Black History Month - Helping us to 'Understand Our Past and Our Present'

October is Black History Month, and Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are encouraging everyone to take the opportunity to learn more about Black History and Heritage here in Bedford Borough and beyond.

To mark Black History Month 2020, The Higgins Bedford is putting on a Black History Month Trail in partnership with the Legacy of Windrush Descendants (LOWD) Learning Hub and Nubian Teachings. The Trail has been extended to continue until the end of December, and you can find out more about it on the Higgins Bedford website here

Kingsbrook Ward Liberal Democrat Cllr Patrick Solomon worked with LOWD on a council motion in support of the Windrush generation and their families, which won unanimous support at a Full Council meeting earlier this year. He said: "Black History is very much a part of Bedford Borough's History, and I hope people from across our communities take some time during Black History Month to learn more. I'm pleased that The Higgins Bedford and other local venues and groups are taking the opportunity to increase awareness of these important stories, which help us all to understand our past and our present."

The Black History Month Trail introduces visitors to historic and modern day black people, inspired by the exhibitions and displays across the galleries at the museum. On arrival at The Higgins Bedford, visitors can pick up a trail sheet that will ask questions about the people included on the trail. By visiting the various exhibitions that the museum has to offer, visitors will find answers to the questions on their sheet.

Meanwhile, you can learn more about a previous exhibition at the Higgins Bedford on Bedford's Windrush generation, the 'Paved With Gold' exhibition, and enjoy the exhibition online, at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Exhibitions/Bedfords-Windrush-Generation-Online-Exhibition.aspx

A number of other local groups and organisations have been promoting Black History Month 2020 in a variety of ways. Foster Hill Road Cemetery in Bedford highlighted the fascinating story of one of the cemetery's 'Pioneering Women of Bedfordshire', Pearl Thomson. You can find out more here.

Meanwhile, during Black History Month Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has sent over 40 books, resources and quizzes to fire stations across the county to discuss topics on black history, as reported on their Facebook page here.