Thursday 16 March 2023, 10.00 a.m.–3.30 p.m.
at Cedars Hall, Wells & online
A conference bringing people together from Britain and the Caribbean to explore how the City of Wells is connected to transatlantic slavery.
This conference is open to sixth form students, professionals, and members of the public.
Book Tickets
A number of institutions and individuals from the City of Wells have come together to research the history of connections between Wells, the transatlantic slave-trade and British slavery in the Caribbean.
The institutions involved so far are Wells Cathedral, Wells Cathedral School, Wells & Mendip Museum, St. Cuthbert’s parish church, The Bishop’s Palace, City Archives, Somerset African Caribbean Network, local historians and interested individuals.
Each institution is conducting research into connections relevant to them, and a local historian is also working with historians from the Caribbean to understand how the British slave-trade and slavery is connected to Wells, the conditions enslaved people endured on forced-labour plantations, and the continuing legacies of British slavery in our present. Professor James Clark of the University of Exeter and Rob Mitchell of the Black Families Education Support Group are acting as mentors for the group as well as undertaking aspects of research. To learn more about Wells Cathedral and Transatlantic Slavery, click here.
The Wells and Transatlantic Slavery Conference 2023 is one of many ways the research is being made accessible to a wider audience. There will also be interpretation at particular sites of interest (and a map to locate these) as well as a dedicated website to house the citywide research.
The conference includes a full day of talks, workshops and creative responses, including:
Re-thinking African enslavement
Reverend Dr Carlton Turner, Anglican Contextual Theologian, The Queens Foundation
The role of Cathedral Canons and Bishops in Wells
Professor James Clark, Tommy Maddinson and Debbie Manners, Exeter University
Slavery derived wealth in Wells — where did the money go?
Stephanie Mathivet, Author
The legacy of slavery in Antigua and the reparations movement (pre-recorded)
Joy Lawrence OH, Antiguan Historian, Author, and Poet
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho (pre-recorded)
Paterson Joseph, Actor and Author
Decolonising Memory
Cleo Lake-Ayiih, Former Lord Mayor of Bristol and Research Associate, Bristol University
Adults: £14.60*; Online access only: FREE
Book Tickets
Register online for FREE recorded talks after the event.
Book Tickets
Sixth Form Students: £7.30*; Teachers: FREE* (with students)
Pleaste note: These bookings cannot be made via the Eventbrite booking page.
For school group bookings and information, please email legaciesofslavery@wellscathedral.org.uk
*includes refreshments and buffet lunch