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CULTURE: Mural was painted 19 years ago

IN THE early 1900s a Barbadian migrant travelled from his native island in search of work in the UK.

His destination should have been Swindon, but he alighted a stop early and found himself in Reading.

According to community activist Peter Small, the tale of this lone traveller is the reason why Reading, where black people make up four percent of the population, reportedly boasts the largest Bajan population outside of Barbados.

“Many years ago I worked with a guy on a radio show. He has since passed away, but he told me that he came here from Barbados set for Swindon, but got off at the wrong stop.

“His residency here spurred others from Barbados to make the transatlantic trip here. It’s like sheep – they follow each other. It was kind of like a domino effect,” he said.

Peter, who came from Barbados in the 60s, has lived in Reading for 45 years and has spent much of his time championing the black cause in the area.

He was one of the founding members of the Barbados Association and is a key figure in the West Indian Women’s circle, which is one of the oldest black charities in Reading, catering for the elderly black community.

Peter has seen the community change over the years and notes that despite Reading being 40 miles from London, the black community face the same challenges as those in the big city.

He said: “If I have any concerns about the black community in Reading, it’s that I think they are very complacent. I think we need to be more politically focused.

“We have no black representation in politics and we need to encourage black people to come forward. We have loads of young people in Reading, especially with the two universities, so we need to get to them.”

There are many, much like Peter, who work tirelessly to get the black community recognised in the south east of England.

Esther Fleary Griffiths is the manager of the Mary Seacole Day Nursery, just a short ride from Reading’s main station.

The nursery, named after the Jamaican nurse who set up hospitals to care for British soldiers in the Crimean war, has its practices deeply rooted in black culture. This is despite looking after children from various cultures.

“In my mum’s era, all food was cooked from scratch,” she recalls.

“We cook all our meals here from scratch in our on-site kitchen. We wean our children on plantain, pumpkin and yam. For the older kids we feed them, among other things, pounded yam with a thick, rich gravy sauce.”

Esther, was one of the founding members of the nursery when it opened in 1991. She says she was the first and remains the only black manager in Reading to this day.

She is a strong advocate for getting black people into senior roles.

“I used to manage nurseries in Birmingham, where I was born, but then they wanted a black-run nursery in Reading so I came down here for work purposes and never left.

“There were no black managers then and I’m still the only black manager. In management it can be lonely because my colleagues are indigenous and I’m always having to prove myself.

“But in the same breath that makes my experience in Reading much more innovative and empowering.”

She has encouraged young people to get on the career ladder.

When The Voice visited the nursery, David, an enthusiastic teenager, was in the nursery kitchen helping to prepare a meal.

His willingness to work for free during the summer break, which most teenagers spend in front of a computer or with friends, is a reflection of Esther’s appeal.

Of David’s commitment, Esther said: “We get on really well with our young people. We have a lot of them come in and we just like to work with them.

“It is unusual for young people to want to volunteer, especially when they could be at home watching television and playing on the computer.”

She offers three apprenticeships and encourages her staff to gain qualifications whilst working with her.

Nursery nurse Margaret Brown came to the Mary Seacole Day Nursery with no qualifications, but with encouragement she now boasts a National Vocational Qualification in childcare.

“When I started here, I didn’t have anything. But Esther put me on the course and I actually passed. It took me five months,” Margaret said.

“It’s been good. This has been the first black nursery I have worked at, because I’ve worked in other nurseries, and it feels like a family unit with a warm feeling.”

The Mary Seacole Day Nursery is housed in the MAPP complex. The complex is geared towards empowering the community through various enterprises, which includes the nursery, Apollo Youth Club and Phab Family Centre.

Sharon Titus, project co-ordinator for the MAPP complex, explained why it is so important.

“MAPP was born after three partners needed funding for a new building. It was decided that the best way for it to be managed was to house them all in the same complex. MAPP houses all of these groups now.

“Our main goal is to look for ways in which to engage the community both educationally and in social terms, whilst looking at the vulnerable groups of society like single parents, abused children and those who are disabled.

“I’m the project co-ordinator for MAPP and my job is to ensure that that the building is up and running and that the three groups run there.”

Sharon is putting on MAPP’s first business awards ceremony to recognise various

individuals for their positive achievements within Berkshire’s black and minority ethnic community.

She says she is very proud of her town, despite the challenges.

“I’ve lived in a couple of places and for me, I love it! It’s a very safe place and you’ll find that the people around you will look out for you. If you’re recognised and known, it’s a loving and caring community, it’s just that sometimes we can get a bit lazy.”

Strong figures are prevalent throughout Reading. BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Louise Chandler is one of those people.

The vibrant radio presenter hosts a produces a hour-long show on the station and has turned her slot on Sunday evening into a voice for the BBC’s black listeners.

There have been many calls from members of the community, particularly Peter Small, to extend her time on the airwaves.

“The show was actually brought about by members of the black community to BBC Berkshire, who said ‘we need a show!’ Of course I would like another hour, but people have to put it in writing. The BBC are very keen to get feedback from the black community.”

During her show, Louise talks to prominent figures in Reading and cultivates a strong cultural debate.

In her free time, which is few and far between, the local celebrity is also on the planning committee of Reading’s annual carnival.

Now in it’s 32nd year, Reading carnival is one of the main attractions to the town. According to Louise, “It is a massive event organised by a handful of people.”

Pat Allenye is the brains behind the annual street party, and Louise is very quick to point out that all credit should go to her.

“Pat really does all the work and I support her. When it comes to all of the logistics and the safety planning, that’s Pat, and without that the council wouldn’t keep on funding us every year.

“Carnival is the place where everyone can get together, but it’s also to remind Reading of its heritage. My parents came here in the 60s and they’ve contributed to the town like any other citizen. It’s taking that tradition and passing it on.”

On leaving Reading we are stopped in our tracks by a huge wall mural on an unoccupied building, which once housed the African Caribbean Community Group (ACCG).

The building was closed down by the council and has never reopened.

The mural is indicative of the power the building held for the black community. It is full of iconic faces that have changed the fate of black people in modern times.

These include inspirational leader Malcolm X, black nationalist Marcus Garvey, and musical great Bob Marley.

Mark Bartley, vice chairman of the ACCG is campaigning for the council to reopen the building and quash plans of removing its 19-year-old mural.

“They wanted to relocate us, but we’ve told them that we’re not interested. We’re not moving because we’re central and it’s very easy for the old people to get to us – we’re all about the community.”

In it’s heyday, the ACCG centre served the black community in a big way and was the first choice for wedding receptions, christenings, and a fitting venue for the community to meet up and celebrate their culture.

Since it’s closure many have noted that the community as a whole have nowhere to congregate, and many are backing Mark and his team in their attempt to get the site back up and running.

“This is the biggest project that we have. People had to march for us to have this so it’s only right that we fight for it. There’s a lot of segregation in the town and I would like to bring us together. That’s my eventual goal,” Mark said.

Published: 17 August 2009
Issue: 1385

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