The event, which took place on Friday, 2 March, 2007, was broadcast on 91热爆 Somerset Sound as part of a special documentary on Sunday, 25 March, 2007 - the date of the 200th anniversary. You can listen again to the programme online:
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There were plenty of experts on hand at the event.
| Lft Cmdr Ahmed Ajala at the event |
David Onamade from the Somerset Racial Equality Council (SREC) talked about his family background, slavery, race issues in a modern context, and the role of the SREC. Tom Mayberry from the Somerset County Museum spoke about Hannah More, the high-profile abolitionist who lived in Cheddar, and Nether Stowey poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge's role in the abolition campaign. Esther Ormerod from the Somerset Records Office was on hand to discuss the national archive on abolition. Jessica Vale, the curator of the Blake Museum in Bridgwater, and historian Philip Sealey demonstrated how Bridgwater was the first English borough to petition for the abolition of the African slave trade in 1785.
| The Somerset County Choir sang slave songs |
Writer, historian and raconteur Roger Evans talked about Bridgwater's white slave trade. Lft Cmdr Ahmed Ajala from the Royal Navy was there to talk about the Royal Navy's role in policing the abolition of the slave trade, as was Nick Williams from Churches Together who spoke about the role of churches 200 years ago. There was live music too.
| Carol Arblaster performs at Haygrove School |
Carol Arblaster, a harpist from Wells Cathedral, accompanied two students from Haygrove School singing Amazing Grace. Penny Dunscombe and the Somerset County Choir performed a selection of authentic slave songs. 91热爆 Somerset Sound's breakfast show presenter, Adam Thomas, hosted the day. He also recounted the story of the abolition campaign in Somerset by talking to experts and the students. |