Black History Month in North Wales 2015.
Black History Month North Wales Launch 1st Oct 2015
This year the launch was hosted at the Centre for Cultural Engagement, Greenfield Road, Colwyn Bay LL29 8EL on Thursday 1st October 2015 with an Open Day of activities and information about Black History from 10.30am through till 8pm.
The launch by the Mayor of Colwyn Bay, Cllr Dr Sibani Roy, welcomed guests to endorse the event, followed by a presentation by Dr Marian Gwyn on “Black History - Discovering the past in North Wales”.
At 1.00pm there was an opportunity to visit the nearby Capel Tabernacle, built for Rev William Hughes. This property is now on the market and has brilliant potential to become a Heritage Centre in Colwyn Bay.
Then we welcomed Yoruba Chief Elwyn Williams, who now lives on his sheep farm in Penygoes, who told us his story and signed copies of his book.
Ebed shared some of his poetry with us.
At 4:00pm we held a discussion will be about the life and time of Rev William Hughes and his successful African Institute established in Colwyn Bay in 1890.
After an Indian banquet hosted by Sibani Roy, the event concluded with a showcase by Capoeira Mocambo, with drumming and dancing.
We also had an additional focus on celebrating the achievements of Black Women in Wales. A special event was held at Colwyn Bay Town Hall hosted by the Mayor of Colwyn Bay, Cll. Dr. Sibani Roy on Wednesday 14th October. Local girl, Charlotte Williams, author of "Sugar and Slate", now Deputy Dean in Social Work at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, sent her best wishes. All the women who received awards had exceptional stories and valued the recognition they received.We also
The Drum Celebration in Bangor High Street on Saturday 31st October was the Month's finale and drew a big crowd.
Here is the programme for the month:
Thurs 1st Oct: North Wales BHM Launch and Open Day at the new Centre for Cultural Engagement in Greenfield Road, Colwyn Bay LL29 8EL from 10.30am through to 8.00pm. A FREE event with a range of interesting speakers and opportunities for discussion.
Fri 2nd Oct: Galeri, Caernavon presents Seckou Keita, the celebrated West African Cora Player who has gained worldwide acclaim.
Sun 4th Oct: Snowdonia National Park Study Centre, in Blaenau Festiniog is holding a course led by Dr Marian Gwyn, with a focus on how and where the profit and fortunes created by engagement in the slave trade and plantation ownership in the Caribbean were spent in North Wales.
Sun 4th Oct Nigerian Fashion Show at Oscar's in Bangor High Street from 6pm.
Mon 5th Oct: and every Monday in October. AFRICAN ZUMBA WORKSHOPS @ Menai Bridge Memorial Centre, Water St, LL59 5DD from 7.00pm - 8.00pm.
Sat 10th Oct: Start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week. Let us know if you plan to hold a candlelight vigil or have other ideas to raise awareness of ways to tackle and address Hate Crime. Check out www.stophateuk.org
Sun 11th Oct: 2 - 4pm: Workshop with NW BHM Advisor Dr Marian Gwyn to explore the aspects of Black History that we can focus on in each county or area.
Mon 12th Oct: and every Monday in October. AFRICAN ZUMBA WORKSHOPS @ Menai Bridge Memorial Centre, Water St, LL59 5DD from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. Traditional West African, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian dance. Open to all ages and levels, including complete beginners. £5 per session. For more info contact Helen McGreary www.dance-classes-north-wales.co.uk Phone 07751 017157 or check Facebook Group 'Dance Classes North Wales' or just turn up any Monday, including Half Term Week which starts early at 6.30pm.
Wed 14th Oct: BHM Civic Reception at Colwyn Bay Town Hall at 6pm with recognition for Outstanding Black Women.
Fri 15th Oct: Meeting with Colwyn Bay History Society at CCE and BHM Reading and Research Group at CCE.
Sat 17th Oct: International Day of Hope and Remembrance for those affected by Hate Crime – opening of World Peace Cafe in Llandudno.
Mon 19th Oct: Meeting at Dollgellau Archives with Merioneth Historical Society to explore possibilities of undertaking research into the story of the wealth the town gained from the production of Welsh Plains for traders and plantation owners. This was followed by a discovery walk around the town.
Wed 21st Oct: Heritage Lottery Fund Workshop @ 2.00pm at CCE in Colwyn Bay. More details contact Liz Millman 07711560489
Sat 24th Oct: Free coach to Cardiff to take part in the All Wales BHM Celebration Event at the Millennium Centre. Leaving Bangor, Colwyn Bay and Wrexham. For more details contact: Marian Mbuh
Sun 25th Oct: “Black Women, Black Heritage” 2.00pm – 6.00pm @ Glyndwr University, Racecourse Stadium, Mold Road Wrexham LL 11 2AH. This follows th eall Wales theme of Celebrating the Conributions made by Black Women in Wales and around the world. There are a great range of performers including the “Smile of Hope Dancers” with African Food on sale. This is a free family friendly event.
Thurs 29th Oct: Enrico Stennett Awards, starting with a buffet at 6pm in the Church Hall at Llandygai, Bangor LL57 4HY with guest speaker, Dr Marian Gwyn, speaking about "Wales and Slavery" followed by presentations by Mary Stennett to representatives of organisations and individuals who continue with the work her husband championed throughout his life and who today challenge racism, who support ethnic minorities in North Wales and who are working to address the increasing hate crime in our communities.
Fri 30th Oct: Jamaica Day: starting with lunch at 12.00 in Upper Bangor, this will be in the Penrhyn/Bangor area organised by the North Wales Jamaica Society. Additional Enrico Stennett Awards will be presented and then Dr Marian Gwyn will talk about the links between Penrhyn Castle and Jamaica, followed by an opportunity to go on a visit around Penrhyn Castle.
Fri 31st Oct: 7pm Jamaica Day Dinner - venue to be arranged. contact Liz Millman 07711569489
Sat 31st Oct: **** Drum Celebration 2015**** @ 12.00 in Bangor High Street with Bloco Swn, Batala Bangor and Project Cuba, with new community drummers who have taken part in our workshops.
Sat 31st Oct: 3pm: Service of Remembrance of the life and times of Rev William Hughes at his Tabernacle in Colwyn Bay. Contact 07711569489 for more information and to confirm event.
Sat 31st Oct: BHM Finale at Oscars in Bangor High Street, with a celebration of 20 years of Samba in Bangor! A great evening with music and food!
**** Gain drumming skills and join in the Drum Celebration 2015! ****
Batala Drumming Workshops for Beginners £2.50 per session on Sat 3rd, 10th and 17th October from 12 – 4 @ Tregarth Community Centre, Bangor LL57 4AE
Project Cuba: Hand Drumming Workshops on Sun 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October @ TOGY, (Bangor end of Menai Bridge)
Pre booking essential: contact Colin on 07773798199
Youth Drumming Workshops (in half term) On Thurs 29th and Fri 30th Oct from 10 – 3 @ TOGY, (Bangor end of Menai Bridge) Cost: 1 day £20 or 2 days £30
Pre booking essential: contact Colin on 07773798199
Final Rehearsal for the Drumming Celebration 2015 Fri 30th Oct from 5.30 – 7.30 @ ????? £5 contribution requested