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Open Meeting: A celebration of Lewisham Way Youth & Community Centre
Wednesday April 20, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us to salute and celebrate the Centre’s vital role as part of Lewisham’s cultural heritage for the Borough of Culture 2022.
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- Young men in the Centre made a short film about street violence. Still from Lewisham Guns, 2007. Courtesy of YouTube / Freorganisation
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- Members arrive at the Centre, 138 Lewisham Way, 2015. Photo courtesy of Ubunto Living Social Networks (Lewisham)
The Centre provided support, training and activities for the local black community for all age groups during a time when the New Cross and Deptford areas were a notorious hotbed of National Front activities and racist arson attacks.
“Big sound system dances out the back … everything from black history to martial arts, but reggae was central… Places like this were safe spaces … And that was really powerful and important.” – Dr. Lez Henry
“An important part of my childhood. Regular Drama classes, and so much more. The community is at risk if you do not have a place to go to, and this centre has saved many lives.” – Angie Le Mar
Speakers:
- Les Back (author with William ‘Lez’ Henry of ‘Reggae Culture as Local Knowledge: Mapping the Beats on South East London Streets’).
- Past members, participants and volunteers at the Centre