Page 28 - link magazine

28
Sw,r of Wide
A slice of Caribbean life
A new play based on the experiences of members of Swindon's Black History Group will bring wartime in the Caribbean to life in October.
Chairman. Tom Harris, was de- since emancipa- sion between the generations, both
li ghted that a lottery grant of £8,500 ti on. There was during the writing process and
has been received to fund the chronic unem- when it is performed. The storyline
project. "This is excellent news and ployment, little has evolved over many months as
worth all the time spent on prepar- health care to the thoughts of local people have
ing the application. The grant will n speak of. poverty been collected and anecdotes re-
t^
allow us to produce a quality piece and illness was called.
of work in a professional way. which prevalent. Swindon Black History Group de-
hopefully will also inspire new mem- "World War II veloped from the Caribbean Lunch-
bers to join us. L F was a defining eon Club and aims to show the
The play will tell a story based 5 moment in history positive side of black history. Since
on true-to-life events and memo- -. and it opened the 2001, members have put on suc-
ri es. with plenty of West Indian world up inciud- cessful shows and exhibitions and
humour. Life in the Caribbean re- I ing the Carib- last year's Gospel night was a sell
mained pretty much unchanged Tom Harris centre with members bean. At the time out.
of theB/ackH1storyGroup we still enjoyed The play will be performed at
ourselves and this play is about New College Theatre on Friday 10
the traditional customs which and Saturday 11 November, 7pm
) / formed our lives and made us the Tickets £6; £3.50 children, from
9^^^^ people we are today." Swindon Information Centre or
at SHAW RIDGE
. " SWINDON The play will encourage discus- New College.
SOLidarity with Ocotal for twenty years

In 1986 a small group from Swindon interested in Central America had
l l a vision to raise awareness of the situation there and show solidarity
with the people.
- - - Twenty years on, Swindon
Ocotal Link (SOL) is still dedicated
De Vere Shaw Ridge Swind to offering support and friendship
Shaw Ridge Leisure Pi to the town of Ocotal in Nicaragua.
Whitehill N
Swindon. SN5 71 Bruce Clarke was part of the
Tel: 01793 878' original group and has been in-
Fax: 01793 877:
E: [email protected] volved with SOL since formaly twin-
www.devereshawridqe.co
ning took place in 1990. He ex-
plained how donations are used to
give practical support in Ocotal.
"Initially we were attempting to
direct cash to projects we felt were
beneficial. We would send money
for various groups but had no rep-
resentative there. This wasn't very
a 1, successful in terms of the impact
of our funding.
"About 8 years ago. we decided Bruce Clarke with the MayorofOcota/
J
to set up Fundacion SOL and pay Marciano Berrioss and Swindon'
a worker in Ocotal. From then on Mayor Mike Bawden marking the
we have deferred to their judge- twinning /ink at a Salsa party in July
ment, we raise the money and they
decide how to spend it." first Tuesday of every month at the
A number of key projects are run Civic Offices, Euclid Street,
in Ocotal. Bursaries are given to 7.30pm.
buy clothes and books for children For details about visiting Ocotal
so that they can go to school. Edu- or how to make a donation to SOL,
cation is free in Nicaragua but only mail: [email protected]
QOr yeYsav those with clothes, shoes and or call Bruce on 533338.
books can attend.
In addition. SOL supports a kin-
f ..$ service. dergarten, which also serves as a Racism to be addressed
oern ers!
y
sta vig ht! feeding station for the poorest chil- at annual meeting
with unriva1ed le & jinn
Pay taxi hast Years Eve dren, and an old people's home. Swindon Racial Equality
Christ mas Avoid h & Ne w
fa astic SOL's mission is the develop- Council holds it AGM
Enjo y ing untN part es, Lun ment and maintenance of lifelong on 4 October, 7.30pm
a 0pdanc Christmas s
Non St op r friendships between the people in at the Pilgrim Centre.
Bo ok 00 W t for bookings caill Swindon and Ocotal. Bruce said Guest speaker Dr Robert
^
Tel: 01793 721701 that they have found that the best Berkeley, Deputy Director of
way to get real interest is to take
Best Western Premier people to the town. the Runnymede Trust will talk
Blunsdon House Hotel A group from Swindon will be on `Racism blocking
travelling to Ocotal in 2007 to visit engagement with Black
generations of exceptional se rvlce projects and stay with local peo-
Minority Ethnic communities.'
\vNvw.blunsdonhouse.co.uk ple.
Members of SOL meet on the For details call 528545.