England Our England

A vibrant social history told through the personal stories and photographs of black and Asian pioneers.

Through a series of original interviews, specially commissioned photography and fascinating archive material, England Our England tells the personal stories of the black and Asian pioneers who crossed the waters to make Britain their home. Rich portraits and moving personal accounts show how they dealt bravely with the shock of rejection and cold weather, the difficulties of finding work and making connections with the British, but also how their achievements ultimately transcended both their own expectations and those of the country in which they came to live, creating the multicultural society that we know today and a rich legacy for future generations. The book includes interviews with Russell Henderson, co-founder of the Notting Hill Carnival, Yvonne Bailey-Smith, mother of novelist Zadie Smith, playwright Mustapha Matura, film director Horace Ové and Deloris Smith, mother of singer Beverley Knight.