Black History Month celebrations at Herefordshire Libraries

This year, as we commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, Herefordshire Libraries is proud to present a range of events to celebrate Black History Month.

Every October Black History Month provides a forum to highlight the positive contributions made by the black and minority ethnic communities that live in the UK.

Libraries across the county will be displaying a selection of books about black history and culture -from the history of hip- hop and reggae to the novels, memoirs and poetry of acclaimed black writers.

Nineteen young people aged between 14 and 15 years from The Courtyard Youth Theatre will perform "Ira", a lively and highly physical masked piece of theatre based on the life and challenges of Ira Aldridge, the celebrated 19th century black actor.

The performances take place in Leominster Library on Saturday, October 13 at 2pm and at Ross Library Saturday, October 27 at 2pm
Tickets are free but places are limited.

A Multicultural Picture of Herefordshire by artist photographer Ally Hardy will be on display in Leominster Library from October 9 to 13 and from October 23 to 27 at Ross Library. Ally Hardy was inspired to take photographs of non-white individuals where she found them around Herefordshire while helping to make a film about multiculturalism in the county.

She said: "I took the photographs to prove that Herefordshire is already a multicultural county, despite many contrary opinions I think it's important for everybody who moves here to be welcomed as we would expect to be welcomed if we moved abroad. I hope my artwork promotes that message."

To mark Black History Month Ross Library readers' group will be discussing 26a by Diana Evans on Thursday October 11 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. New members are welcome to come along to this very friendly relaxed group. Diana Evans won the Orange Prize new writers award for this wickedly funny, very poignant, extraordinary first novel.