EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY
Autumn 2014 saw Heritage Corner engage with a number of partners, particularly for Black History Month.
Schools in Leeds and London were introduced to a new approach of Black history from a British perspective. The Heritage Corner Walk also played a significant role in Leeds University's BHM programme this year.
Heritage Corner's work with community groups included an outburst of 'Cassius' from Julius Ceasar for Chicken Shop Shakespeare's October film event. Actors from this exciting new company also took on readings prepared by Heritage Corner for a special BHM event at Leeds Civic Hall, organised by Equality Leeds.
One of the community highlights was a presentation talk at the Church of God of Prophecy, on Easterly Road. Many thanks to the members who opened the door to a rich discussion on Black History. Heritage Corner spoke on African royal connections to Leeds and how they relate to the bible. With presentations also from church members and young people, the food served afterwards was enough to float me to heaven! A similar event was shared at Jamaica House in January, originally booked for December. Again the discussions and hospitality were warm, generous and uplifting.
Many groups made the monthly Heritage Corner Walks in 2014
"I just wanted to tell you that I found all the history connected to the university and the city of Leeds fascinating" - Student, University of Leeds, October 2014
LEEDS CITY ACADEMY received an engaging package of work from Heritage Corner for Black History Month 2014.
Participants went out of their way to shake the hand of their guide at the end of the Heritage Corner Walk as they discovered so much African history connected to their local environment.
On the doorstep of the Leeds City Academy (formerly City of Leeds School) - is of course Woodhouse Moor - where in 1847, Britain's most successful circus proprietor of African origin, Pablo Fanque (above), entertained thousands of thrilled spectators at a special event marking the repeal of the Corn Laws.
After the walk, Heritage Corner was invited back to Leeds City Academy for a special assembly, where a reading from the autobiography of Thomas Rutling (below) was read. Rutling was a member of the hugely popular Fisk Jubilee Singers, who brought songs like 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' to the British shores. 2015 marks the centenary of his passing away in Harrogate in 2015.