Black and Minority Ethnic Reminiscence Session at Evelyn Glennie Court - February 2009

By Lu Pearson

These photographs were taken during a reminiscence session at Evelyn Glennie Court with the BME group. 

Mohammed and Effat from Iran showed the group photographs of their wedding. They also described New Year, which is celebrated on March 21st by the giving of money. Another traditional custom is the preparation of a table with offerings, this includes seven types of fruit beginning with the letter S.

Taira who is from Guyana spoke of her family whom she visited every two weeks.  Her mother died after 50 years of marriage, her sisters died aged 51 and 36.  Her happiest memory was the passing of her husband which enabled her emigrate to England and re-marry.  Taira stated if it wasn't for the British we couldn't live like this.

Ted, Taira's partner from the UK explained all his photographs had been destroyed by a fire.  His favourite had been of him and his best friend on top of a haystack, every summer they had helped with the harvest.

Many shared their memories of visiting studios to be photographed, as cameras were very expensive to own.