Bath's West Indian Pioneers: A Vibrant Journey Through Time

An exhibition has opened at Bath Central Library to celebrate the first generation of West Indian people who settled in Bath. The exhibition features black and white photographs from the 1950s and 1960s, showing the lives of Caribbean families who made Bath their home. Alongside the photos, there are two display cabinets filled with vintage keepsakes that were commonly found in Caribbean homes in Bath. These items help visitors understand what life was like for the people who moved from the Caribbean to England many years ago.

Samantha Walker, the curator of the exhibition, explained that the event is called 'Invitation' because people from the Caribbean were invited to come to England, even before the arrival of the Windrush ship. She said, 'The environment is increasingly hostile when it comes to immigration so it is wonderful to be able to show why people left their homes to come to England, highlight their experiences and showcase the positive impact they had on Bath in such a celebratory way. ' Samantha's father, Sylvester, was one of many who came from Jamaica to join the Royal Air Force in 1944. His story, along with many others, is told in the exhibition.

The exhibition was created with help from the Black and Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association, which is based at Fairfield House. Rod Dixon, whose parents are featured in the exhibition, said it made him feel very proud to see his family's story shared in such a positive way. He hopes that many people will visit and learn about the important contributions of the West Indian community in Bath. Pauline Swaby-Wallace, who moved to Bath from Jamaica when she was ten, said that the legacy of the first generation is important. She believes that sharing these stories helps young people in the community understand their history and feel proud of their roots. The exhibition is open to everyone and aims to bring people together to celebrate the achievements and resilience of Bath's West Indian community.