Black heritage celebration launched today

The
Public and Comercial Services union (PSC) is urging London’s workers today to
shrug off the long hours culture, take a full lunch break and learn more about
the city’s long history of racial diversity.

The
civil service union is launching a free Whitehall walking tour today, 26
September, celebrating 500 years of the area’s black heritage.

The
tour, organised by the London and South East branch of PCS, will chart the
contribution of black Londoners, such as the author Ignatius Sancho and nurse
Mary Seacole, in the run-up to Black History month.

Lunchtime
walkers will also learn about the involvement of black Londoners in the Gordon
Riots at Trafalgar Square in 1780, the history of black Guardsmen, the
forgotten black beggars and more.

The
tour will also mark the launch of the PCS black staff into management course,
aimed at increasing diversity and representation across the civil service. 

More
walks are planned for the future.

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The
tour of Whitehall’s black heritage begins at noon at Westminster tube station
and ends at 2pm, Covent Garden piazza. It will be led by S.I Martin, black
historian and author.

By Quentin Reade