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30 March 2007

On Saturday 31 March, the Bishop of Kingston, the Rt Rev Dr Richard Cheetham, will join over 300 people of all ages from all over the Diocese of Southwark as they take to the water to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Act to Abolish the Slave Trade.

Organised by the Kingston Area’s Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committee, the “Waters of Redemption” boat trip will sail along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich pier. On board, local historian Steve Martin will talk about the people, places and events along the route that marked the slave trade, the Act and the final abolition of slavery.

This aim of this symbolic journey is to mark the Bicentenary; educate people about the history and horror of slavery in its historic and modern forms; help heal old wounds and to work towards reconciliation. In addition, those present will give thanks for the growth of the Caribbean, its people and culture.

On arrival at Greenwich, the group will be met by the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Harry Singh and the Rev. Chris Moody, Vicar of St Alfege, Greenwich. There will be a service in St Alfege’s Church at around 2.30pm, lasting for about half an hour, before the return journey to Westminster.
 

ENDS

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