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Press
Release
Exciting new Black Heritage Centre for Brixton
Lambeth Council agrees to lease Raleigh Hall to
the Black Cultural Archives.
Raleigh Hall, a derelict listed building opposite
Lambeth Town Hall is to become home to the nationally
respected Black Cultural Archives. Heads of Terms
for a 99 year lease have been agreed between Lambeth
Council and the Black Cultural Archives (BCA).
The BCA was established in 1981 with the aim of
promoting the teaching, learning and understanding
of the contribution of people of African and Caribbean
descent to the history of Britain. A registered charity,
funded by Lambeth Council, BCA previously operated
from 378 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
BCA's champion, Len
Garrison, who sadly passed away
in February 2003, had a vision to see the Black Cultural
Archives secure a fitting permanent home in Brixton.
That has now been achieved. Raleigh Hall will house
the organisation's archival collection and stand
as a living monument to the Black presence at the
heart of the capital of Black Britain.
In fulfilment of the terms of the lease agreement,
378 Coldharbour Lane was sold in August and the Council
has provided BCA with interim premises at 1 Othello
Close, Kennington during the refurbishment of Raleigh
Hall.
Raleigh Hall has been unoccupied for over 10 years
and requires major structural repairs, refurbishment
and extension before it is fit for purpose.
BCA has appointed a design team to develop Raleigh
Hall, led by Lambeth-based architects Pringle Richards
Sharratt with Trace Architecture. The team was appointed
in July following a competitive interview process
and joins ABL Cultural Consulting who have been working
with BCA and Lambeth Council on project development
since January 2004. In August Ralph Appelbaum Associates
were appointed as Exhibition Designers.
The team are working with BCA to submit the first
stage of a capital bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund
in summer 2006. This phase of the project preparation
has been made possible by a grant from Lambeth Council.
Previous feasibility work was funded by the Neighbourhood
Renewal Programme and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
"We are overjoyed to have secured this agreement
for Raleigh Hall. This is a major milestone in our
history. Over the next few months we are looking
forward to working with the community and other partners
in developing our vision and raising the funds needed
to make it a reality," said the BCA. "We are
indebted to Council Officers, elected Members, Brixton
Area Forum and Brixton Area Committee, who are represented
on our steering committee, for their steadfast and
inspired support. And we are grateful for the support
of our local community, in particular the Raleigh
Hall Action Group, which has encouraged and believed
in us.
"It is our aim to design a state of the art
facility which will serve as a resource for exhibitions,
educational
programmes, academic research and cultural history.
BCA intends to continually consult with the community
and cultural organisations as we develop our plans
for Raleigh Hall.
"This heritage centre aims to become a national
and an international attraction, drawing in researchers
and tourists from all over Britain and overseas
enhancing London's status while raising awareness
about the Black British contribution to London, Britain
and the world," The BCA declared.
The Leader of Lambeth
Council, Councillor Peter Truesdale, welcomed the
move. "The past is central to who
we are as individuals and as a community. The Black
Cultural Archives are a record of Black peoples'
achievements, struggles and heritage. Lambeth Council
is delighted they will have a permanent home in
Brixton," he stated.
The new centre will:
- Promote and present exhibitions to celebrate
the lives of Black British achievers
- Collect and care for important stories and papers
relating to Black British history
- Provide activities and education programmes
for schools, families, elders and young people
- Create a gateway through a new website and
its collections, to local national and international
information relating
to the culture and history of African and
Caribbean people in Britain
- Train black people in the archive and curating
professions.
The Black Cultural Archives has moved to temporary
new premises at 1 Othello Close, Kennington in this
period of development and is now open for business.
For more information about opening hours and upcoming
events and programmes at the Black Cultural
Archives please contact 020 7582 8516 or [email protected].
www.bcaheritage.org.uk
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