As part of Black History Month (BHM) and Knowsley’s 50th anniversary celebrations a new short film commemorating the history of Black families in the borough is now being showcased on the council’s YouTube channel.
The film, entitled ‘Here for Good’, tells the moving stories of four Black families. The interviews are based on this year’s theme for Black History Month ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ with all the participants talking candidly about their lives and identities and how they are inextricably linked to growing up and living in Knowsley.
The heart-warming stories are brought to life with contributors sharing family photos, anecdotes, documents and their fond memories.
Anthony Sullivan talks with great affection of how he was raised by his Irish grandmother in Page Moss – and of the opportunities brought about by his love and talent for football. He remembers an early childhood football team trip to Europe, an experience which was ‘unheard of’ and only made possible thanks to the funds raised by the local community, just one of the reasons, why for him ‘it was the best place to live’.
He explains:
“I’m proud of my heritage, my roots. I’m also proud of being a Sullivan. If people say ‘where are you from?’ I say ‘I’m from the Moss.’ I’ve never felt anything other than warmth, love and belonging.”
The Cole siblings, whose family moved to Kirkby as the town was being built, recount fond memories of parties in their living room, with their Dad’s band playing into the early hours.
Theirs is a rich heritage with their grandfather from Sierre Leon on one side of the family who married their Irish grandmother, while their maternal grandmother is from French and Brazilian descent. For the siblings, they say there’s nowhere like Kirkby. Christine sums it up when she says:
“I love Kirkby, I love Kirkby people. It’s my community”.
Vanessa Boateng, originally from Ghana, moved to Knowsley in 2013. In the film she talks about how proud she is of combining the two cultures in her life:
“I cherish my heritage; from Achim, my father’s village, and Knowsley… I always say that we’re West African-British.”
Keith Gabbidon-Thompson first met his Nigerian father at the age of 16, following the death of his mother. At around the same time he moved from Halewood to Toxteth, which Keith says was considered a Black area. However, Halewood kept pulling him back.
“Then that fixed my identity crisis. It wasn’t about black or white it was about being where I belonged – and that was Halewood.”
Reclaiming Narratives
‘Here for Good’ has been created and led by the Knowsley Council Black and Minority Workers’ Group whose aim is to influence cultural change, promote respect and value of cultural diversity within Knowsley.
The film supports the theme for Black History Month 2024 ‘Reclaiming Narratives’; recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture, sharing untold stories and recognising the often-overlooked contributions and achievements of Black individuals, both in the UK and across the globe.
Here for Good highlights not only the impressive achievements of the individual participants but also their over-riding sense of pride in what they describe as happy times being brought up and living in the borough.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said;
“I want to offer my personal thanks to all those who contributed to the film and so openly shared their stories and memories of growing up in Knowsley. It is so important to understand and recognise the different backgrounds and experiences of our neighbours, friends and colleagues – and this film really helps to do just that. It is a really powerful watch and quite emotional too. What a fantastically thoughtful way to mark Black History Month this year.”
Do you have a story to share?
As part of month Knowsley Archives is inviting residents from the borough’s diverse communities to share any documents or photos which they’d be willing to donate, or loan, for the benefit of future generations.
The archive would also welcome anyone who would like to have their own memories and experiences recorded to add to Knowsley’s oral history collection.
If you have a story or documentation to share with Knowsley Archives, please email infoheritage@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4291/ 4365 and the friendly staff will be happy to help.