After travelling from Jamaica to England for a better life, two St Ann’s residents have spoken out about the memories of their homeland and how they’ve rebuilt their lives in Nottingham. Both residents live in Tuntum Housing Association accommodation, Tuntum known for providing affordable housing for people on low incomes or who are vulnerable. Tuntum is the only Black, Ethnic, Minority housing association in the East Midlands.
In Nottingham, the housing association has properties in St Ann’s and New Basford. Set up in 1988, one resident has described the Tuntum accommodation as the “best place I’ve ever lived”.
Jamaican Independence Day is a public holiday widely celebrated throughout the Caribbean island. It is marked with official ceremonies, parades, folk music, dances, and festivals. And, in honour of residents of Jamaican heritage, Tuntum held a celebratory event marking the 60th anniversary of Jamaican independence in Nottingham.
The event was held at Lyn Gilzean Court, St Ann's Well Road, from 3pm– 9pm on Saturday, August 6. Tuntum residents and their families were invited to attend. With a DJ, food and guest speakers, dominos, card games, arts and crafts and more, the housing association has made it a priority to embrace the culture of their residents.
Monica Morris, also known as Marcia, came to England in 1990. Marcia has seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Marcia, 64 who has a passion for food, worked her way up in the food industry but admitted that when coming to the country it wasn’t easy.
In Radford, Marcia’s daughter runs the shop Hot & Spicy - many family members enjoy working at the restaurant. Marcia, who is from Spanish Town in Jamaica, said: “When I brought my children here [to England], it was rough in the end, I stepped up the ladder and I’m proud of all my children.”
Marcia, who loves food and cooking, explained that she got that passion from her mother. She said: “My mum in Jamaica used to sell food on the roadside cooking jerk chicken, jerk pork, a lot of things. Growing up in Jamaica, it was rough, sometimes I went to school barefooted, my mum had 10 of us.”
Marcia continued and told Nottinghamshire Live about what she misses about Jamaica: “I miss the food, the atmosphere, the jokes. In Jamaica, you never stop smiling. The people [in Jamaica] are full of love. Crime is still happening but I will always love the country.”
Every year, Marcia goes back to Jamaica as she still has many family members there. Marcia continued: “I love England, too. I have to big up the Queen.”
In terms of the importance of marking the 60th anniversary, Marcia explained she wanted to celebrate the occasion but that she feels if Jamaica was still part of the Commonwealth the country would potentially be better. Marcia said: “I think that if the Queen still ruled Jamaica, they’d have more rules and regulations. In Jamaica, there’s too much segregation and poverty. Jamaica could be a better place but I still love it, it is a blessed country.”
Speaking highly of the housing association where she lives. Marcia said: “I’ve lived in Tuntum for six years, it’s the best place I’ve ever lived and haven’t got any hassle. The staff are lovely, the tenants are lovely and I show them love back.”
Marcia enjoys cooking for the residents. Her best dishes are seafood. Having come to the country in 1962, Pitman Brown is a tutor in classical music and an author. Pitman, 77, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and has spent time living in parishes such as Clarendon and St Mary’s.
Speaking about what he misses most about Jamaica, Pitman told Nottinghamshire Live: “The food. I miss the mangos, turnips, guineps (a stone-bearing fruit) and Irish potatoes - I’ve never had an Irish potato in this country.”
Pitman was looking forward to celebrating Jamaican Independence, he enjoys the liveliness of it all. He said: “All I ever wanted out of life was entertainment, I’m into music and drama, I have no concepts of politics or religion.”
When Jamaica gained independence 60 years ago, Pitman was there amongst the celebrations. Without a ticket, he travelled by bus to an event when a police officer stopped him.
Pitman said: “The police officer asked if I had a ticket, I told him ‘no’ and he replied ‘well yuh nah go.’”
Pitman hung around as he watched the celebrations until, finally, he was let in without a ticket. Pitman continued, speaking about what surprised him most when he came to the UK.
He said: “I was surprised at how many English people were begging on the streets, there was a lot of poverty in St Ann’s, too. Coming to the UK has shown me that, in Jamaica, there's class prejudice but, in this country, it’s race.”
Pitman studied music at Clarendon College. He has fond memories of the late Eric Irons, Britain's first black magistrate who lived in Nottingham. Pitman said: “Eric Irons, he was a pillar [ of society]. Any problems and you would go to him.”
Richard Renwick, the CEO of Tuntum Housing Association, said: “Tuntum Housing Association has been operating in Nottingham city for over 30 years, developing and managing new homes, creating jobs in the community and contributing positively towards the economy of the city. Set up initially by members of Nottingham’s black community, it is part of our mission to contribute towards the cultural life of the city and this has included leading on the organisation of the Nottingham Carnival for over 22 years.
“It is therefore appropriate for us to support our sheltered housing residents who want to celebrate the 60th anniversary of independence for Jamaica. The residents of Nottingham who came originally from Jamaica did not just make a significant contribution towards the economic development of the city but also enhanced its cultural life. We are proud to be supporting our residents with celebrating Jamaica’s 60th anniversary.’’
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