Adult Learning Wales in Bangor is hosting a pilot run of
'Exploring the Shared History of Wales and Jamaica'
TIME CHANGE - on Mon 19th May we are trying a new time - slightly later so that School Staff and folks working til 5pm can join us:
This pilot course will be hybred: with inperson and on line - we are trying Teams this week with these options at 4.45pm - 6.00pm on Monday. In person at: Bryn Menai, Holyhead Rd, Bangor LL57 2JA
NB this is on Mondays at 11.00am in Jamaica
The Team link is
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3392870982959?p=WvmUb68c84c2ArSoWa
Please register your interest in joining the course here: Contact us
Last week's recording on Zoom is
Hope this works!
Bangor based, Learning Links International, and Adult Learning Wales have teamed up with a range of organisations in Jamaica and Wales to pilot a new initiative. This will explore the shared history of just under three hundred years of plantation ownership in Jamaica by the Welsh Pennant family, as well as exploring the history of the community of Pennants in Clarendon and the other plantation areas owned by the Pennant family.
The 6-session programme will run in May and June in person on Monday evenings from 5.00pm – 6.30pm (we are finishing at 6.00pm on Mon 19th May) at Adult Learning Wales, Bryn Menai, Hoyhead Road, Bangor, with Zoom access as well for those living further afield in Wales and those joining us from Jamaica and other parts of the world. The session will also be recorded for others registering as part of this innovative initiative to access. The course started on Monday 12 May but others are welcome to join.
The organisations involved in supporting the development of the programme include the North Wales Jamaica Society, the Bangor University Archives team, the Pennants Heritage Research Group and the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica / Jamaica Memory Bank.
Session 1 will introduce the partner organisations and individuals involved, with an outline of the Pennant family’s history of engagement with Jamaica in the context of British colonisation.
Session 2 will explore the slave trade and consider some of the logistics involved
Session 3 will recognise the amazing resource of Pennant family papers held in Bangor University and the ‘Fi Wi Laif / Our Stories’ project will be introduced
Session 4 will focus on the development of the Jamaica Wales Alliance and introduce the activities being undertaken currently to explore the shared history and to build bridges of friendship.
Session 5 will explore the story of Robert Rumble and the successful strike by the tenants of Pennants, which led to the Welsh Pennant Family to sell their remaining plantations.
Session 6 will provide opportunities to reflect on this shared history and consider how together we can progress and move forward to increase understanding of this shared history
NB This course is a pilot, the first of a range of opportunities to explore the shared history that Wales has with other parts of the world. It is also an introduction and update on this specific story, as Bangor and May Pen start their journey to 'build bridges of friendship'. Participation will give a basis of understanding which can be developed over time, as we work with our Jamaican colleagues to learn more.
The sessions will be presented using the non-formal learning opportunities that have been successfully used by the Learning Links International team over the past few years, and this approach currently underpin the Taith project which is giving opportunities for adult learners from Wales who were registered with the North Wales Jamaica Society before March 2024 to take part on exchange visits to Jamaica.
However, there are other opportunities to get involved and to support the projects being developed and managed by the Jamaica Wales Alliance, including the provision of equipment for Clarendon’s Fire Service.
Additional information and updates will be provided each week.
NB – this is not an academic course, the Learning Links International team are all volunteers including retired teachers, and we engage with other community researchers as well as academics, historians and those engaged in community reparations. There will be short presentations by invited guests, but we also recognise the extensive research and understanding in local communities and we are happy to involve others.
The Learning Links International team also started to run weekly Black History Conversations after George Floyd’s murder and we have recorded over 150 sessions with leading academics, activists and authors, which are now being re-presented on a more accessible website.
If you would like to find out more and join the class, please email Garrick Prayogg – garrickprayogg@gmail.com or Liz Millman –lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk