Exhibition shows Bath's first West Indian generation

An exhibition celebrating the lives of Bath's first-generation West Indian community has started.

It features black and white photos taken in 1950s and 1960s, as well as two display cabinets full of vintage items of keepsakes found in Caribbean homes in Bath.

Curator Samantha Walker 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."

The photography exhibition runs at Bath Central Library until February 28.

Walker said: "The exhibition is called Invitation in reference to the fact that people were invited to come to England even before Windrush.

"My father Sylvester was one of many thousands who was recruited by the RAF from Jamaica, and other countries in the Caribbean, to serve.

"He came to England in 1944 and stayed in the RAF for five years; his story is one of many told in the exhibition."

She added: "Our elders have left a legacy to be proud of, forging and shaping both their lives and that of generations to come.

"The country owes them respect and gratitude."

Walker worked in collaboration with the Black and Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA), who are based at the historic Fairfield House.

Rod Dixon, whose parents both feature in the exhibition, said: "It is great to see our ancestors in this community portrayed in such a positive light and celebrated.

"It made me feel very proud and I hope people take the opportunity of seeing this important exhibition."

Mr Dixon's parents, Bill and Beryl Dixon MBE (née Wright) came to England from Jamaica, marrying in the city in 1961.

Pauline Swaby-Wallce, manager of BEMSCA, came to Bath in October 1969, aged 10.

She said: "You can be seen and not known but I think the legacy is what we all had to do and what we leave behind and the importance of that.

"People went through difficult times and lots of people have shared that but to come through it and to come through it stronger.

"We have to be resilient to that, we have to show our young people in the community that we are part of this community."

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