Never Forget

Commemorating the bicentenary of the Act to abolish the slave trade

'Never Forget' - that is Lambeth Council's message, as the date to commemorate the bicentenary of the passing of an Act to abolish the slave trade draws near. March 25th marks that day, and the council will host a number of free commemorative events over the coming year in remembrance of this.

A £45,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has funded the programme of events, the first of which takes place on Sunday March 25th at Clapham Library. More than 150 invited guests will attend a commemorative launch, followed by a guided tour around Clapham with local historian and author Steve Martin. The tour will take in the area’s extraordinary links to the slave trade and the abolition campaign. People interested in attending the walk should meet outside the Holy Trinity Church on Clapham Common 4pm.

Activity highlights over the coming months include:

- An African-Caribbean family history course. Participants will learn how to investigate and research their family history and trace their genealogical lines. - An opportunity to have a confidential DNA test to try and trace your genealogical roots. - Interactive reading groups linking reading circles from Lambeth with those in West Africa and the Caribbean using video conferencing technology.

- A public debate on the meaning and significance of the events of 1807 with panellists including Lee Jasper, Colin Prescod, Meg Munn MP, and a youth debate led by radio broadcaster and journalist Henry Bonsu.

- A Caribbean book fair in Brixton Library providing a showcase for much recent writing on the subject of the slave trade, Councillor Lorna Campbell, deputy cabinet member for Inclusion said: "March 25th, the bi-centenary of the Act to abolish the slave trade, is an important historic day and many elements of slavery such as human trafficking still exist today. It is fitting that we should ensure that the day is properly marked."

"I urge all comers, from for all communities, from all backgrounds and from all age groups, to join us in commemorating this historic event."

Councillor Lib Peck, cabinet member for environment and culture said: "It is incredibly important to Lambeth to mark the 200 year anniversary of the passing of the Act to abolish slave trade in Britain. We must never forget the suffering of so many thousands and the fight to abolish the trade in human beings."

"There are many community and council activities taking place across the borough throughout the year to mark March 25th 1807. I hope that residents, young and old, will join us to reflect on past events".

For a full list of Lambeth Council events commemorating the abolition of the slave trade, log onto www.lambeth.gov.uk/abolition
To contact: phone 020 7926 0750 or email abolition@lambeth.gov.uk