When Austin Westcarr arrived in the county there were very few Jamaicans living in Gloucester at the time and even fewer with their own homes. He was able to purchase his home, and soon became a key figure in the community. 
Most Sundays during the 60s and 70s, you would find a crowd of people at his home in All Saints Road, maybe just talking about 'back-a-yard' or their experiences here in England, or just seeking advice and help to complete documents like the dreaded income tax forms. | | Bernard Westcarr |
His son, Bernard, remembers: "Most Sundays during the 60s and 70s you would find a crowd of people at his home in All Saints Road, maybe just talking about 'back-a-yard' or their experiences here in England, or just seeking advice and help to complete documents like the dreaded income tax forms." Partner Austin also ran a 'partner' (pronounced pardner) the mechanics of which are simple: 20 people 'throw' a hand of, say, £5 every week. A list of names is kept by the banker, and each week one person gets a 'draw' (ie £100). After 20 weeks, the process starts all over again. This system of saving, a means by which a large amount of money could be accumulated over a short period of time, helped numerous people to send money to family and friends in Jamaica. This in turn enabled others to make the journey to England and maintained those who stayed. It was also the method by which many Jamaicans were able to acquire the deposit to purchase their own homes. Austin's desire, like many others, was to return 'home' to Jamaica on his retirement. Sadly this was not to be. After a long illness he died in 1984. More than 1,200 people attended his funeral. There are, however, many stories of the kindness showed by white citizens of Gloucester, like Eric Saxon and his wife, who housed Mally Hutchinson and many others. Another such individual was Fred Bennett, of Bennetts Coaches, who lived in Tuffley Avenue. He not only provided accommodation for a young Jamaican man, Eric Shaw and his family, but also allowed the use of his home for the wedding reception of Mr and Mrs Hutchinson. Eric Shaw Eric Shaw arrived in Gloucester in 1952, and lodged at the Hostel in Brockworth. His wife, Rose, and young daughter, Gloria, were to join him in 1954, and he needed accommodation for the family. It was difficult to apply for places giving your address as the hostel. He experienced much rejection, doors were slammed in his face, and where there were signs saying 'Rooms For Rent', he was told they had been taken.  | | Winston Shaw was 16 when he arrived in Gloucester |
Mally invited him to stay in his accommodation, sharing his room, which enabled him to apply to an advert in The Citizen from a Gloucester address. He was successful. Erics son, Winston, recalls the Bennetts as a wonderful family, and says: You could never imagine such a cordial relationship that existed between a black family and that white family. On arrival, Erics daughter, Gloria was aged fourteen years and was almost definitely the youngest immigrant to Gloucester. Her brother, Winston, who arrived in 1954, was aged 16. Sending for the children In most cases, the earliest immigrants who already had children had left them in the Caribbean with grandparents or other family members. They had not intended to stay for long but when their parents had settled and it was clear they would not be returning, the children were sent for.
When I came here in the early years, even then I was doing community work. I used to sit on a Saturday afternoon and practically all day Sunday and write letters for the less fortunate. I would write letters home and I would send the money home for their wives. They would receive the letters in return, I would open those letters, convey the contents, reply again. | | Bernard Westcarr |
As an educated young man, before joining the Air Force, Winston became involved in efforts to help members of his community. He takes up the story: "When I came here in the early years, even then I was doing community work. I used to sit on a Saturday afternoon and practically all day Sunday and write letters for the less fortunate. "I would write letters home and I would send the money home for their wives. They would receive the letters in return, I would open those letters, convey the contents, reply again. "Those who wanted to have their wives join them, I would send the money home to the Chins Travel Service or to Martins Travel. I would make the arrangements for their wives to come. When it was time for the children to come, I would make the arrangements." First community relations officer
In 1967, Winston Shaw became Gloucestershires first community relations officer. Chosen from 26 applicants, Winston states the post "was a challenge". Set up under the Race Relations Act, his role was wide-ranging. First and foremost, he was a liaison officer, working with various organisations and all departments of Gloucester City Council, and in Cheltenham, to improve conditions for the 'immigrant' (by now also including a large Asian population) in employment, education and socially. »See 'Bernard Westcarr's story' | 
