Plaque in honour of musician unveiled for Black History Month in Eastbourne
Peoples Eastbourne unveiled a plaque in honour of a black musician to commemorate his performances in the town.
The event was in the Winter Garden on Sunday, October 25, and was the final one Peoples Eastbourne had organised for Black History Month.
The plaque commemorates Paul Robeson, a bass and baritone singer who had nine performances at the Floral Hall in the Winter Garden between late 1920 and1939. A spokesperson for Peoples Eastbourne said: “He was much loved by the people of Eastbourne.
"There were many rave reviews in the local papers reporting on: his magnificent voice, the packed standing room audiences of 2000, and the queues of disappointed fans left outside.
“Fans stood outside long after the performance had begun, hoping to hear Robeson's voice wafting, but also to perhaps to catch a glimpse of the man.
“Robeson was not just a singer. No, he was greatest civil rights spokesperson and defender of the working-class of his time.”
To commemorate the event there were bass-baritone performances from Tayo Aluko accompanied by pianist Catherine Cowan and various speeches including Ros Martin a creative multimedia artist from Bristol and Russ Chandler, author and musician.
Carol Mills, who organised the event added: “It's been a long time coming and a frustrating back and forth struggle of a campaign, but we couldn't be more pleased with Sunday's commemoration. At long last Eastbourne has embraced it's most spectacular Radical Black History in it's recognition of the greatest Artist Activist of his day who fought so courageously for a better world for all".
The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Margaret Bannister, Councillor Jenny Williams BEM and Lord Ralph Lucas showed support at the event.
Cllr Williams, who has been a ‘long-time supporter of the campaign’, said: “Paul Robeson’s story is part of Eastbourne’s shared history and it is fitting that it is now marked in the Winter Gardens where he sang to packed houses throughout the 1930’s, making his extraordinary story and his links to Eastbourne visible for everyone who walks through its doors”
A Platform Films documentary of the event has been commissioned by Peoples Eastbourne. The pilot will be premiered at the 11th Crossing The Screen Eastbourne International Film Festival in May 2027.