By Sam Wise. Photo by Charlie Hislop. On Saturday 28th September, a festival of black business, music and arts will be held between 11 am and 7pm in Guildhall Square. This is the second year for BBAM (Black Businesses, Art and Music) in Southampton. Last year, there were 5000...
Heritage
Review and reflections: What’s there for ordinary folk at Southampton International Boat Show?
By Sam Wise. Southampton is an odd city; on the sea, historically interwoven with it, and yet it has little impact on many of the ordinary people who live here. We are surrounded by boats; cruise ships, yachts, dinghies, and all manner of other vessels, but, in my experience...
‘Reclaiming the Narratives’ – Black History Month South official launch on Monday
Image: Lou Taylor at a previous BMHS launch. Black History Month South (BHMS) has announced the official launch of its 2024 celebrations with an event themed “Reclaiming Narratives,” set to take place on Monday, 23rd September 2024. The event will run from 11am to 2pm at St Mary’s Fire...
London-based artist Ian Giles Unveils new LGBTQIA+ commission ‘Everyone Involved’ in Southampton
Main image by James Asher. Southampton’s ‘a space’ arts presents Everyone Involved, a major new commission by acclaimed London-based artist Ian Giles, which launched on the 23rd of August at the historic God’s House Tower in Southampton. Ian Giles enlivens queer archives by collaborating with LGBTQIA+ pioneers to amplify...
Artists sought for Southampton Black History Month Mural
Black History Month South are looking for artists to design an image for a large scale printed mural which will be displayed on St Marys Fire station, Southampton. Artists are being sought to design a mural that celebrates the Windrush Generation. The present printed vinyl mural located on the...
Opinion: writing a new chapter of hope
By Manthan Pathak. First came the trauma. Then the fight. Now the hope. It’s been an emotional couple of weeks. I’ve watched in horror as extreme violence by the far right, targeted at immigrants and all people of colour, has disfigured our country. Perhaps it’s useful here to offer...
Heritage: Kier – what’s in a name?
By Martin Brisland. What’s in a name? Sir Keir Starmer (61) became Prime Minister last week, on Thursday 5 July 2024, after a landslide victory for the Labour Party in the General Election. His parents were Labour supporters and are said to have named him after Keir Hardie (1856...
Heritage: The story behind Jack’s Corner
By Martin Brisland. Jack Mantle was born in London on 12th April 1917. After his mother died when he was two years old his father remarried and moved to Southampton. The family lived at 2 Malvern Road off Winchester Road. He attended Taunton’s School and joined the Royal Navy...
Heritage: 350 years since the birth of Southampton born hymn writer, Isaac Watts
By Martin Brisland. If you pass the Civic Centre clock tower at 8am, midday, 4pm or 8pm you will hear the bells play the tune “St. Anne.” It was composed by the church organist William Croft and is used for Isaac Watts well known hymn, “Our God, Our Help...
Heritage: Some notable female Sotonians
By Martin Brisland. Elsie Sandell (1891–1974) was a writer of local history books and Echo articles. Her books are very readable for young people. Elsie was key in getting the D Day memorial tapestry made. It is usually to be found outside the City Archives in the Civic Centre....