Posts Tagged ‘Preston Black History Group’
Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary, 22nd – 25th June 2023
Interviews with PBHG partners and local people, and including the speeches at the 80th anniversary festival.
Audio interviews by Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group. All copyright Preston Black History Group
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of all of the anniversary weekend events
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group Interviewed Eunice Byers, aged 106, the last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge. The interview was filmed and edited with thanks to UCLAN Film and Media Lecturers.
Speeches at the beginning of the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th anniversary festival at Ye Olde Hob Inn, Church Rd, Bamber Bridge. 24th June 2023. These speeches give a great deal of information and context to the anniversary celebrations
Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council, Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research, MIDEX (Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile), Prof StJohn Crean, UCLAN Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group), Aaron Snipe, US Embassy Spokesperson
Interviews with the partners for all the events. Many months, even years, of planning, meetings, research, and background work went into making all the events happen.
Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council
Aaron Snipe, US Embassy Spokesperson
Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research)
Jemma Rodgers, Producer of ‘The Railway Children Return’ Film
Danny Lyons, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), Film maker, Sculptor, and local historian
Prof Gregory S Cooke, Film maker and educator.
Rev Karen Le Mouton, Minister at Bamber Bridge
Visitors from afar and local people share their thoughts and impressions of the anniversary events with Bernie.
Sarah Locke, Landlady of Ye Old Hob Inn, Bamber
Eunice Evans, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), niece of Eunice Byers (aged 106, last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge)
Ros Martin, British playwright, poet, performance artist, curator and activist, based in Bristol
Denise Johnson, Lay Preacher, Bamber Bridge Methodists
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of all of the anniversary weekend events
Reflection on the Battlefield Tour by Professor Alan Rice for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Bamber Bridge
History walk along the sites of the battle up the main street in Bamber Bridge. Sat 24th June and Sun 25th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the 80th anniversary weekend events.
Thank you to Prof Alan Rice, professor at UCLAN and Director of the UCLan Research Centre in Migration, Diaspora and Exile (MIDEX) and Co-Director of the Institute for Black Atlantic Research (IBAR) for sharing his academic research, Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group), and Danny Lyons, (‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), Film maker, Sculptor, and local historian) for sharing their community research to bring the story of the battle to life.
The first history walk took place on the afternoon of the 24th June 2023 during the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary Festival outside Ye Olde Hob Inn, Church Rd, Bamber Bridge. Prof Alan Rice, Danny Lyons and Clinton Smith led a sizeable crowd along the main street, Station Rd, Bamber Bridge, to the site of the 1940s 1511 Quartermasters Regiment US Army base on Mounsey Rd. Alan, Danny, and Clinton shared the story of the battle with the fascinated audience. Alan described the events that started at 10pm on 24th June 1943, lasting for over four hours and resulting in over 400 bullets being fired. There is still one remaining original building left on the site of the camp on Mounsey Rd which belongs to the Royal Airforce Air Cadets and is currently under renovation.
We would like to thank the Lancashire Constabulary South Division Cadets, and the cadet leader, Diane Baldwin, who acted as marshals and helped keep everyone safe along the route.
The second history walk took place on Sunday 25th June when we were able to see the two small ‘guerilla’ memorials, which we assume were placed by Bamber Bridge locals, under the permanent plaque memorial and at the site where Private William Crossland lost his life during the battle.
Recordings were made of Prof Alan Rice’s History Walk of the route of the battle from the permanent memorial outside Ye Olde Hob Inn to the site of the 1511 Quartermasters Regiment camp on Mounsey Rd, Bamber Bridge,
The quality of the recordings is not very good – we at Preston Black History Group are relatively new at oral history recording and we are learning as we go – but you can hear Prof Rice, Clinton Smith and Danny Lyons’ commentaries which add details of the academic and community research that has been part of establishing an accurate narrative for the story of the battle.
Beginning of the walk by the memorial plaque in the garden outside the ‘Hob’.
‘Guerilla’ memorial placed under the Battle of Bamber Bridge memorial plaque outside Ye Olde Hob Inn, Church Rd, Bamber Bridge Beginning of the history walk by the memorial plaque in the garden outside the ‘Hob’.
2nd part outside Eunice Byers (Byers Grocers Shop in 1943) house on Station Rd Bamber Bridge
3rd part outside the Air Training Corp hut, Mounsey Rd, Bamber Bridge
4th part corner of Mounsey Rd and Station Rd, Bamber Bridge
5th part on Station Rd, round corner from Mounsey Rd, Bamber Bridge
End of walk on corner of Cooperative St and Station Rd, Bamber Bridge
End of History Walk, corner of Cooperative St and Station Rd, Bamber Bridge ‘Guerilla’ memorial for Private William T Crossland who lost his life in the Battle of Bamber Bridge, 24th June 1943
This research is ongoing and aims to lead to a reassessment of the official US Army Court-martials that branded black US Servicemen as Mutineers. A reassessment that recognises the poor leadership from the white officers, the white MP’s harassment of black troops for minor transgressions, and the many compassionate and heroic acts of the black servicemen during the battle which will put their contribution to the fight against fascism in its rightful place.
Preston Black History Group and UCLAN film and media students collaborated on a video recording of the commemoration events and interviewed many of the main participants and partners. These recordings of events from the weekend will be made into a documentary about the commemoration. Thank you to the students and lecturers who gave their time and expertise to help us make this possible
Coverage from US Public Radio and US Press of the 80th Anniversary
https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1183045605/black-army-soldiers-england-wwii-battle
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary Commemorative Service
at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church, Sun 25th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Thanks to Bamber Bridge Methodists for all their support.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
At 10.30 on Sunday 25th June 2023 Bamber Bridge Methodists kindly welcomed us into their Sunday morning service to commemorate the Battle of Bamber Bridge which took place 80 years ago on 24th June 1943.
The service was introduced by Rev Karen Le Mouton, the minister, and a reading was taken by Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council.
Interview with Rev Karen Le Mouton
Lay Preacher Denise Johnson and Minister Rev Karen Le Mouton Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group), Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research, MIDEX (Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile), Prof Gregory S Cooke (US Film maker and educator), Kim Lomax (Mayoress of South Ribble Borough Council), Chris Lomax (Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council). Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group)
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group told the congregation of his 40-year journey to discover the story of the battle and bring it into its rightful place in history and in the understanding of the people of Bamber Bridge.
Prof Gregory Cooke (US Film maker and educator) gave a spirited speech about his experience of ‘divine calling’ that took him to visit Bastogne in Belgium where, in the WW2 war museum, he first saw pictures of Black American Servicemen who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most significant engagements of US troops in WW2. His journey of discovery led him to seek out African American men and women who served in the US armed forces in WW2 and make his film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’ (shown on the evening of 24th June review here) that tells their stories in their own voices. He also discovered the impact of the largely positive experiences that Black troops had with the white locals around the camps. This was the first time many of the soldiers had been treated with respect and camaraderie by white people. It made them question their experience of fighting Fascism in Europe while experiencing a lack of human rights and the effects of ‘Jim Crow’ segregation at home in the US. Many went on to active campaigning for equal rights during the decades following WW2 after they returned home. It can be said that the experiences of Black Soldiers in Europe had a direct effect on the development of the US civil rights movement.
Rev Karen Le Mouton and Prof Gregory Cooke Prof Gregory S Cooke addresses the congregation
Gregory expressed his appreciation of the people of Bamber Bridge and their response to the Black GIs and of the 80th commemoration that keeps the story of their experiences alive. He first came to Bamber Bridge to interview local people about their experiences of the time the 1511 Quartermasters Regiment was stationed Mounsey Rd, Bamber Bridge – some of which is part of his film documentary. He also came here in 2013 for the 70th anniversary of the battle and expressed his satisfaction at the way the 80th anniversary has reached so many more people.
Interview with Prof Gregory S Cooke, US Film maker and educator.
Denise Johnson, Lay Preacher, Bamber Bridge Methodists gave a sermon where she asked us to consider how our actions have impacted on the people around us and asked us to share between us an example where we have gone outside our normal routine to help others.
Interview with Denise Johnson, Lay Preacher, Bamber Bridge Methodists
Eunice Byers, aged 106 and a lifelong member of the church, was present for the service and an interview with Clinton from PBHG and filmed by UCLAN Film and Media Lecturers was shown to the congregation. Eunice talked about her experiences during WW2, about Black US Servicemen attending services at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church and visiting her home. She is also the last known living witness of the Battle which passed by her bedroom window overlooking Station Rd in Bamber Bridge.
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group Interviewed Eunice Byers, aged 106, the last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge. The interview was filmed and edited with thanks to UCLAN Film and Media Lecturers.
After the service we took photos to record the events and Gregory Cooke presented Eunice with framed photos from the interview taken by Tony Maiden, PBHGs photographer.
Prof Gregory Cooke presents commemorative photos from PBHG to Eunice Byers Kim and Chris Lomax (Mayoress and Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council), Eunice Byers, (aged 106), last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge and Clinton Smith Chair PBHG Clinton Smith greets Eunice Byers Sylius Toussaint (PBHG member), Rev Karen Le Mouton and Prof Gregory Cooke Prof Alan Rice talks to Eunice Byers about the bible she received from an American GI in 1943 Members of Preston Black History Group with Prof Gregory Cooke, Mayor and Mayoress Chris and Kim Lomax, Eunice Byers and her family.
Interview with Eunice Evans, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), niece of Eunice Byers (aged 106, last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge)
Interview with Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council.
Interview with Danny Lyons, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), Film maker, Sculptor, and local historian
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
Including a History Walk of the site of the battle by Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research, MIDEX (Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile)
Review of “The Battle of Bamber Bridge”, a dramatic re – imagining.
Sat 24th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, Photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events.
K-Squared Productions presented the premier of a new play, “The Battle of Bamber Bridge ” by Kevin Kelly. A dramatic retelling of the events leading up to the battle, 80 years ago to the day. Starting at the Methodist Church and finishing outside Ye Olde Hob Inn where the fighting broke out on the evening of the 24th June 1943.
The play was presented as a dramatic ‘read-through’ so you can see the scripts in the actors’ hands in the photos. Written by Kevin Kelly (writer and producer, K-Squared Productions Ltd) who first heard the story from Prof Alan Rice, (UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research)). Hearing it made him think “someone needs to write this play!”. Kevin worked with Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group) to make sure that the first performance could be part of the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary events – with the added poignancy that the play ended at 10pm, the time that the battle in 1943 began, outside the ‘Hob’ with a minute of silence to honour the memory of Private William Crossland who lost his life in the battle.
James Churchill-Ellis and Christian Jae portray the growing relationship between locals and GIs, with Corey Thompson on the left The cast, Phil Hemming, Corey Thompson, Victoria Tew, Christian Jae and James Churchill-Ellis bring 40’s dance to the stage Phil Hemming and Corey Thompson embody their characters
The actors; Christian Jae, who played James Wise, a young American GI based in Bamber Bridge, Corey Thompson, who embodied Roy Windsor, an American MP, Victoria Tew who was Vera Brindle, a young ‘Brigger’ (native of Bamber Bridge), Phil Hemming, who played George Harrison, an older character with more experience of conflict as well as other characters that carried the story forward, and James Churchill-Ellis, who’s role was of a ‘Brigger’ carrying out ‘essential war work’ making parachutes in the Bamber Bridge Mill, all brought the story to life with great energy and panache.
Tania Daley-Cambell directed and Lucy Penrose created the soundscape for the play that transported the audience in the Methodist Church into the 1940s. The audience followed the action down Station Rd, Bamber Bridge, to the ‘Hob’, picking up interested people along the way and astonishing the pubs clientele who though they were out for an ordinary night’s socialising after the afternoon festival commemoration of the 80th anniversary. The dramatic performance, based on the events of the evening of 24th June 1943, held the audience spellbound and the fact that we were on the site of that original conflict brought out more memories for local people. Prof Gregory Cooke (Film maker, educator) spoke to a local man who described his mother’s memories of the battle. Gregory Cooke’s documentary film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’, which includes footage from Bamber Bridge, was shown earlier in the evening.
The conflict begins outside the ‘Hob’ Tonia Daley-Campbell (director), Victoria Tew, Kevin Kelly (writer and producer), Christian Jae, James Churchill-Ellis and Corey Thompson show their appreciation to their audience Kevin Kelly, Victoria Tew, Phil Hemming, Clinton Smith (PBHG), Christian Jae, Prof Alan Rice (UCLAN, IBAR), James Churchill-Ellis, Corey Thompson and Tonia Daley Campbell celebrate the premier of the play Sylius Toussaint, Phil Hemming, Corey Thompson, Victoria Tew, Tonia Daley-Campbell, Clinton Smith, Bridget Toussaint, James Churchill-Ellis, Christian Jae, Bernie Velvick (PBHG), and Prof Gregory Cooke after an amazing day of commemoration
It was a special night that will be remembered by all who witnessed it. Well done to K Squared Productions, the writer, director and actors for bringing the story to life for the 2023 audience. We felt a more personal connection to the historic facts through the portrayal of these individuals, their actions, thoughts and experiences.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events including Gregory Cooke’s documentary film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’ and the festival outside the ‘Hob’.
Review of ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’ – Documentary Film Screening
for the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary, Sat 24th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group. Photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
A screening of Gregory Cooke’s 2008 film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’, about Black American Soldiers in WW2, some of which was shot in Bamber Bridge and includes interviews with former residents of Bamber Bridge. The film was introduced by its’ producer, Gregory Cooke, who joined us from America for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Battle.
The film tells the story of 140,00 Black American soldiers and thousands of British civilians who crossed a racial divide to forge an unexpected bond. While serving in a segregated military, Black men and women did much of the U. S. Army’s “heavy lifting” by day, and introduced the British population to jazz, jitterbugging, and Black American culture by night. For the first time, Black American soldiers experienced what it is like to be treated as equals and as Americans.
Clinton Smith Chair PBHG welcomes the audience Prof Gregory Cooke with the audience for thr screening of his film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’
Gregory’s introduced the film by sharing his journey of discovery after experiencing what he describes as a ‘Divine calling’ to visit Bastogne in Belgium where, in the WW2 war museum, he first saw pictures of Black American Servicemen who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most significant engagements of US troops in WW2. His journey of discovery led him to seek out African American men and women who served in the US armed forces in WW2 and make this film that tells their stories in their own voices. He also discovered the impact of the largely positive experiences that Black troops had with the white locals around the camps. This was the first time many of the soldiers had been treated with respect and camaraderie by white people. It made them question their experience of fighting Fascism in Europe while experiencing a lack of human rights and the effects of ‘Jim Crow’ segregation at home in the US. Many went on to active campaigning for equal rights during the decades following WW2 after they returned home. It can be said that the experiences of Black Soldiers in Europe had a direct effect on the development of the US civil rights movement.
Gregory visited Bamber Bridge to interview local residents about their experiences of the Black soldiers and the events of the Battle of Bamber Bridge. He was able to locate one former serviceman in Colorado who had taken part in the Battle. He would not talk about his experience presumably since the battle led to many servicemen being court-martialed and branded as mutineers. This must still be a source of pain to those who took part, a situation that we would like to be part of remedying in the future. We hope for a reassessment of the Battle of Bamber Bridge that recognises the poor leadership from the white officers, the white MP’s harassment of black troops for minor transgressions, and the many compassionate and heroic acts of the black servicemen during the battle which will put their contribution to the fight against fascism in its rightful place.
Gregory Cooke discussed his documentary with Margaret Singleton from PBHG Gregory Cooke answers audience questions
Many audience members found the ‘Choc’late Soldiers’ documentary very moving. After the film screening there was a Q&A session with Gregory Cooke that stimulated some thoughtful reflection.
Listen to Gregory Cooke’s words here
Interview with Prof Gregory S Cooke, Film maker and educator
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
Review of the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary Commemorative Event
IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research), UCLAN. Friday 23rd June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, Photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events.
In June 1943, African American troops based at Bamber Bridge mutinied against the Jim Crow segregation conditions imposed in the European theatre. They found support from local residents. This international symposium was part of a commemorative weekend of events for the 80th anniversary of the mutiny on 23-25 June 2023, and stems from a project honouring their joint fight against racism in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States, Ministry of Defence, the US Defense Department, South Ribble Borough Council, Studio Canal and Preston Black History Group.
Thanks to Studio Canal for allowing us to show the film in Bamber Bridge on Thursday 22nd June. Review here
The commemorative event took place at the University of Central Lancashire Fylde Road Preston PR1 2HE
Opening by Aaron Snipe, Spokesperson of the American Embassy. Aaron explained why the story of the Battle of Bamber Bridge resonates with him, personally, and told us about hearing stories from his Grandparents of their experiences of segregation and racism in an American Army base in the US South. He heard about the story of Bamber Bridge through Jemma Rodgers film ‘Railway Children Return’ and came up to visit in Nov 2022. He immediately ‘got’ why we all feel this is an important story to retell.
Welcome and intro talk by Professor Alan Rice. Alan has been researching the facts of the battle for many years and related the information he has found from the original US Court Martial transcripts from 1943. Notably, the description of the uniform of a white MP being splattered with beer taking more space than the tragic death of Private William Crossland, and the description of the Black US Troops as being ‘hysterical’ when a group of Black US Servicemen, during the battle, rescued and took an injured White US Soldier to a nearby hospital. Not the actions of ‘hysterical’ men.
Short talks by Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble, who described first hearing the story as a child in Bamber Bridge as if it was almost a ghost story. Finding out the facts after he became a politician in South Ribble (which Bamber Bridge is part of) prompted his commitment to the installation last year of a permanent memorial and garden outside Ye Olde Hob Inn in Bamber Bridge where the events in 1943 began.
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group, told us of his four-decade long relationship with this story after noticing what he first described as “very large termite holes” in a building at the corner of Station Rd and Mounsey Rd (where the US Camp was situated) in Bamber Bridge. “Nay lad! Those are bullet holes from the Battle of Bamber Bridge” explained his companion. The story haunted him for years and wouldn’t let him rest without bringing the facts to a wider audience and working to complete the jigsaw through talking to local people and working with Prof Alan Rice.
Jemma Rodgers, Producer of the ‘Railway Children Return’. Jemma told us of her journey of discovery in melding the true events into a fictional updating of the story of the Railway Children by E Nesbit. The film is set in Yorkshire during WW2, where a group of young children evacuated to a small village encounter a young African American soldier (Abe) who, like them, is far away from his home. The film is based loosely on the real-life incident in Bamber Bridge in 1943 which left one soldier dead.
Review of the BBB 80th film showing here
Danny Lyons, Director, ‘Community Memories of the Battle of Bamber Bridge’. Danny heard his Grandparents stories of the events 1943 and vowed to find out more. He collected interviews with eye witnesses, Bamber Bridge people (Briggers), some of whom are no longer with us. His film was shown in the ‘Hob’ during the day long festival on 24th June organized by South Ribble Borough Council with their partners PBHG and UCLAN
Keynote talk by Guardian journalist, author and academic Professor Gary Younge, University of Manchester who has just won The Orwell Prize for Journalism 2023. Gary gave us a much-needed context for the events in Bamber Bridge, his academic research on the experiences of Black US troops in Europe during WW2 has yielded many instances of fellowship between working people and Black US troops in many European Countries. But the relationships are complex. He showed us photos from the liberation of Paris which was largely accomplished by Black troops – the Black troops were ‘hidden’ by the white authorities and only one Black Resistance fighter can be seen in the press photos from that time. Gary explained that although ordinary people responded well to the Black Troops, the racism of European Colonialism was akin to that of the US Jim Crowe laws and segregation. The current racism of the US and the UK are just different dialects of the same prejudice.
Q&A chaired by Professor Alan Rice
Screening of ‘Invisible Warriors’ documentary by Gregory Cooke. Gregory showed us a photo of his mother who was a ‘war worker’ in Washington DC. She travelled from her home in the South of the US, and, along with 600,000 other Black women, took the place of a male worker who went to fight in the war. Black women workers often took on the heaviest and most dangerous work – in gunpowder production and other heavy industries. They also faced racism on a daily basis. These women’s contribution to the ‘war effort’ has been largely forgotten. Gregory’s film allowed us to hear their testimonies in their own voices.
Q&A with Gregory Cooke and Professor Alan Rice
Prof Lisa Morrell, US Academic with Gary Younge Sylius Toussaint, PBHG
The whole event culminated in a reception at the rooftop terrace of UCLAN’s new Student Centre where ther were many passionate conversations continuing to explore the issues raised by the symposium.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events.
Review of ‘Railway Children Return’
Film Screening for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Bamber bridge, Thurs 22nd June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, photos by Tony Maiden and Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
We kicked off our weekend of commemoration of the anniversary on Thursday evening 22nd June 2023 at the Bamber Bridge Methodist Church with a free showing of the film from 2022, ‘The Railway Children Return’. We had a small but very appreciative audience comprised of Bamber Bridge residents (Briggers), Local History enthusiasts and members of Preston Black History Group (PBHG).
We were delighted to have the film’s producer, Jemma Rodgers, who, with Clinton Smith, chair of PBHG, introduced the film and shared the fascinating journey of how this film helped spread the word about the events in June 1943 in Bamber Bridge. Jemma told us of her journey of discovery in melding the true events into a fictional updating of the story of the Railway Children by E Nesbit. She shared her conviction that the story she wanted to tell was in the spirit of the original story from 1905 that also includes an element of political awareness. She expressed her relief that both Studio Canal, who helped her make the film, and Jenny Agutter, the actress who played the main character of ‘Bobbie’ in the 1970 film adaptation and who plays the Grandmother of one of the children in the ‘Railway Children Return’ both shared her excitement in telling this new story.
Jemma consulted Prof Alan Rice from UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research) and MIDEX (The UCLan Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile) to make sure she had the facts correct and made us all laugh when she related her nervousness at the first showing of the film to Alan and Clinton, both of whom were ‘blown away’ by the way this film carries such an important and sensitive story in a way that is suitable for children.
This film is set in Yorkshire during WW2, where a group of young children evacuated to a small village encounter a young African American soldier (Abe) who, like them, is far away from his home. The film is based loosely on the real-life incident in Bamber Bridge in 1943 which left one soldier dead.
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group introduces the film’s producer, Jemma Rodgers Jemma Rodgers, the Railway Children Return producer shares her excitement in telling the story
Our audiences’ older members enjoyed all the ‘wartime’ aspects of the film with much mirth but there were also teary eyes at times. Rev Karen Le Mouton from Bamber Bridge Methodists shared in an interview with PBHG how much Jemma’s introduction deepened her appreciation of the film and the story being told. Eunice Evans, the niece of Eunice Byers, aged 106 – the last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge – came to see the film with her Grand daughter. She told us how the film helped her talk about events during WW2 with the 8 year old youngster. You can listen to the interviews with Jemma, Karen and Eunice below.
The film was reviewed in the Daily Mail in 2022 which caught the attention of Aaron Snipe, spokesperson for the American Embassy in London. Aaron visited Bamber Bridge in November 2022 and pledged his support to PBHG, UCLAN and South Ribble Borough Council which has all helped us get the story of the events in Bamber Bridge in 1943 out into the wider world.
Thanks to Jemma Rodgers and Studio Canal for allowing us to show the film. And thanks to Bamber Bridge Methodist Church for hosting the event.
Bernie Velvick from Preston Black History Group interviewed partners and participants from the weekend of commemoration.
Jemma Rodgers, Producer of ‘The Railway Children Return’ Film
Rev Karen Le Mouton, Minister at Bamber Bridge Methodists Church
Eunice Evans, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), niece of Eunice Byers (aged 106, last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge)
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
