On 23rd March the Swindon Black History Group came into school to perform their play ‘From Cradle to Grave’. Based on life in a typical Caribbean Village in the 1940’s, it features thoughts and stories from Caribbean people living in Swindon.The company use dramatic story telling to inform the viewer about their lives coming from Caribbean to live in Swindon in the 1940’s.

The play was watched by 60 Yr 9 drama students and 30 Yr 9 history students. The aim of the performance viewing and discussion was to enhance the drama and history curriculum via Performing Arts. Also to enable students to understand issues relating to Global Citizenship and to promote the work of the Swindon Black History Group

 The Swindon Group
" Originally we were a small group of people who came together to share experiences and respond to the “Black History Month” initiative, which takes place in October each year and celebrates the contribution of Black people to history, art and culture."

"Some of our early experiences in this country were difficult… many of us had been in Britain since the 1950’s when, for example, we’d been faced with barriers such as accommodation signs stating “No blacks, No Irish need apply”. Life was not easy."

" Our children and grandchildren, for the most part, are faced with education without a Black outlook and some as a result grow up angry or without a pride in their race or culture, sometimes suffering from a tendency to have little self-respect. "

"Today we are able to remember and tell our stories with song and humour. We felt that Black history and positive images of black people were missing in the education system and at older level and so staged sell-out performances of “Me Memba Wen”, which was based on personal experiences of group members." Tom Harris

Storytelling is an important and fascinating way of communicating, passing on knowledge, history, using imagination, enthusing - at all ages. There was a wealth of skilled storytellers able to relate from memory centuries of history they’d learnt. This skill was often passed from father to son and they were highly regarded in a village. The visit of a storyteller to any village was reason to celebrate.

The production has been enabled by funding from the national lottery, Swindon Borough Council and GWR Charity Appeal.