This Black History Month 2019 we had whole host of varied events in Lewisham Libraries for adults and children. These included visits from Historians David Olusoga and Paul Crooks, an Open Mic Session from the Lewisham Multicultural Writers Group, African Drumming and lots of Craft Sessions.
We have highlighted some of them here.
Official opening of Black History Month in Lewisham
To kick off black History month, there was an official opening in Civic Suite, Catford 1st October 2019.The evening was opened by Arthur Torrington next up was Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan.
Followed by Mayoress of Lewisham Barbara Gray
There was a presentation about the library project What's The Story, a youth project in Lewisham. What's the Story was a series of oral history interviews and first-hand accounts of the 40th Anniversary of The Battle of Lewisham documented by young people, a collaboration between Goldsmiths and Lewisham Libraries.
There was a rousing and moving poetry performance by local poet Joel Christie.
David Gleave, from the Windrush Foundation delivered an informative presentation. The night ended with delightful choruses from
Sandhurst Primary School Choir
Various Book Displays, Games and Activities
Caribbean Cuisine memory game
Lewisham LibraryPlay this game and see if you can guess the top ten African and Caribbean dishes.
Treasure Hunt
Downham Library
Find notable figures from black history around the library and learn more about who they are and their link to Lewisham – win a prize for finding everyone!
Painting display
Jacqui Cooke’s painting of Maya Angelou will be on display in Lewisham Library for Black History Month.Open Mic Poetry night
Library @Deptford Lounge3rd October
Was hosted by the Lewisham Multicultural Writers group to celebrate National Poetry Day.
Performance
- Christine from Lewisham Multicultural Writers Group
- Otis from Torridon Writers Group performed poem about Windrush experience
- Enomwoyi Damali from Lewisham Multicultural Writers Group told an Anasy story about knowledge
- Lisa Haight from Torridon Writers Group performed poem called Zayne
- Sophie Harriot Reading from Jeremy Strong My Dad has an Alligator
- Lydia performed poem about life truths
- Marilyn from Lewisham Writers Group performed poem on Friendships
Open Mic section
Performers included T.Lee-Poet reading from his book Mixpages, The Wind That Found Ink: A journey of thoughts
Lewisham Multicultural Writers group meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month 2.30-3.30 in Lewisham Library. New members are always welcome.
Visit from Joseph Coelho
Lewisham Library
10th October
Joseph Coelho who is doing a library marathon arrived in Lewisham just in time for Libraries week!
He is travelling the country and aims to join a library in every region of the UK starting in May 2019. That's about 209 Libraries out of the current public libraries in 101 districts of the UK
He came from Canning Town library arrived in
Lewisham Library at about 12 noon before dashing off to Croydon Library. He borrowed
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.
BMH Film Screenings at Downham Library
Downham Library
Saturdays 12:30pm-2:30pm
Sundays 1:00pm - 3:00pm
We showed a selection of film for the Sunday Film and Saturday Family Film sessions
For the adults, we showed a wide selection, including classics such as The Honey Trap, Black Panther, Malcolm X and Selma.
Our younger visitors were treated to
Akeelah and the Bee, Cinderella ,The Princess and the Frog and The Wiz.
The films in Downham Library are shown in Meeting Room 2 on the second floor.
Peace of Cake
Library @Deptford Lounge10th October
The event started off with a introduction from Rachel New and Asma Meer.
Guests enjoyed tea, doughnuts, fairy cakes, Victoria sponges, triple chocolate muffins, homemade pistachio cakes and a wide selection of fruit.
Invitees talked to each other about their work, favourite books and perceptions of cultures as seen through news reports.
Craft African drum making
Library @Deptford Lounge13th October
We had a craft session in the Library at Deptford Lounge. In the session children created African drums using cups, string and cellophane.
Paul Crooks in Lewisham Library
Lewisham Library19th October
Paul Crooks attended Lewisham Library to give a rousing talk about his journey to find his own family history and find out why slavery was abolished in the British colonies.
His has written several books including Ancestors and A tree without roots, the guide to tracing British, African and Asian Caribbean ancestry
If you are interested in family history, we have lots of resources in the library to get you started with your research.
Anansi Craft Session
Library @DeptfordLoungeSaturday 12th October
Lots of children came to create Anansi,part spider, part man, who wears 8 shoes!
This took place in the Children's Library.
African Dance Workshop
Crofton Park Library19th October
Alanouwaly Salafou Sylvia Foundation
Crofton Park library for an African Dance workshop.
Guests were able to explore the moves of West African Dance and music with professional Senegalese dancer Pape Thiam
At the end of the dance session Ms Hanna Heissenbuettel give more information on the traditional dance and the work of the Alanouwaly Salifou Sylla Foundation.
Caribbean takeover
TriniTea & Cakes was at the Library café with a selection of rum cakes, carrot cakes, lemon drizzle and more.Visitors were able to learn more about the history of cakes from the Caribbean.
There was an exhibition to compliment this session called " A History of West African Music" which was in the Children's library
Art Exhibition by Quiet Hunter
Downham LibraryWe had a display by local artist Quiet Hunter who is based in Lewisham.
The display called Shhh- Soul Searching and Spiritualist Healing, is dedicated to art as a means for self discovery and spiritual healing.
Her work is introspective often driven by dreams, emotions, spirituality and her personal history.
On display were 11 works of art including Hey Little Buddha Baby, Love Leekz, Exhale, Black Chiney, Fables, Untitled, Clarivoyance and Ascending.
Jamaican Maroon experience
Library @Deptford Lounge20 October
Fatima and her healing circle made all the guests feel good. She taught the visitors a little more about themselves through her Jamaican Maroon experience.
Celebrating Toni Morrison
Downham Library25 October
A group of Toni Morrison fans got together for a special reading group and coffee morning.
They discussed her fiction, non-fiction and the impact she made on the world.
Find Toni Morrison books in our Overdrive collection.
Jewellery Making Craft session
Library @Deptford LoungeSat 26 October
Children made beautiful Zambia-inspired chokers on Saturday morning between 11.00-12.00. They created these designs using plates, glitter and fabric scraps.
Patrice Lawrence
Forest Hill Library25 October 2019
The award winning TEEN author Patrice Roberts whose debut YA novel, Orangeboy, won the Bookseller YA Prize and the Waterstones Prize for Older Children's Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award and many regional awards.
Patrice went to Forest Hill Library for a Book Reading, Signing and Q&A.
BMH Film screenings Deptford Lounge
Library @Deptford LoungeMondays 5.00-7.00
Saturdays 2.30-4.30
We showed a selection of film for the Movie Mondays and Saturday Family Film sessions
For the adults, we showed a wide selection, including classics such as Amazing Garce , To Sir With Love, and the modern blockbusters If Beale Street could Talk , Malcom X.
The Childrens Films shown on Saturday between 2.30-4.30 on the ground floor of the Library @Deptford Lounge, were:
Madagascar, Akeela and the Bee, Space Jam and Home.
Information stands
We had a variety of Information stands in our libraries, including A World Mental Health Day display in Crofton Park Library on the 10th October. The Theme for 2019 was Suicide Prevention.A Start-up Day event for local entrepreneurs - part of our Start-ups in London Libraries programme on the 11October in Lewisham Library. Local organisations such as Lewisham Local and Adult Education Lewisham, also attended.
Orchid attended Lewisham Library on 23rd October. Orchid is the UK’s leading charity working on behalf of anyone affected by or interested in male cancer – prostate, testicular and penile cancer.
Lewisham Reading Group
Lewisham Library20th October
The Lewisham Library reading group met for
refreshments and a discussion of Andrea Levy’s award winning novel Small Island.
The Lewisham Library Reading group meets on third Saturday of the month, 10.30am–12 noon.
Tippa Irie and Peter Lowe
Lewisham Library31st October
Peter Lowe gave a live reading of his reggae influenced pilot script 1985.
The reading was followed by a Q&A with reggae star Tippa Irie.
Caribbean refreshments were provided.
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