May 2019 – April 2020 

Launching in May 2019, we’re pleased to announce ‘When We Worked at Raleigh’, a project led by Nottingham Black Archive and Primary that will document the experiences of members of the Windrush generation and their descendants who worked for Raleigh Industries between 1950s–1980s. Over the coming months, Nottingham Black Archive will collect oral histories and historical material – documenting arrival, day-to-day experiences, and contributions to challenging racism and increasing equality in the workplace in one of Nottingham’s most famous industries. Working with artists and sound designers we will produce a series of podcasts, artworks and a mobile exhibition to share these stories.

‘When We Worked At Raleigh’ seeks to uncover the histories of African Caribbean workers at Raleigh Industries. Previously based in the Howitt Building on Lenton Boulevard, Raleigh manufactured bicycles in the mid-Twentieth Century that were distributed internationally – one of the main exportation sites being Jamaica. At one point almost every African Caribbean household in the city had at least one member of the family employed by Raleigh.  Whilst many cities celebrate their historic buildings and industries, the contribution of minority groups – their day to day lived experiences, the challenges they faced, and their contributions to creating more equality in the workplace – are often overlooked. Recognising, commemorating and learning from this contribution feels essential in contemporary Britain, where members of this community have been hit by the Windrush Scandal, and both established and new communities are affected by the ‘hostile environment’.

Did you work at Raleigh between the 1950s–1980s?

Nottingham Black Archive are documenting stories of African and Caribbean employees. If you would like to share your experiences please contact moc.liamg@evihcrakcalbmahgnitton

This project is kindly supported by the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, and is part of the Making Place programme at Primary.