Our Cultural Heritage Manager Christelle Pellecuer met Cherry Hartley over an afternoon tea with Tony Wilson, a long-time friend of Cherry. Read her special blog here:
It was an afternoon to remember as Cherry had so many stories to tell and what an incredibly inspiring woman she is! Cherry has led a life full of strength and resilience and at 87 years strong, she is still very active as Treasurer and member of the Malcolm X Elders group. Cherry arrived in England, from Jamaica, at the age of 27 years old and have been here for 60 years now. She is also an amazing dressmaker and as a fashion enthusiast, I was spoilt by stories of dressmaking but also by the colourful life she has led despite hardship at times. Cherry is truly inspiring and embodies the generation of elders who arrived in Britain from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1973 and who face many challenges but rise above it all.
Listen to an extract of my conversation with Cherry to find out a bit more about her own story:
You can also listen to her interview with Radio BBC Bristol from October 2014 HERE.