 |
Press Releases
Pupils recreate headlines to mark anniversary of Abolition of Slavery
|
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Merseyside has teamed up with a Liverpool school to produce a series
of special news bulletins to mark the 200th anniversary of the Act of
Abolition of the Slave Trade.
Μύ
Pupils from St Hilda's Church of England High School, Sefton Park, will be
recreating the headlines, issues, characters and debates from the time of the
Liverpool Abolitionist movement for bulletins broadcast online and during
Radio Merseyside's breakfast show from 6 to 8.30am.
Μύ
The pupils will be "interviewing" John Newton, the slave ship captain and
anti-slaver vicar who wrote Amazing Grace; James Penny (of which Penny Lane
was named), a vociferous campaigner in favour of slave trade; and William
Roscoe, famous abolitionist and Liverpool MP.
Μύ
They will be gearing up for their news reports with training and workshops
given by Radio Merseyside presenters and news teams culminating in the five
unique bulletins to be broadcast the week beginning Monday 19 March.
Μύ
The project ties in with a season of programmes across Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television, radio
and online which set out to tell the stories of
the forgotten heroes who helped drive the spirit and action of the abolition
movement.
Μύ
In addition to the special news bulletins, Radio Merseyside will be
looking at the central role Liverpool played in the transatlantic slave trade
with much of the city's 18th century wealth built on the profits from the
transportation of slaves.
Μύ
Presenter Tony Snell will be walking some of the slave routes through the city
taking in places like the Town Hall and the areas of docks where slave ships
were repaired.
Μύ
He will also be debunking some of the myths around slavery and
the city with fellow presenter Frank Carlyle.
Μύ
Roger Phillips promises a lively phone-in show followed by a Phillips Extra on
Monday 19 March (6-7pm) looking at the history, legacy and modern forms of
slavery.
Μύ
There will be interviews with special guests. And local artist Tayo
Aluko will be performing music and poetry for a specially invited audience.
Μύ
Upfront, Merseyside's black magazine programme with Mandy Smith and James
Klass, will also focus on the anniversary on Saturday 24 March from 8pm.
Μύ
There will also be a special broadcast of a service taking place at Liverpool
Anglican Cathedral.
Μύ
The ecumenical Service of Penitence, at 11.30am on
Saturday 24 March, will remember the role that Liverpool played in the slave
trade.
Μύ
It will be broadcast by Radio Merseyside at 8.30am on Sunday 25
March.
Μύ
The service will include the presentation of a Reconciliation Triangle and the
dedication of a sculpture - Not For Sale - by Stephen Broadbent.
Μύ
The hymn Amazing Grace will also feature. Its composer John Newton worked on
several Liverpool slave ships and as a tide surveyor in the city before
becoming an Anglican minister.
Μύ
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Big Screen in Clayton Square, Liverpool will host a
collaboration of works by Rachel Wilberforce, the thrice-great grand daughter
of William Wilberforce - the leader of the abolition of slavery in the UK
parliament - and photographer Pete Pattison.
Μύ
Rachel is producing an art
installation while Peter is producing photo films about slavery.
Μύ
The work will
tour across the network of Big Screen sites, including Liverpool.
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4's Sunday programme and Sunday Worship will also both come from
Liverpool looking at the religious aspects of abolition.
Μύ
Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips said: "The story of slavery and
its subsequent abolition is one of the most interesting, complex, disturbing
yet inspirational stories we never tell about Britain.
Μύ
"As Liverpool was key to
the slave trade it is important that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Merseyside reflects and reports
on what took place, the issues and the legacy that slavery left behind."
Μύ
Ken Edwards, Enterprise Development Officer at St Hilda's, says the girls
are gaining a great deal from the project.
Μύ
"We're always looking for
opportunities for the students and this is a classic example of reaching out,
working with a local organisation like the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and helping the students to
learn by allowing them to take risks," he says.
Μύ
"It wasn't natural for some of them to
record their voices during the workshops, especially the quiet ones, but they
all did it.
Μύ
"And they'll be able to use these skills when they create
multimedia content for the school's own website."
Μύ
Ken added: "The girls found the workshops a fun way to learn and it really
helped them to remember about history because they were learning it in a
different way.
Μύ
"They also loved finding out how a radio station works and using
the microphones to record vox pops."
Μύ
For information about what is happening in Liverpool and the Abolition season
visit the Where We Live website, bbc.co.uk/liverpool/abolition, or
bbc.co.uk/abolition. Μύ
JC
Μύ
|
Printable version