Über uns

Paul Robeson Commemoration at the Winter Garden, Eastbourne

Most people are surprised when told there is a connection of Paul Robeson with Eastbourne. But that's about to change. After many years of campaigning, Peoples Eastbourne has, at last, achieved success. We are delighted to announce we have approval from Trafalgar (who manage Eastbourne’s theatres) for a commemorative unveiling of a Paul Robeson plaque at the Winter Garden. This will be held at 3pm on 25th October, during Black History Month.

Paul Robeson performed regularly in the Floral Room at the Winter Garden from the late 1920s until 1939. With standing room audiences of 2000 and queues of disappointed fans left outside. With rave reviews in the local papers.

But as well as being a world performing bass baritone singer; an All-American football hero; an accomplished stage and film actor; an Ivy League trained lawyer; and a speaker of multiple languages; he was, of course, the greatest civil rights activist of his time! 

Everywhere he travelled he spoke out for civil rights and working people. He joined workers on strikes, he struck up a lifelong friendship with the poverty-stricken Welsh miners, after he’d heard them singing whilst on their hunger march to London. He visited International Brigaders on the front lines in the Spanish Civil War’s fight against fascism. 

His dedication to the fight against fascism led him to being targeted by the United States government under the McCarthyism regime of intense political repression and anti-communist paranoia during the late 1940s and 1950s.

The Winter Garden commemoration has been especially planned to take place during the Black History Month of October.  Peoples Eastbourne is also promoting a season of Black History Month events across the town, with many events being planned, hosted by community groups and businesses; including poetry, music, art, a quiz, talks, films, a ‘Love Robeson Songs’ evening, and more. The longer aim is for a BHM Annual Festival. A real celebration. 

The commemoration will be the first time that Eastbourne will have celebrated Black History in such a public and lasting way. It is a huge step forward for our town. Brighton and Hove have had decades doing this work. Eastbourne is, only now, about to get started.

The event will see:-  the unveiling of the plaque by Cllr Jenny Williams (Arts and Heritage Champion); Tayo Aluko will perform a mini-set from Call Mr Robeson; guest speakers (to be announced); poets; a Paul Robeson photo and memorabilia display; and display stands from community groups and businesses. The event ends with networking time with a complimentary drink and canapes.