, 27 October 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Marcus Garvey library; 28 October, 11am to 1pm, Wood Green library, and 30 October, 11am to 1pm St Ann’s library, Cissbury Road, N15.
All events are free unless stated.
See the What’s On pages for more listings, or pick up the Black History Month brochure in any Haringey library or visit www.haringey.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth for the full programme.
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