Black History Month

Trust Thamesmead is celebrating Black History Month with residents and school and pre-school pupils of Thamesmead during this October.

The Trust has commissioned various companies to entertain and educate Thamesmead residents and various pupils about black history and this year's theme, ‘Celebrating the bicentenary anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act'.

Trust Thamesmead's Chief Executive Mick Hayes said: “Trust Thamesmead works closely with many community groups, residents and schools in Thamesmead by hiring groups to educate people about different topics, so I feel proud that Heartstone's ‘Descendants of all worlds' photojournalism exhibition regarding the abolition of the salve trade act will be featuring in our reception area for all to see throughout the whole month of October.” Funded by the Home Office, the exhibition will be available to view 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, 1-31 October in the reception area of Trust Thamesmead, 19a Joyce Dawson Way in Thamesmead Town Centre.

On Tuesday 2 October Whipper Snappers drama group will be entertaining Trust Thamesmead's pre-schools, Acorn and Arnott with a West African tale titled ‘The Leopard and the Drum', followed by a workshop where children can play with some of the instruments and artifacts from the play.

Whipper Snappers will be returning to Thamesmead on Wednesday 3 October when they will be performing the same West African tale to infants to two Thamesmead primary schools.

“Trust Thamesmead commissioned Whipper Snappers to perform at local primary schools and its two pre-schools last year. Their drama and music workshops worked really well and we are pleased to be hiring them again this year. I am sure they are going to be another huge success.” said Trust Thamesmead's Art & Events Coordinator Danny Thorpe.

Then on Monday 8 October an all female drumming group Drumher, who have developed a specific performance exploring the subject of slavery through music and drama will be performing in front of junior classes at two different Thamesmead primary schools.

Trust Thamesmead is also commissioning Rachel Mkumanda to talk to Team Steps about her eye witness account of how young people took the lead of the uprising in South Africa in 1976. She will also be talking to young people about the positive changes they can make by using positive strategies as opposed to anti social activity.