The arrival of the Empire Windrush, the start of Notting Hill Carnival and the race riots of 1919 are among the subjects covered in a series of talks and workshops at The National Archives, in Kew. Most of the events are free to attend.
Sat 12 Nov (12-1pm) Talk by Goldsmiths design lecturer Rose Sinclair, Dorcas stories: archives, spaces, memories and making. Dorcas societies were groups of Caribbean women engaged in textile crafts. The talk is followed by a craft session looking at textiles (including designs for Junkanoo) in the archives. Talk free, workshop (2 – 4pm) £5.
Sat 26 Nov (12-4.30pm) – Caribbean family history day. A day of talks and workshops with genealogist and historian Selena Carty, founder of BlackPoppyRose; historian and Voice journalist Steve Martin; and archivist Guy Grannum, who specialises in colonial history and Caribbean genealogy. Selena and Guy will discuss Caribbean family history and migration to the UK, while Steve will open our eyes to the race riots. Free.
Tue 29 Nov (2-4pm) – Black British history. This promises to be a fascinating exploration of original documents from the archives relating to the 1919 riots, the arrival of the Windrush in 1948 and the founding of Notting Hill Carnival. £10.
- The National Archives, at Bessant Drive, Kew, Surrey TW9 4DU, is a short walk from Kew Gardens and Kew Bridge stations and is served by bus R68. Find out more and book your place at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/whats-on/events.
