Black History Month kicks off

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More than 60 events, including mini-carnival, theatre, poetry, hip-hop and football.

Council staff and other guests enjoyed African-Caribbean food and a presentation on black history at the launch of a month of celebrations to mark the achievements of people from black and ethnic minorities in this borough and around the world.

More than 60 Black History Month events are taking place in Hammersmith & Fulham this month, with the programme catering for all ages.
Highlights include a mini-carnival for children and young people, theatre, poetry, authors’ readings, a hip-hop live show, football matches, events in schools, a gala
ball and a family variety show.

On Friday 1st October, the mayor, Cllr Charlie Treloggan, joined the launch of this year’s celebrations in the staff canteen at Hammersmith Town Hall. Council staff and guests enjoyed a special African-Caribbean menu – with dishes including goat curry and jerk chicken – while Clarence Thompson MBE, chair of the West Indian Standing Conference, gave a presentation on black history.

Cllr Treloggan said: “This fantastic array of events celebrate the achievements of pioneering black and ethnic minority figures in our history and the enriching contributions of those in the borough today. Their achievements provoke strong feelings of pride, demonstrated by the wide
range of people who have come together to put on these events. My thanks to
everyone involved.”

Cllr Treloggan has also appealed for local people to support efforts to collect food and supplies for hurricane survivors in the Caribbean. Donations by cheque or postal order made payable to ‘Disaster Relief Fund’ can be sent to the Grenada High Commission, 5 Chandos Street, London W1G 9DG.

Highlights of Black History Month in Hammersmith & Fulham

Children’s mini-carnival – Hammersmith Town Hall – 3pm, Friday 29 October
Children who attend centres run by the council’s play service, which provide after-school and holiday activities, will focus their activities around black history. Parents/carers will be invited to participate and contribute, particularly with story-telling and cooking activities. The main activity will be preparation, including costume-making, for a children’s mini-carnival at Hammersmith Town Hall on October 29th, featuring a tea, disco and dance demonstration with a guest appearance by Cbeebies presenter Sidney Sloane. (More…highlights cont)

Henry Compton School, Fulham
Programme of events for pupils, including: street dance workshops; debating competition with Lady Margaret School, Fulham; Raising Horizons seminar with prominent black and ethnic minority guest speakers from a range of professions; international food day.

Emancipate your mind
Saturday 16 October 2004
Hammersmith Town Hall
7.30pm to 2.00am
British historians and educators plus Dimela Yekwai - African Caribbean poet and storyteller. Conscientious Music by Blue Mediation Sound featuring Selector Shorts and Power Cat, 020 8531 1773

Kick racism out of football
Between 14th and 26th October
the football family will unite against racism, for Kick It Out’s national week of action.
Saturday 16 October
Fulham vs Liverpool
QPR vs West Ham
Saturday 23 October
Chelsea Vs Blackburn Rovers
For information www.kickitout.org

African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
Thursday 21 October
African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
Hammersmith Town Hall,
10.00am - 6.00pm, 020 8667 1122
In conjunction with Black History Month the ACLT are urgently appealing to all African Caribbean and people of mixed parentage between the ages of 18 and 45 to come forward and register as lifesavers for the many leukaemia and blood related patients within our community, at home and abroad.

Riverside Studios
Film double bill
Sunday 17 October,
Riverside Studios
Pressure (15) and Smile Orange (12)
Booking Office 0208 237 1111

Black to the Future
The ‘must see’ family variety show
for Black History Month 2004.
Friday 22 October 2004
Hammersmith Town hall
7.15pm - 10.00pm
An unstoppable evening of music, dance, poetry, song, comedy and drama.
For tickets contact: 07956805977

Inaugural Gala Ball
Saturday 30 October, 6.00pm - 2.00am
The Olympia Conference Centre Including steel band, dancers, fundraising auction and dancing until late. Dress black tie or traditional costume.
£65.00, £45.00 and £30.00,
0870 242 4736
www.black-heritage.com

October 17, 2004