Erdington Arts Forum: October 2007

Some brief thoughts on Wilberforce Day held at Rookery House, Erdington, Saturday October 20th 2007.

God did indeed smile on us last Saturday when a bright chilly morning slowly turned into warm autumn sunshine. Despite the dilapidation of the house, one can still feel its dignity and indeed charm as the warmth of past years and life greets the visitor upon entering the hallway. Even if there is bare brickwork and hazard tape in the corridor by the former ballroom the feeling of, “This was a happy house” is almost certain.

So, we celebrated the first ever 'William Wilberforce Day' at the house which had taken weeks to plan and prepare. The doors opened at 11.00 and there was a feeling of anxiety when by 11.30 only a couple of people had come to the day. However, by midday the numbers swelled and around 300 people enjoyed the day.

There was an eclectic mix of activities; the children enjoyed Ev's African mask making workshop whilst adults pursued the informative exhibition on Wilberforce and his friends diligently created by Simon and Andy, and various arts and crafts as well as chatting to members of the Rookery House Trust.

The day was officially opened by Bishop Joe Aldred who spoke on the abolition of the slave trade and Phil Mist encouraged the audience to join the Trust and Jim and Mike sang a blues version of 'Amazing Grace.' However, probably the highlight of the day was the wonderful tour of the grounds and house where guests met Barbara Spooner who was born and brought up in the house and later married William Wilberforce, Wilber himself as well as John Newton who penned the famous hymn, 'Amazing Grace' and Equiano, a former slave who joined the abolition movement.

There were some magical, memorable moments especially when the audience could see both Wilber and Barbara walk down the tree lined path towards them and later being served cake by Barbara in the courtyard! It was if we had all genuinely been taken back in time and caught a privileged glimpse of those that have now gone before us. Then there was Equiano demonstrating with the use of a small wardrobe the space a slave had to endure for the harsh atlantic crossing. And let us not forget John Newton kneeling on the main stairs, where usually the sound of office workers feet can be heard was replaced by the opening lines of 'Amazing Grace' and John's heartfelt confession of being part of that hideous trade.

On a lighter note there was a chance to learn regency dancing with Cathy in her empire dress, which quite a lot of people did and it was wonderful to see the large Georgian room full of dance and dancers, just as it would have been all those years ago.

To finish there was Ozzie's Caribbean food and tradition tea and sandwiches to be sampled in the courtyard café and business flowed throughout the day!

It was a successful and enjoyable day and I would like to end with a suggestion. Birmingham celebrated Trafalgar Day on the Sunday. Could we not have a Wilberforce Day? I feel slightly uncomfortable that we celebrate and constantly remember a violent battle, albeit a victory, with what are now our European friends and cousins and perhaps tend to forget Wilberforce and his wife, Barbara who were so instrumental in ending a shameful, pernicious practice and saved so many innocent lives from such evil.

Let's have a William Wilberforce Day every year!

Patrick B Hayes.

(See also photographs below)