The last decade - Harry Cumberbatch

As the website nears completion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the unwavering support of family and friends whose encouragement remains a constant source of motivation.

I continue to emphasise how crucial it is for African Caribbean/West Indian pioneers from my generation to record their experiences, as these personal stories are valuable primary sources for history. These accounts showcase our contributions to British society, especially when historical records can be reinterpreted. I am convinced that if we do not share our own stories they risk being overlooked or even forgotten.

The decade covers:

Continuing my work with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation.
30th anniversary of International Youth Year (From Canning Town to Bridgetown).
Developing an African and Caribbean family history day in Tower Hamlets.
Celebrating the life of Philip Morgan SPIRIT.
Surviving the Windrush scandal.
Heritage work during the Covid 19 pandemic.
A digital project “Recognising the past, shaping the future”

Celebrating THACMHO 25th anniversary.
Developing the Newham African and Caribbean Heritage Reference Group.
A steering Group member of the Tower Hamlets.
Community of Liberation project (NACHRG).
Oral history interviews for Exeter University and the Tower Hamlets Libraries and Archives.
Working with the University College of London Archaeology South-East’s project .
Contributing to the Mayor of London’s memorial for victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Tributes, dedications and testimonies.
Conclusion.

The Tony Cheeseman Annual Lecture

At the start of 2014 I was involved with the Tony Cheseman Foundation’s annual lecture, ‘Black Women in History’ (A Snapshot of Black Women in Newham). It was a privilege to present our Community Award to Dona Keizer and to speak briefly about her accomplishments. When Dona passed in 2018 it was an honor to be chosen by her family to write and deliver her eulogy.

DOWNLOAD Donna-Keizer STORY

DOWNLOAD Donna-Keizer Eulogy

Donna Keizer

Donna Keizer with her son, granddaughter and myself, holding her community award with pride.

Ronald Reid a founding member of the Foundation presented our Guest speakers Marva Rawlins OBE and Ama Gauye with bouquets.

Enjoying refreshments and socialising.

A snapshot of powerful Black Women in Newham.

Working with the African Heritage Forum

From Canning Town to Bridgetown

In 2015, Eastlea School commemorated the 30th anniversary of International Youth Year by inviting members of the joint Eastlea School / Youth Centre Barbados project back to the school for a day of activities to mark their achievement. Eight of the original members attended. The Barbados Nation UK newspaper reported the event.

The school marked the anniversary by commissioning this souvenir cup.

The day began with a welcome reception featuring a performance by the school steelband. This was followed by a school assembly where the Principal Chinye Jibunoh extended a warm welcome and recounted the history of the project followed by the showing of a video of the project and a Q and A.

We were presented with a souvenir cup in honour of the 30th anniversary, after which we enjoyed an exquisite four course lunch prepared by Kitchen staff and students studying hospitaliy. A team of journalist’s from the school newsletter interviewed the project members. I was given the privilige of laying a time capsule in the school memorial garden that is not to be opened until 2045.

The School Assembly

A reunion 30 years in the making for some of the participants! Getting ready for a sumptuous four course meal prepared by the kitchen staff and students studying hospitality. A team of journalist’s from the school newspaper also interviewed the project members.

Laying the time capsule.

Black History Month 2015

Although I had stepped down as Co-ordinator of Thacmho I still held deep ties with the group and supported them with their 2015 Black History Month event through a collaboration with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation. Our exhibition ‘From Discovery to Independence: Highlighting the journey of sugar’ and our workshop supported the principles of ‘Health through History’. That knowing your past/history can be a source of wellbeing.

Visitors viewing the exhibition.

The Chair of The Tony Cheeseman Foundation Mark Vaughn leading the Workshop.

The Foundation’ 2015 Annual Lecture

The Caribbean contribution to the building of the Panama Canal presented by Vasco Stephenson

The lecture was delivered by Vasco Stevenson a community activist and historian. Matthew Parker who wrote the book Panama Fever also contributed during the Q&A. Here I am in conversation with Matthew Parker.

1st and 2nd edition covers of Matthew Parker book on Panama.

This event had an emotional connection since my maternal grandfather was one of the workers who survived and returned safely.

His story is for another time but here is Barbados commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Panama canal and an official first day cover taken from my personal stamp collection.

The Tony Cheeseman Foundation’ 5th Annual Lecture

As a member of both the Forum and the Foundation, I contributed to organising the African Heritage Forum’s presentation entitled “WW1 Caribbean Soldiers on the Western Front” for the Tony Cheeseman Foundation’ 5th Annual Lecture. The late Alan Wilmot provided valuable insights from his recently published autobiography, “Now You Know” and was honoured with the Foundation’s 2016 Community Award.

Alan Wilmont with Management Committee members.

Enjoying the lecture.

People at the lectre intensly soaking up the imformation.

Enjoying the lecture.

2016 Emancipation Day
Reparations March and celebrations

On Emancipation Day 1 August 2016, I took part with the Tony Cheesman Foundation in an annual African community event calling for reparations from the British Government. We marched from Windrush Square in Brixton to the Houses of Parliament to hear speeches and deliver a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street before returning to Brixton to celebrate Emancipation Day also called in some British Caribbean colonies (Full Free).

Photo by Luke Daniels.

Barbados Democratic Party UK Branch Golden Jubilee Independence Awards 2016

I was honoured to receive this award from the Democratic Labour Party UK for my community work and being an ambassador for Barbados.

Members of the Barbados DLP UK executive committee and recipients of the award.

I was honored to receive this award from the Democratic Labour Party UK for my community work and being an ambassador for Barbados.

Celebrating Barbados in East London

The Tony Cheeseman Foundation had the opportunity to work with the Museum of London Docklands by making an educational input to their weekend family event ‘Hello London Hello Barbados’. This was a family weekend festival to mark 50 years of Bajan independence, our exhibition banners and THACMHO’ film ‘Crossing the Seas’ was well received with many positive comments made.

A well attended weekend event and visitors were keen to learn more about our work. | Photos by Nailah Cumberbatch

African and Caribbean Family History Day in Tower Hamlets

Archivist Malcom Barr and I.

The 2017 African and Caribbean Family History in Tower Hamlets conference came about following my attendance at a family history day in 2016 organised by Tower Hamlets Archives.

Having noticed the absence of Black families from the event, I raised this concern with the Tower Hamlets Archivist Malcolm Barr and he shared the concern that there were no Black family contributions held in the Archives. This conversation led to this 2017 event.

It was an honour to have the Dujon family attend the Family History Day. Their 1960 photo was found in the archives and used for the event publicity.

Here I am talking with our esteemed guests, Priscilla Dujon and two of her sons.

Paul Crooks delivering his talk on researching Caribbean history.

A well-attended event with a full programme, excellent presentations and a lovely lunch and exhibition.

The Family History chart used on the day to encourage participants to make start.

Barbados Family History Project

As part of the programme, I reached out to the Barbados Museum & Historical Society (Barbados Genealogy Group) to support the day. Here is a Power Point of some the Family History events which I attended while on the Island that year.

Video of the event is available on request.

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Download size 41mb. Unzip and open in PowerPoint.

Our 7th Annual Lecture

‘Self Help and Self-Reliance in our community’

Marie Gabriel delivered a keynote address entitled ‘How Can We Support Our Young People.’ She was also the recipient of the 2017 Tony Cheeseman Foundation Community Award trophy. In the 2025 New Year Honours list, Marie was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her distinguished career in health and equity, as well as her voluntary contributions to the community.

The Philip Morgan Legacy Group

Sadly, our beloved member Philip Morgan SPiRiT suddenly passed in 2017. He was a pillar of strength to our organisation and also a presenter on Galaxy community radio station.

Here is 14 minutes of his July 4th American Independence Day 2013 broadcast.

In December 2017, I was invited to join a committee led by members of THACMHO to honor Philip’s legacy. Our goal was to celebrate Philip Morgan’s contributions to African and Caribbean history, as well as to the mental health survivors’ movement.
He played an important role in working with Tower Hamlets Archives to promote their African and Caribbean collection.
We also set out to launch an intergenerational research project exploring African and Caribbean settlement in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. I remained on the committee until July 2023, when the organisation concluded its activities.

Community Building

Recognised as a Newham Community Builder

Remembering Philip Morgan, SPiRiT

A video of the event is avaible on request.

This symbol, created by Sam Shakes a member of the legacy committee, represents a candle flame burning eternally as we remember our beloved member of THACMHO. Philip SPiRiT Morgan.

Surviving A Hostile Environment

Experiencing overt racial discrimination in the 1960s was dehumanising, but what I faced in 2018 was traumatising, the possibility of deportation after living 53 years in the UK and being separated from family and friends. During my tenure as a Mental Health Act Manager, I was subject to regular Disclosure and Barring Service checks. In 2018 I was required to present information of my identity to NHS administrators. I was aware of a discrepancy between my birth date and the information on my passport but I did not anticipate this would trigger a Home Office investigation requiring me to provide further evidence of my right to remain in the country.

Regrettably, my original passport went missing and could not be found. Additionally, the Home Office confirmed that all landing cards and immigration records which could have substantiated my legal status had been destroyed. Then to my surprise, my naturalisation certificate was deemed insufficient as proof of my legal residency. It was at this point that I realised there was a genuine risk of deportation, similar to cases reported in the media.

After several weeks of unsuccessfully trying to resolve the issue on my own, I started to panic and sought legal help. I hired an immigration lawyer and Notary Public to assist with resubmitting my case to the Home Office, which ultimately led to a satisfactory outcome. Just to let you know… I found my passport when I was not looking for it and I also corrected the discrepancy between my birth certificate and my passport.

10 years of the London Sugar and Slavery Gallery

Following efforts by members of the original London Sugar and Slavery Gallery, the London Museum Docklands agreed to commemorate the Gallery’s 10th anniversary.

Former committee member of the London Sugar and Slavery Gallery, Professor Hakim Adi and I were interviewed about our experience working with the museum and setting up the gallery as part of the 10th anniversary celebration.

The Tony Cheeseman Foundation’ 7th Annual Lecture “Lest we Forget.”

In line with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation’ aim of commemorating the contributions made by African-Caribbean people to the development of Britain.

This was an opportunity to introduce West Indian / African & Caribbean family history to Newham. Dr James Dawkins a socio-economics Historian kindly agreed to deliver the lecture. He reflected on how the labour of his enslaved ancestors in Jamaica enriched the White Dawkins family to such an extent that they became one of England’ wealthiest slave owning dynasties.

Local researcher Nailah Cumberbatch did a presentation on her family history dating back to her 4 x Great Grandfather. As a 2-year-old enslaved African on plantation records in Barbados as property. These records were used as the background on the flyer. A powerful image indeed.

‘Every generation is what it is as a result of the subtle and delicate influences of past generations. As a heritage organisation we have the crucial task of helping our future generation to find its bearings’.

Winston Pinder (Past Chair of Tony Cheeseman Foundation)

A busy Black History Month with celebrations in Newham and Tower Hamlets.

Celebrating Claude McKay Poet and Political Activist.

Black History Month 2019 Newham

The Tony Cheseman Foundation’ final event before transitioning to a legacy website was a contribution to Newham Black History Month 2019. The Foundation launched a new Sugar exhibition, recorded oral histories for the Newham Archives Black community collection and hosted a lecture by Historian Cecil Gutzmore. Founding members Winston Pinder and Pearla Boyce received the organisation’s 2019 Community Awards.

Members of the Barbados DLP UK executive committee and recipients of the award.

Historian Dr Cecil Gutzmore delivering the 2019 lecture.

Winston Pinder receiving his award.

Pearla Boyce receiving her award from Chair Dona Henriques.

The video of the lecture is available on request and the oral history interviews are part of the Newham Archives African Caribbean collection.

Recognising the past, shaping the future

“Recognising the past, shaping the future” was the title of a digital project I undertook in 2019 for Newham Black History Month. I curated and presented materials from my archives, including a cross section of Black community magazines.

Some young people attending the event which was held at the Hibiscus centre commented that they were unaware that the Black community had organised themselves and even produced their own magazines.

It is experiences like these that makes intergenerational work necessary.

Here is the presentation and my collection of Black community magazines are available for exhibition loans.

The Covid Pandemic Experience

Like many during the Covid pandemic, I adapted to the unprecedented situation with great anxiety. My family in the UK applied the concept of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), commonly used by the National Health Service and care agencies, in a personalised way: P for Pray, P for Play and E for Enjoying the moment, which became part of our daily routine. For families like mine who had members living in different countries it was full of uncertainty. One of my daughters and my grandson sent this clarinet duet to build morale and cheer us up during a time of forced separation.

Black History Month on Zoom

The Covid years also offered an opportunity to celebrate Black History Month remotely with an online Zoom event. We remembered Philip Morgan SPiRiT for his work and shared the story of the Tower Hamlets African and Caribbean Mental Health Organisation.

Lockdown in Newham

As a member of the Newham Heritage Month steering committee, we held our first event in June 2021 and I wrote the below article on the late Tony Cheeseman. It focuses on his music and work in Newham as a founding member and first development worker of the Newham Black Performing Arts and visual Workshop.

https://www.newhamheritagemonth.org/records/newham-black-performing-and-visual-arts-workshop/

The article also allowed me to pay a special tribute to one of Jamaica’ National Heroes the Rt Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, for the 80th anniversary of his passing. Many great visionaries of the last century read his book “Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey” and used his concepts to challenge colonial rule.

Please read the full 2nd edition published in 1967 here.

Still in lockdown

Newham Heritage Month in May 2021 featured a mix of online and in-person events. Here I am answering some questions for VE day on an online interview titled Memories of Post War Newham. Contributing to VE Day 75th anniversary.

Black History Month in Tower Hamlets

The Philip Morgan Legacy Group partnered with Tower Hamlets Archives to commemorate Black History Month 2022 with a programme called Black History and Mental Health. This event also marked the 25th anniversary of THACMHO.

Here I am handing over bags and boxes of materials to the Tower Hamlets Archives. Received by the Borough Archivist Richard Wiltshire and accompanied by Raymond Smith the former secretary of THACMHO. Raymond subsequently undertook volunteer training to assist with the cataloguing of the collection.

Photos by Richard Wiltshire.

Here I am signing a loan Deposit agreement with the Tower Hamlets Local History Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group NACHRG

Due to the lack of content of African and Caribbean community information on display at the Newham Archives I called a community meeting in September 2022 at the Stratford Library to discuss the matter. Six people turned up and they were a few apologies. This was how the group NACHRG was formed and with a mission: To collect, document and record the African Caribbean presence in Newham and to make this information available to the Newham Archives and the widest possible public.

The group adopted the Newham Heritage Month Steering Group definition of Heritage. ‘The things, people, places and memories that we value today and are worth preserving for the future’.

THACMHO farewell lunch and the launch of its 25th anniversary report

Another ending for me at THACMHO.

Newham Heritage Month 2023

Holding my 1963 British Barbados passport and Mrs Cumberbatch next to the original valise/suitcase that her Mother travelled to England with in 1955.

Jess Conway the Borough Archivist for Newham viewing a selection of Black community magazines on display.

Black History Month 2023 in Tower Hamlets

East London Archives coming together for a Black History Month supporting local African & Caribbean history. My contribution to the event was being interviewed by Tower Hamlets Archivist Richard Wiltshire.

Black History Month in Tower Hamlets has come a long way since 1999 when the council funded our first one and I sat on the early committee’s.

Here is the 2023 Tower Hamlets Black History Months brochure for you information.

Working with Dr Georgie Wemyss

My oral history interview with Dr Georgie Wemyss is best understood by reading her article where she explains about my involvement with the London Sugar and Slavery Gallery.

The Cast in Stone Project:
https://castinstone.exeter.ac.uk/database/s/en/page/case-studies-robert-milligan

2024

NACHRG Blue Plaque Launch

NACHRG continued its development, collaborating with Borough Archivist Jess Conway and supporting Newham Heritage Month. In 2024 we partnered with Neandra Etienne for a Newham Heritage Blue Plaque unveiling event, which recognised the founding members of the Newham Black Performing & Visual Arts Workshop: Tony Cheeseman, Pearla Boyce, Peter Navunga, Nathalie Pierre, and Harian Henry.

Please read the below programme and enjoy the video.

Photos by Sharon Grandision

NACHRG Blue Plaque Launch – 5 minute Preview

NACHRG Blue Plaque Launch – Full video.

Still serving the Community

Since 2022, I have served as a steering group member of the Communities of Liberation project.

Visit: https://www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history/communities-of-liberation-project

Working with UCL-Archaeology South-East’s project

I collaborated with UCL-Archaeology South-East’s project. (Whitechapel Community Archaeology Collective: Bringing together objects, storytellers, activists, curators, and archaeologists.)

Sarah Wolferstan Senior Specialist – Public Engagement wrote “Harry has been involved in to tell the story of Black East Londoners since 2004. Working as a collective has been vital to this early phase of our engagement, reminding us why co-design is so rich and rewarding. The project not only reflects on the everyday lives of Black Londoners in the 18th century but also spotlight the vital contributions of African and Caribbean communities to British culture then and now. The collective formed organically, meeting with the support various small grants from UCL, and the kind support of LBTH archive staff and the generous contribution of everyone’s time and effort. The collective sees this exhibition as a starting point, a backdrop to build further partnerships, maybe to inspire more visits to the exhibition and site, offering new audiences the chance to handle and be inspired by the archaeological discoveries, the site’s objects and shared stories.”

Our first event took place in July as part of the CBA’s Festival of Archaeology. The highlight was an interview with Harry and Dorothy, who related their experience of history and wellbeing projects, and what it was like to include archaeology in their work? Dorothy said that she was struck by one aspect in particular: ‘The hidden history: there is an appetite for learning more about something that is rarely, if ever discussed in the mainstream.’

The exhibition is part of a wider group of work titled Pattern, which you can visit the exhibition at Culture Lab, UCL East Marshgate, 7 Sidings Street, Stratford, London E20 2AE until Spring 2026. Public days are on Wednesdays 2-5pm, and the first Saturday of the month 11am-4pm.

Dorothy and I being interviewed by Sarah.

Photos by Katie Blake

A Power Writers book on display.

THACMHO was also featured in British Archaeology magazine July /August 2025

Is it a coincidence?

Is it a coincidence or ancestor intervention? The prominence of the Cowrie shells on the London museum Docklands site formerly No 1 warehouse West India Docks, where sugar and other products from the West Indies produced by enslaved African labour was stored.

At the opening of the London Sugar and Slavery Gallery in 2007 cowrie shells were central to the traditional African spiritual evocation and in 2024 a giant Cowrie shell was chosen by the public for the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’ memorial to the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

2007

2026

I have formally communicated with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, regarding the alteration of the title from that which was agreed upon during my participation in the 2023 roundtable for the planning of the memorial. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the revised wording, specifically “a memorial for victims of Slavery.”

I am also advocating for an interactive exhibit at the London Sugar and Slavery gallery that allows visitors to understand what Africa lost during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and what Britain gained. I believe this addition would serve as a valuable complement to the new memorial which will be located outside the museum in 2026.

Tributes, Dedications and Testimonies

In past posts I ended each decade reflecting on a significant event, often an important family event. As this is the last decade, I will close with some of the recent dedications, testimonies, and tributes that I have received about my work.

The Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE presenting me with a beautiful bouquet.

A mental health dedication

THACMHO would like to specifically honor Harry Cumberbatch MBE, the founding force of THACMHO, the strength behind our delivery and the constant navigator of our success. Harry is always humble but we owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his ingenuity, courage and perseverance.

Many of us would have been lost without his support and the community much poorer without his pioneering contributions.

Thank you, Harry

Thacmho 2022 Conference Report

A youth work testimony

It is truly a pleasure in knowing Elder Harry Cumberbatch MBE. We first met back in 1992 when Elder Harry co-founded and launched the African Historical Awareness Project in Forest Gate East London when I was just 21 years old. This project was to inform and/or positively magnify the much-needed necessity of understanding identity, cultural competency, aspirations and purpose for youth/young adults within Newham. One of the greatest lessons I learned from Elder Harry during this project was the fundamental principle of individual and collective responsibility in giving back to the community you come from and live amongst, especially for the next generation.

Elder Harry has manifested and exemplified this principle to the fullest. Throughout the many years of service Elder Harry has selflessly and tirelessly put in real work that generations after him, and even yet to be born generations, have and will benefit from for empowerment and contributing
towards a more cohesive and positive society. This is a legacy to be respected and honoured. I pray I can continue to do Elder Harry’s legacy justice in the principles I have inherited from him.

T. Hakim Project Director
The New Black Film Collective

A heritage award

Newham African and Caribbean Reference Group – Inspiration Award 2024 Recognises Harrington Delisle Cumberbatch MBE for 60 years of championing the African Caribbean Community in East London. ‘A true Pioneer’

Thank you, Harry

Conclusion

I June 2024 after receiving the NACHRG community award I promised to share my story of 60 years living in East London and I’m happy to have completed this task!

I would like to acknowledge the support of my family in particular my daughter Nailah, whose technical expertise proved invaluable throughout this process. I am also appreciative of the patience and dedication of my web designer Roderick Rose. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge and honour the pioneers of my generation and those who came before me. Those who are no longer with us, their achievements and legacies continue to be respected.

One of my most notable achievements has been the extensive collection of materials gathered over the years, enabling me to create a substantial archival resource. Although the process has occasionally presented challenges, it has been treated as a labour of love. It is now my sincere hope that you found this 60-year commemoration educational, interesting and of some value.

Music has featured in previous decades: from The Merry Men inviting us back to beautiful Barbados, THACMHO members appreciating reggae music and the singing group’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,”

It is now my privilege to conclude the journey as I began it by reflecting on growing up in Barbados, where the sweet melodies and insightful social commentary of calypso music was a source of happiness. Therefore, I leave you with a song by the calypsonian Roots Man, which not only brings back nice memories but also delivers an important message.

Live nice everyone!

Created by Arts and Mirror designer Dr Aboo Ratata who also did my 2006 THACMHO farewell gift.

The Project Last Decade

2014 - 2025