Find local news in Kent

Home   Medway   News   Article

Medway Culture Club to celebrate Black History Month with bus tour highlighting Towns’ diverse past

16:17, 24 August 2023

updated: 18:12, 24 August 2023

A bus tour celebrating successful black figures throughout Medway’s history will return in a few weeks’ time.

The day trip will run on October 7 to commemorate Black History Month 2023.

MCC will run a bus tour in celebration of Black History Month
MCC will run a bus tour in celebration of Black History Month

Following the success of last year’s family-friendly event, MCC will be bringing it back for a second time.

The three-hour tour will begin in Gillingham at 10.30am, looping back to its starting location.

MCC co-founder Camealia Xavier-Chihota said: “Children and grown-ups will board the MCC Tour Bus at Woodlands Youth Centre, before visiting Medway’s magnificent landmarks which pay tribute to some of the diverse histories within the Medway Towns.”

The journey will feature five stops, beginning with a visit to Palm Cottage in Gillingham to see a plaque commemorating Queen Victoria’s black goddaughter, Sara Forbes Bonetta.

Attendees will learn about Queen Victoria's goddaughter
Attendees will learn about Queen Victoria's goddaughter

The tour will then go on to Chatham Dockyard to learn about working-class rights campaigner William Cuffay and slavery abolitionist Olaudah Equian.

The next stop will be at Chatham Railway Station to see a plaque in honour of Camealia’s grandfather and social campaigner Asquith Xavier, who fought for racial equality in the workplace whilst employed there.

The final visit will be to Rochester Cathedral where you can hear about internationally-renowned composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor who toured America during a time of segregation.

The bus will then return to Woodlands Youth Centre at 1.30pm.

“There will be fun activities along the way and the chance to win prizes,” said Camealia.

Tickets are £8 and must be booked in advance.

The bus will stop at Chatham Dockyard
The bus will stop at Chatham Dockyard

“We request at least one parent or carer to accompany up to three children booked onto the tour, they will need to book a ticket too but adults will not be charged – it’s our treat,” said Camealia.

Anyone interested in the event can get their tickets here.

Space on the bus is limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More