Moyse’s Hall Museum will mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire and the role which Bury St Edmunds resident Thomas Clarkson played in it at a special event taking place on Saturday 6 October.
In 1806, Thomas Clarkson moved to St Mary’s Square. From this base he helped to expose the horrors of the slave trade through dangerous fact-finding missions in the slave ports of Bristol and Liverpool. The event at Moyse’s Hall will see his life recalled by historian and storyteller Maureen James, who will be taking on the role of his wife Catherine and describing the role her husband and his brother John played in world history.
The sessions will be held at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Visitors will also be able to see a digital copy of the petition which Bury residents presented to Thomas Clarkson in recognition of his outstanding work in trying to make sure slavery was abolished. This document is signed by many local people and will be of particular interest to local and family historians.
This day is part of a programme to highlight the role of Thomas Clarkson in the anti-slavery movement. It includes interactive school sessions where learning is supported by film, art, objects and documents. These will take place at Stradbroke Business and Enterprise College, Eye on 4 October and King Edward VI CEVC Upper School on 5 October.
ENDS
ISSUED BY: PETER JONES, HERITAGE OFFICER, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL TEL: 01284 729713 EMAIL: pjones@stedsbc.gov.uk
