Artefact must be preserved

AFTER the tirade of verbal comment over the last two weeks regarding the ‘Black’s

Head’ anomaly, it is somewhat disappointing to see how people now view this figurehead.

I fear most have a misconception of what it is and what it represents.

Although comments by D Waring sought to redress and balance the contention, sadly there is a ring of truth about councillors’ ulterior motives and their issues.

It is worrying that many opinions are now formed from the rather dubious and shallow ‘in vogue’ emotional environment we now find ourselves in.

The current general view and subsequent direction of this anomaly is misconceived, many comments are misappropriated, please take a ‘rain check.’

Last week’s retaliation to the DDDC is well founded, the retort by Cllr Brown substantiates criticism of previous decisions from them, one in question and a major reason for discontent with regard to the Black’s Head, is the motion passed creating a caveat that ‘it must never go back’! I just ask, where is the racism coming from?

I am no historian but I do search for answers and read appropriate material (Kaufmann’s Black

Tudors is worth a read), it puts in perspective life in England for the black person during the Tudor period (1485-1603) and prior to what is termed as ‘slavery’ (16631807).

Along with other research I find the plight of dark skinned races in this country during Tudor times intriguing.

The following Africans/moors are detailed in Miriam Kaufmann’s ‘Black Tudors’:

John Blanke - Trumpeter / Jacques Francis – Salvage Diver / Diego – Circumnavigator / Edward Swarthye – Porter / Reasonable Blackman – Silk Weaver / Mary Fillis – Moroccan Convert / Dederi Jaquoah – Prince / John Anthony – Mariner / Anne Cobbie – Tawny Moor / Cattelena of Almondsbury – all these characters

and more were in our society before the slave trade began, becoming part of our society, contributing to it, making an impression, to such an extent they were noticed, they were appreciated and in many cases respected.

Don’t let there lives go unnoticed, maybe our ‘black man’s’ effigy is a statement of their early existence amongst us and should be respected. I would ask the black community to offer constructive comment.

I also put it to you that circa 1552, the government decreed that all public houses should be attributed a name. The Blackamoor Inn was likely named prior to 1663 when slave trading became established.

Why would ‘The Blackamoor Inn’ be a chosen name?

Though a little convoluted, Swabey’s research lends credence to the degree in which a black person can rise within the community and is plausible.

This lifelike figurehead likely deserves to be in a prominent position recognising their early presence and contribution made to this country.

To me it is counter intuitive to campaign for removing the figurehead for anti-racial reasons, effectively sweeping the black person ‘under the carpet,’ out of the way, out of sight.

Surely that is not right, he should be there out of respect and recognition of their contribution and the difficult times they endured to be part of this nation.

All that said, the gallows (a proper ‘King’s English’ description) is by definition intended to ‘support’ – with the ‘head’ removed and the Green Man sign beneath missing there is nothing to support, neither is there a real inn any more!

It will never look right just as a gantry and whilst the road remains a main highway (A515), it is in no way practical to pursue retaining the structure.

Re-site it ? Yes, there are places it could be sited with great effect, though only worthwhile if complete with Black’s Head surmounted and Green Man swinging below. If and when the road is declassified, it could be returned to its rightful place.

There are those who say ‘if ever the head was replaced, it would be trashed’ and effectively destroyed true, I’m sure it would, therefore as an historic artefact it does need to be preserved and cared for, as suggested, in a museum type environment with its full historic story alongside.

It would not negate the possibility to re-establish the whole sign complete some time, as a facsimile of the original head can be created of a composite material and be more durable, long lasting, less maintenance.

Keith Haywood Ashbourne