In this episode, we will be discussing the incredible contributions of Hallam Ifill, the leader of Rainbow Steel Band, one of the longest-running steel pan bands in the country, based in Hallam’s home town of Bath. Sadly, Hallam couldn’t be with us but we are delighted to be joined by Pauline Swaby-Wallace, manager of Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen Association (BEMSCA), and Shawn Sobers, associate Professor of Cultural Interdisciplinary Practice at the University of the West of England and trustee of Fairfield House, to discuss Hallam’s huge impact on the community in Bath. 

Hallam Ifill was nominated by the trustees of Fairfield House. Pauline Swaby writes: ‘Hallam is the oldest black person we know to have come to Bath in the early 1950s. He and his wife Ursuline built a community that many call home. He is the founding member of Rainbow Steel Band, the oldest in the UK, which is recognised worldwide.’

Fairfield House was the residence of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, during the five years he spent in exile. He donated it to the city of Bath in 1958 as a residence for the elderly in gratitude for the warm welcome he had received.

This episode is presented by Samenua Sesher and produced by Stella Sabin. It is a production for the Museum of Colour www.museumofcolour.org.uk

The music in this series is by Soweto Kinch.

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