Amazing Places

Church Of St Mary, Church Close, Bristol. Upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*
 English Heritage today warmly welcomed Government approval for its bid to list four historic sites and upgrade six others that tell the story of abolition and the transatlantic slave trade. The new listings and upgrades are the result of an English Heritage project to accurately reflect the importance of sites such as the tomb of John Newton in Olney, Milton Keynes: now listed at Grade II to record the story of the former slave-trader and reformed anti-slavery campaigner who wrote Amazing Grace.

The formal descriptions of 15 further sites were changed to make note of previously un-catalogued important historic connections to the slave trade and great abolitionists. The other three new listings, all at Grade II, are handsome Georgian and Victorian tombs that tell us about an historic black presence in this country, commemorating: Joanna Vassa, daughter of Olaudah Equiano, England's most important black abolitionist; Gambian former slave George Edward Doney in Watford; and Abyssinian former slave, Rasselas Belfield in Windemere.  The upgrades include statues of abolitionists William Wilberforce and Joseph Pease, the first Quaker Member of Parliament. 

Peter Beacham, Heritage Protection Director for English Heritage, said: ”We are delighted that English Heritage could help in documenting forever some of the extraordinary and moving stories that might not otherwise be recorded in history. Listing is not just about protecting special buildings, it can help us acknowledge and understand our shared history. 

“We are very grateful to the members of the public and independent researchers that brought our attention to these new sites. English Heritage has been working on a Heritage Protection Bill that, when passed, will allow us to give the public a greater role in helping us to reflect everyone’s history when recording new heritage. ”

This batch of listings is the second part of an English Heritage project that resulted, in December 2007, in four new listings, two upgrades and 12 ammended list descriptions for places with connections to abolition and the transatlantic slave trade.

Events

Free In Focus Talks - International Day of Commemoration of the Slave Trade and Abolition

Olaudah Equiano portrait on book frontispiece © National Portrait Gallery, London On Saturday, 23rd August, 2008, 11.30am – 4pm – to mark the International Day of Commemoration of the Slave Trade and Abolition, there will be free “in focus” talks led by staff, lasting 20 minutes,  on the story of Dido Bell and Lord Mansfield at Kenwood House, Hampstead.

Equiano's London
 
Tuesday, 28th October 2008, 2 - 4pm – Equiano’s London.  Join English Heritage for a walking tour exploring the life and work of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano.  Led by Dr Susan Skedd, one of English Heritage’s Blue Plaques historians. This guided walk will trace the streets in London’s West End where Equiano lived while he was campaigning against slavery and the slave trade in the late 18th century.  2-4pm, free but booking essential.  Call 0870 333 1183.