BBC Radio 4 commissions a two-part documentary series on the hidden history of Caribbean Indian communities living in the UK and the impact that sugar and its production had on their lives.

Hi,

It’s been a while since I last posted a blog and with the benefit of hindsight I should probably not have stayed away so long but there has been so much work to do.

I can finally announce that we’ve been commissioned by Radio 4 to make two documentaries on the story of the UK’s descendents of indentured labourers from the Caribbean. Work begins this week and will reveal two waves of migration. The first, from India to Guyana between 1838 and 1917 and the second from Guyana to 1960’s London and other parts in the UK. 

For the first time, elders in the community will be able to share their journey of migration and settlement from Guyana to the UK and reflect on the long and dangerous crossings by sea made by their grand-parents and great-grandparents to the Caribbean. 

It’s a real pleasure to be working with Mukti Jain Campion, founder of Culture Wise on the programmes and I’ll keep you up to date of how they’re shaping up. If you want to share your story on the Project 1838 page then email a photograph of you or your family and a short story of no more than 200 words and we’ll work with you to get it posted up in the gallery. If you’re not sure what works then why not take a look at some of the great stories already there.

That’s it for now, 

Lainy 

Your stories

We’re getting a fascinating array of your stories and amazing photographs. Take some time to read about Pearline who came to London from Jamaica in the 1950’s. Her story is just one of many that will feature in the Project 1838 exhibition later this year. Her daughter very kindly sent us some pictures of her Indian grandmother and great-grandmother as well so we thank her for that. Your stories continue to mirror many of the issues we find in our lives today. Take Jaja, she came from Prague in the ‘60’s. Her story is a wonderful reminder of what we can do in these times of austerity to get the best out of life. She spent just £50 on her wedding and even made her own dress!

Coming up soon is Victor’s story. Italian by birth he’s a charming reminder of the changes we can make to our lives despite a tough up bringing! His story is coming up later so keep an eye out for that.

More updates to come... 

It’s our birthday

It’s just over two months since we set up the Social History Hub and there has been a lot of activity behind the scenes. We had an amazing meeting at the Museum of London. They are keeping a close eye on what we’re doing.  Our plans to hold an exhibition later this year about  the lives of Caribbean Indian and Chinese communities who live in London is getting a lot of attention and we hope that in the future they may be inspired by our exhibition to put on one of their own. Watch this space!

We want to hear from you...

This week we’ve been busy spreading the word that the Social History Hub website is open for business. We’ve had some great feedback and to start you off, here are a couple of stories from people close to home.

Now we need your help. If you have an interesting story about an eccentric aunt, or when your grandma came to London, or if you are the grandma, we would like you to get in touch and share your stories and photographs with us.

If you think your photographs would be suitable to be featured in the upcoming Project 1838 exhibition then also get in touch. We will be building an archive of stories and photographs for you and future generations to learn from and appreciate, just like we did when they were told to us first hand. If you have stories or photos you’d like to share with us to help bring generations together, contact info@socialhistoryhub.com.

Welcome to the Social history Hub

So, the Social History Hub is up and running. We’re passionate about bringing generations together through history and remembering the amazing things our families, friends and communities have done. Our aim is to bring generations together through history by talking to each other and sharing the small events in our lives that lead to great things. Regardless of age we can give you help and advice on how to record those stories, through sound, film and photographs.

Our first exhibition, Project 1838, brings young people with Chinese and Indian Caribbean heritage together with their elders to find out more about their Caribbean roots. It’s a photographic journey from London to the Caribbean and back and the images and stories will become a lasting historical legacy for future generations.

If you want to share your stories or be part of Project 1838, then get in touch, info@socialhistoryhub.com