Given recent articles and exchanges on Brent heritage I thought readers would be interested in these questions and answers to be heard at tonight's Fill Council Meeting:
Question from F. Lee to Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (Cabinet Member for
Customers, Communities and Culture)
In August of 2020 the Mayor of London launched the initiative for Diversity in the Public Realm to review statues street names and landmarks in London, to reflect its diversity.
Given that Gladstone Park was identified as such for a review and given the obvious link to Leopold II with a Primary School in Harlesden, why has there been no effective council led public consultation in relation to the issue, in keeping with the Mayor's stated initiative?
Councillor’s response:
In 2020 the council undertook a review of the name of the park as part of the Mayor of London’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm. This involved a review of statues, street names and landmarks in London including the possibility of a name change for Gladstone Park, and community engagement was part of this process.
The review was completed in in August 2021, and the decision taken by the Black Community Action Plan Steering Group was not to rename the park, but instead to develop a public art commission in partnership with the community to both acknowledge the Gladstone family’s role in the slave trade, whilst celebrating the considerable contribution and influence of African heritage to the cultural landscape of Brent. This is in line with heritage sector best practice to retain and not obscure the significant associations of a place, and where the significance of a place is not readily apparent, it should be explained by interpretation.
Interpretation should enhance understanding and enjoyment, and be culturally appropriate, which is what we have strived to do with the heritage trail installed in the park.
In reference to Leopold School, there is no direct evidence to suggest the school is named after King Leopold II of Belgium. The school was originally named in 1874, with the high likelihood that it took its name from Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Leopold (1853-1884), who was known for his interest in education. Unable to pursue a military career because of his illness (haemophilia), he instead became a patron of the arts and literature. The school has worked with pupils to explore the history of the school and produced history boards documenting its historic timeline. In doing so, no further origins of the school’s name were found in the archives.
Question from N. Scott to Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (Cabinet Member
for Customers, Communities and Culture)
In light of recent proposals made to the Council to change the name of Gladstone Park, due to the Gladstone family’s abhorrent role in African / Caribbean slavery, could you please let me know who and when it was decided to hold a Windrush Tea Party in that particular park from 12-4pm on 24th June?
With regards to the Mayor of London’s stated initiative, I am particularly concerned that the Council have made no meaningful attempt to address concerns of local residents and initiate a wider public consultation in relation to ethical name changes regarding Gladstone Park and two Leopold educational establishments - named after families who exploited, traded, tortured and profiteered from slavery.
Councillor’s response:
The council has a duty to mark Windrush Day – and does so each year. This year’s Windrush 75 celebrations follow the land art – known as The Anchor, The Drum, The Ship – which opened in the park in October 2022, and was curated by the Brent artist Linett Kamala. The Windrush Tea Party, also curated by Linett Kamala is being held close by to the heritage trail which has been installed in the park to highlight untold histories, and to recognise and celebrate the hugely valued contribution made to Brent by Black African Heritage residents and to further the conversations that the art exhibition and accompanying heritage trail began. The Brent Windrush 75 community tea party’s location reflects the council’s commitment to continue the conversation with communities about the history of Gladstone Park.
With regards to Gladstone Park, in 2020 the council undertook a review of the name of the park as part of the Mayor of London’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm. This involved a review of statues, street names and landmarksin London included the possibility of a name change for Gladstone Park.
Engagement with the community was part of this process, which was completed in August 2021. The decision was not to rename the park but instead to develop a public art commission in partnership with the community to both acknowledge the Gladstone family’s link to the enslavement of Africans, whilst celebrating the huge contribution and influence of African heritage to the cultural landscape of Brent.
This space in the park, including The Anchor, The Drum, The Ship land art and the history trail, are now a space for learning, reflection, healing, gathering and celebrating.
