Eric and Jessica Huntley

by Mia Morris

Number one on my list though I am sure they will be quite astounded and retort by saying , ‘we were not the only ones’ are Jessica and Eric Huntley. They will insist that there was an ‘us’ not only a ‘we’. During this period of deep reflection and introspection it is useful to pay homage to those around us who work hard behind the scenes, seldom take any praise for themselves and give tremendous service to our community unconditionally and unstintingly.

Eric and Jessica Huntley are in their early 70s and live in Ealing, the birthplace of so many campaigns in our community; supplementary schools, health issues, and of course the publishing world. They are both reticent to talk about themselves and the work they have done.

So why are they number one on my list? They have not taken their eyes off the community and have continuously supported, carried and helped to establish a wide range of things we take for granted. The regular exchange of Black authors coming into the UK, the organizing of the International Third World Bookshop and spotting and nurturing talent by working in the grass roots foundations of our community.

Life for this indomitable couple always resolved around culture and politics. The Huntleys have brought together these bedfellows in a unique and formidable force. Jessica and Eric still run the Bogle L’Overture publishing house and take pleasure in all their projects from working with Walter Rodney’s seminal work Groundings with my Brothers, to showcasing the work of Andrew Salkey. They have created platforms which helped to establish Paule Marshall and Maya Angelou as household names. The closure of the Walter Rodney Bookshop in Ealing has not stopped the valuable work which they do. This was one of the key meeting areas in London and families and individuals who regularly visited continue to talk about it. The shop had a place in the heart of the community and everyone misses the buzz that it created. In keeping with the appeals within the community during BHM, there will be a launch of the Friends of Bogle L’Ouverture as they are keen to develop work on ensuring that future generations are able to access their formidable archive. They will love to hear from young people who would be keen to find out more.

I suspect when most of us reach our 70s we will most likely be looking forward to putting our feet up. Spare a thought for Eric and Jessica who continue to attend cultural and political events all over London. They teach in a supplementary school, produce a regular Caribbean Environment watch magazine, organise community, local and cultural events and give unstinting mentoring support to friends and colleagues. This month you are likely to see them at poetry and reading events ready to leaflet you in regards to Bogle’s two new publications out this month . A first poetry collection, My Grandmother Sings to me by Maureen Roberts (teacher, author and creative writing tutor) and the children’s book Making time to Chat a Rhyme by Lennox Carty.