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Legacy Makers Film- A Compelling Journey Through Time, Heritage, and Empowerment

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Legacy Makers, a documentary chronicling the inspiring journey of the Legacy Makers, local individuals turned researchers, many from the Black communities of Nottingham, offers audiences an insight into their journey and findings. The film, skilfully woven with selected clips, photos, and footage, collected throughout the project, takes viewers on a captivating exploration, unravelling historical ties between the British cotton industry and the transatlantic slave trade.

In collaboration with Bright Ideas Nottingham and the Global Cotton Connections project since 2014, Legacy Makers emerged as a testament to the collective desire to amplify the noteworthy journey of elders turned researchers. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the group persevered, showcasing their dedication in this documentary.

Going beyond a mere display of tangible research outcomes, Legacy Makers delves into the pain and resilience inherent in the history of those who were enslaved. It becomes a powerful platform for empowerment and healing, allowing individuals to reclaim and share their history. The film offers a unique lens through which viewers witness the contrast between the lives of female workers in the mills and the enslaved female workers picking cotton in the fields, providing a view of the impact of the cotton industry.

The National Heritage Fund-funded Heritage project plays a crucial role in acknowledging the contributions made by those enslaved, particularly recognising the wealth derived from the labour of the enslaved. This acknowledgment stands as a pivotal outcome of the project, shedding light on often overlooked aspects of history. The Legacy Makers, driven by a passion for honouring the contributions of those who toiled, have left a mark on historical places in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire associated with the cotton industry. New interpretation boards serve as educational tools, connecting the past with the present.

What sets Legacy Makers apart is its infusion of creativity, utilising music, drumming, poetry, spoken word, and visual arts throughout the project. This creative approach not only enriched the documentary but also inspired local artists, adding an extra layer to the exploration of heritage and history.

As viewers engage with the documentary, they will witness the growth of the Legacy Makers in their understanding, emphasising the transformative journey. The film provides an opportunity for audiences to reflect on the ongoing, creative, and transformative process that is the Legacy Makers’ journey.

Legacy Makers stands as a commitment—an integral part of a narrative that transcends time. It goes beyond history and into the realm of empowerment and transformation. For those seeking a film that not only educates but also inspires, the captivating journey of Legacy Makers promises a unique and enriching experience. This documentary is a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering understanding, healing, and empowerment and the power of volunteering. The Legacy Makers exemplify the impact of collective volunteer efforts in creating a legacy of acknowledgment and education.

“Capturing Voices for ‘Standing In This Place’ Exhibition: A Prelude to the ‘Standing in This Place’ Statue”

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Legacy Maker Louise Garvey Preparing for her Audio Recording

Today marked a momentous step in the journey of “Standing In This Place,” an exhibition poised to launch at ArtCore, Derby, on the 26th of January 2024. Within the meeting rooms of the new Nottingham Library, we gathered the voices, feelings, and connections of the Legacy Makers—a diverse group contributing to this impactful project.

Central to “Standing In This Place” is the upcoming creation, ‘Standing In This Place,’ statue by sculptor Rachel Carter and the Legacy Makers family. Although the statue itself is yet to be crafted, the essence of its significance resonated throughout the exhibition.

Working Model of the Statue

The audio recordings captured unveiled a tapestry of individual stories and connections, weaving a rich narrative within the intimate setting of the Nottingham Library. From names inscribed in family bibles to the ambient sounds of Arkwright Street, the stories unfolded, providing a glimpse into the intricate web of history.

Local creative Lisa Jackson from Mon0lisa Productions played a crucial role in capturing these unique narratives. Working in collaboration with Lisa Robinson from Bright Ideas Nottingham, who conducted pre-interviews and transcripts, both creatives brought their cultural understanding and shared perspectives, making them integral members of the Legacy Makers family.

The Legacy Makers illuminated the space with tales ranging from the melodic interludes of Gunga pea trees to the aroma of sweet potatoes roasting on an open fire—a culinary tradition left as a legacy by once-enslaved ancestors, invoking a profound sense of heritage.

One poignant tale transported us to Green Ville in Jamaica, known as ‘over the river,’ a sacred ground holding the history of enslaved ancestors. August in Green Ville marks the commemoration of emancipation—a time to reflect on the past and honour the resilience of those who came before.

While the ‘Standing in This Place’ statue itself won’t be displayed at the exhibition due to its ongoing creation, the stories and connections shared today offer a compelling prelude. The exhibition promises to be a tapestry of these unique narratives, encapsulated in a set of six postcards.

Rachel Carter, the sculptor, was on hand to add the finishing touches to the postcards, working collaboratively with the Legacy Makers participants to ensure their authenticity.

Rachel Carter showing Legacy Maker Bettina Barnes the location of the new ‘Green Heart’ garden

Rachel also outlined the location of the Green Heart Garden, providing insight into where the eventual placement of the ‘Standing In This Place’ statue will be—an exciting revelation that adds another layer of anticipation to the exhibition.

As we eagerly anticipate the exhibition’s launch on the 26th of January, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, art, and community. It invites us to engage with history in a personal and transformative way, transcending time and space. To delve deeper into the narrative and plan your visit, explore more about the exhibition and ‘Standing in This Place’ programme, please visit the dedicated website, ‘Standing In This Place‘.

“Standing In This Place” beckons, inviting all to stand in this place and listen to the echoes of the past, paving the way for the eventual unveiling of the ‘Standing in This Place’ statue.

“Legacy Makers Monthly Meeting: Charting Progress and Community Excitement”

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Introduction:

In the heart of Nottingham, a city steeped in history and resilience, the Legacy Makers convene at the National Justice Museum for their monthly meeting. This gathering serves as a symbolic moment in their journey to immortalise the powerful initiative, ‘Standing In This Place.’ As November 2023 unfolds, the atmosphere becomes a celebratory hub, fuelled by the unwavering dedication of a core group of champions.

Progress on Statue Funding:

The heartbeat of the meeting is the thorough review of the generous donations flowing in to fund the ‘Standing In This Place’ statue. Rachel and the dynamic Legacy Makers team, have propelled the fundraising campaign toward its targeted goal. The collective commitment has successfully translated lofty aspirations into tangible reality, with the financial finish line now in clear view.

Creative Outputs and Volunteerism:

Amidst the joyous atmosphere, participants express satisfaction with the creative outputs achieved thus far. A staggering 520 volunteering hours have been meticulously logged since the inception of ‘Standing In This Place,’ a true testament to the community’s unwavering enthusiasm and engagement. Rachel underscores the success of the dedicated website launched in August 2023, boasting 2.1 thousand visitors already—a testament to the project’s resonance and the power of a well-executed online presence.

Choices for Donors:

Donors to the statue are promised a personalised touch as a token of gratitude. Contributors can choose to be recognised as bronze, silver, or gold donors, each corresponding to a unique statue cast in different materials and colours. Notably, the Legacy Makers were recently invited to explore various materials and colours for miniature statues. This exploration not only enhances the personalisation for donors but also opens the exciting possibility of future sales of these replicas to the public.

Upcoming Events and Exhibitions:

Anticipation permeates the room as the group prepares for the ‘Standing In This Place’ exhibition at the ArtCore Centre in Derby at the end of January 2024. Discussions centre around meticulous preparation for this significant showcase, where the Legacy Makers’ innovative spirit shines.

As preparations intensify, attention shifts to the creation of talking postcards and artwork that will bring the narrative of ‘Standing In This Place’ to life. The meeting crescendos with the group collectively watching a clip featuring Bettina Wallace and Rachel on Notts TV. This moment underscores the initiative’s growing popularity and foreshadows the positive impact the forthcoming exhibition is poised to make.

Conclusion:

The Legacy Makers’ monthly meeting weaves a vibrant tapestry of community spirit, progress, and anticipation. With the targeted funding goal almost within reach, the dedication of Rachel Carter, Lisa Robinson, and the entire Legacy Makers community is transforming a vision into tangible reality. As ‘Standing In This Place’ continues its momentum, the impact of these ceaseless, popular workshops and events is set to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of Nottingham. The Legacy Makers are not just crafting a statue; they are sculpting a legacy for generations to come.

Donate now, connect with Legacy Makers on social media, and learn more about ‘Standing In This Place.’ For additional information on exhibitions, events, and workshops, visit the website ‘Standing In This Place’ to connect.

Unveiling Hidden Narratives: “Blood Sugar” Panel Discussion & Exhibition Exploration

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The sunlit corridors of the Paul Mellon Centre played host to a pivotal day for The Legacy Makers, as our community gathered with purpose and enthusiasm, guided by the gentle nudges of our ancestors. The occasion marked the “Blood Sugar” Community Screening & Panel Discussion—an event that celebrated our transformative work amidst the captivating backdrop of the Drawing Room Display.

A Heartfelt Testament: Unveiling Our Story
Set against the enchanting setting of the Drawing Room Display at 16 Bedford Square, titled “A Harpy and His Brothers: The Wildman’s in Bedford Square and Newstead Abbey,” our film was present as part of the continuous play. This invitation became a heartfelt testament to the significance of our collective effort, emphasising the transformative power of creative filmmaking and community-driven co-production in reshaping our interactions with British heritage sites.  

Lisa Robinson of Bright Ideas, Nottingham, introduced the Legacy Makers, highlighting our role as living proof of the impactful outcomes that grassroots initiatives can achieve in unearthing hidden histories. As our ‘Blood Sugar’ film unfolded on the screen, a profound connection emerged—not just to the history of Newstead Abbey but to each other as a community, bound by a shared purpose.  

Becoming Architects of Our Legacy
As the sun set on that September day 2023, casting a warm glow on us, the Legacy Makers, we became architects of a new chapter in the legacy of our community and British heritage. Our dedication and commitment not only earned us a place in the continuous play but solidified our standing as contributors to a broader narrative we all share.  

One Stop Driver, One Family
The Legacy Makers are more than collaborators; we are a tight-knit family. On our journey home, the echoes of “One Stop Driver” symbolised more than transportation—it embodied the collective spirit that binds us together. As we dispersed, our hearts full and our shared legacy celebrated, these calls served as a reminder that our journey continues. The echoes of our shared stories will resonate for generations to come.  

In the Warm Embrace of Collective Efforts
In the warm embrace of our collective efforts, we move forward, eager for the next chapter of our shared legacy. The stories we uncover together will leave a lasting imprint on the tapestry of our community and beyond. The Legacy Makers stand as a beacon, proving that when a community comes together, hidden narratives can be unveiled, and a richer, more inclusive history can be written—one frame at a time.        

John Bolton

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John Bolton’s name appears in early documents relating to the supply of raw cotton to the Darley Abbey Mill. He is selling to brokers like Nicholas Waterhouse, who in turn, fulfill the orders to the mill.

You can find out more about John Bolton on the University College London’s Legacies of British Slave-Ownership site.

John Bolton was a Liverpool Merchant, who was actively involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and who also acquired a number of estates worked by enslaved people. Some of these estates grew cotton. There is no direct trace (yet) between the cotton grown on these estates and the Darley Abbey Mill. At present, it is unclear which specific cotton estates, Bolton sourced his raw cotton from that he supplied his British customers with, including the Evans family.

John Bolton

The mill workers of Darley Abbey biographies project

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In the churchyard of St. Matthew’s in Darley Abbey, there are dozens of surviving grave markers which commemorate the lives of the mill workers and their families. Many more are grassed over and are no longer visible.

During the first lockdown of 2020, a genealogical research project was launched that enabled volunteers to research the mill workers who were named on the gravemarkers in the churchyard at Darley Abbey. By examining available primary source including census data, the researchers attempted to piece together the life and experience of named individuals who are known to have worked at the mills. We were keen to find out where they came from before they worked at the mill and what happened to them and their family. Could we trace their living descendants?

1600 individuals were identified in this project, and many need further research. If you know more about them, or had ancestors that worked at the mills in Darley Abbey, please let us know.

The PDF of the mill worker biographies is hosted on the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site website:

Explore the biographies of mill workers

Legacy Makers Celebration Event

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Saturday 9th April

The Legacy Makers family met at St Matthew’s Church in Darley Abbey for our celebration event. We began our celebration with a drum call before beginning with a Spoken Word Workshop led by Cara Thompson.

We began our Spoken Word Workshop with word call to get our creativity flowing, we went around the group and each member of the family had to say a word. The word call nicely lead us on to writing our own poetry, we each spent time writing pieces of poetry reflecting the journey we have experienced as Legacy Makers. Cara then took sentences from each poem the family created to form a Legacy Makers poem which Cara shared later at our concert.

After our Spoken Word Workshop we listened to a presentation given by Dr Helen Bates and Lisa Robinson: Legacy Makers 2019 to Present. The presentation took us through our journey the past three years together reflecting on our achievements and the research that has been inspired by our project. We also got to look at the Darley Abbey interpretation board which is currently awaiting to be approval. The interpretation board explores the Global Cotton Connections and the Uncomfortable Truth about our ancestors connections to Darley Abbey Mill.

We then enjoyed a lunch together kindly made by Debbie Martin. Following on from our lunch break Rachel Carter gave us an update on the Chelsea Flower Show application. Rachel discussed the application process and was able to tell us the great news that the application had been accepted. We were presented with the proposed design for the garden and Rachel discussed ways in which we can contribute to the making of the garden. Two bronze statues of women will be erected and women from the Legacy Makers family have the opportunity to model for the bronze sculptures. Members of the family an also contribute by creating braids with kits provided by Rachel which will be woven around the bronze statues in the garden. We also began to discuss our plans for a Legacy Makers bench to be placed along Nottingham Canal and Nottingham Poetry Festival.

Peter Dunkerley presented us with the draft leaflet being created for Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Peter has asked the Legacy Makers family if we can help Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site with the wording of the leaflet to ensure it reflects the contributions and connections of the heritage site to our ancestors.

Karen Willis from the University of Keele presented to us research on the Evans and Abolition. We developed our knowledge on the Evans family’s links to the transatlantic slave trade whilst exploring research surrounding Abolition.

Veronica Barnes presented us the Legacy Makers textile she has been creating. Veronica described how she has stepped out of her comfort zone to get creative with textiles featuring illustrations of people through thread and fabric.

The Legacy Makers Family then took a walk to the river together where we enjoyed drumming together and looking out onto Darley Abbey Mill.

Following on from our walk some of the Legacy Makers Family took part in a choir rehearsal with Freddie Kofi and some enjoyed continuing with the drumming in a drumming workshop. The Community Gospel choir rehearsed their Legacy Makers song with Freddie Kofi, working through the song to learn the melody and make any changes to their song.

We finished our Legacy Makers celebration with a concert featuring performances of both song and poetry.

Legacy Makers Concert Programme

  • Drumming
  • Legacy Makers Poetry Reading by Cara Thompson
  • Legacy Makers choir performance
  • Open Mic poetry
  • Still I Rise with Veronica Barnes
  • Sing by Freddie Kofi

Creative Workshop with Ubuntu and Nadim Chaudry

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Saturday 26th March

Ubuntu researchers have been working with Nottingham Contemporary to improve how art spaces can connect with different people across the city of Nottingham. Ubuntu invited the Legacy Makers family to take part in a creative workshop with artist Nadim Chaudry and facilitated by Natelle Morgan-Brown, Communities Programmer at Nottingham Contemporary.

During the workshop we experimented with textiles and sculpture. The workshop began with a plaiting exercise where everyone was split into groups of three and instructed to pick out three coloured strips of fabric. Our pieces of fabric were tied together and attached to the wall. We then worked as a team to plait our pieces of fabric together, moving in a sequence to produce our final pieces of fabric.

During the next part of the workshop we moved onto a folding exercise where we created casts for new pieces of fabric. The casts we created were made using the Japanese technique of Shibori folding. The group were able to take home their Shibori folding to bake in the oven as instructed by Nadim.

The final activity of the workshop was Freeform Sculpting. The group used polystyrene shapes and pieces of fabric kindly provided by Nadim to sculpt our own sculptures with. We finished our session with reflection and discussion lead by Natelle on what we had learnt and created together.

Legacy Makers Song and Chelsea Flower Show Application

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On August 20th the Legacy Makers family met at the National Justice Museum to discuss some exciting new plans for the project.

We met with Rachel Carter to discuss plans for submitting an application for Chelsea Flower Show. Rachel Carter is a sculptor who creates large scale pieces for gardens making bronze sculptures. At the beginning of the session Rachel introduced us to her latest sculpture of the Pilgrim Woman. We then discussed the application process for the Chelsea Flowers Show and ways we would like to get involved in the processes of creating a Legacy Makers garden at the show including ideas for a sculpture.

Please follow the link bellow to find more information about Rachel Carter:

Rachel Carter Website

Following our session with Rachel we took part in a workshop with Freddie Kofi to create a Legacy Makers gospel song. After the Legacy Makers family participated in the DreamWeavers Gospel Choir workshops at pilgrim church we decided we wanted to continue as a group. Our next project as a Gospel Choir is to make our own song, creating a musical legacy as part of the project.

Freddie presented us with the music track he’d been working on for our song and the melodies to go with it. Once we familiarised ourselves with the material we begun brainstorming together lyrics that will fit the sections of the songs Freddie had crafted for us. At the end of the session we all sang the lyrics we’d come up with for the first part of the song accompanied by the track and Freddie’s guitar.

Photos by: Amanda Sinclair

Nottingham Castle Private Tour

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18th June 2021

Members of the Legacy Makers family were given a private tour around the new Nottingham Castle exhibitions by Josh Osoro Pickering on Friday. We got the chance to explore the new Robin Hood exhibition and the Don’t Blame the Blacks exhibition. Members of our Legacy Makers family Bettina Wallace and Roydon Allen were featured in the Don’t Blame the Blacks exhibition curated by Panya Banjoko which explores Oswald George Powe’s fight to improve conditions for the black community of Nottingham and black employees experiences working for Raleigh Industries. At the end of the tour we discussed with Josh the improvements that had been made to the exhibitions to make them more inclusive and possible ideas for the future.

Photos by: Tom Morley