Inter-generational project celebrates Black History Month
A mural helping young and older people celebrate Black History Month (October) has been unveiled in Rugby.
It was created by members of the local community to highlight African and Caribbean history and heritage in the borough, and is supported by Warwickshire County Council’s Youth Justice Service, Rugby Borough Council and the Rugby Round Table.
The inter-generational project recognises people from African and Caribbean backgrounds who have played a big part in Rugby’s cultural development, from teachers to cooks and from doctors to athletes.
With assistance of artists David Male and ceramicist Lesley French, participants designed the mural, created and painted the tiles, which were then glazed and mounted in wooden frames and weather-proofed.
The frames were then mounted on to the wall of the car park at the West Indian Centre on St Peters Road before it was unveiled at an event last Saturday (17 October), attended by former Olympic Heptathlete Judy Livermore-Simpson.
Heather Shilling, Operations Manager (Interventions) for Warwickshire Youth Justice Service, said: “Rugby, like the rest of Warwickshire, is so culturally diverse and has a rich heritage influenced by people from a wide range of backgrounds.
“This project highlights the importance of this and at the same time, helps close the generation gap between young and older people while raising awareness of the different cultures that have helped shape the town today.”
For more information about the Warwickshire Youth Justice Service, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yot.