Black History Month looks at African links

THE North Wales Association for Multicultural Integration/The Centre for Cultural Interchange (NWAMI/CCE) launches Black History Month today (Thursday).

An Open Day of activities and information about Black History will take place at Greenfield Road, Colwyn Bay from 10.30-8pm. This is a free event.

It promises to be a great day with presentations by guest speakers at 11am, 2pm, 4pm and 7pm, and not to be missed are the stories about the background and purpose of Black History Month, and the research done in the past few years by members of the North Wales Black History Network.

It includes the amazing story about Colwyn Bay’s African Institute and the support given to the African trainees by local people, with a visit at 1pm to the Tabernacl (which is situ- ated close to the Centre for Cultural Exchange) which was built for Rev William Hughes who set up the successful African Institute in Colwyn Bay.

Also the shared history between plantations in the Caribbean and estates in North Wales - the industrial and agricultural links that benefited communities in North and Mid Wales.

Additionally you can learn about the connection HM Stanley (of ‘Doctor Livingstone I presume’ fame) has with North Wales, as we lead a debate about whether we should celebrate or vilify this famous explorer who was born in North Wales.

All this North Wales history will be tempered with the delights of poetry, music, dance capoeira and drumming, making for a fantastic day out.

Interested? Please contact Liz by email liz- millman@yahoo.co.uk 569489

Also check out www.nwbhm.com for further information and Facebook: North Wales Black History Network.

The event is funded by the Colwyn Bay Town Council.

The second event of Black History Month / NWAMI /CCE is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, at the Colwyn Bay Town Hall on Rhiw Road, at 6pm: Civic Reception at Colwyn Bay Town Hall with recognition for Outstanding Black Women, with special guest author Charlotte Williams, whose book Sugar and Slate tells of growing up in Colwyn Bay. Charlotte is now based in Melbourne, Australia.

The event is free but again, contact lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk or 07711569489 to confirm your attendance as there is limited space.

or phone 07711