The Colour of Love

The Colour of Love Celebrating Nottinghamshire's Mixed-race identity.

We've documented Nottingham's 1940s-1970s interracial relationships in Film, Photo Exhibition, Book & Transcripts, to underpin a race relations teaching pack.Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund The majority of The Colour of Love team are descendants of Caribbean Windrush and African people who embarked on relationships, marriage and the building of lives and families with Nottinghamshire l

ocals during 1940’s – 1970’s. Many of us meeting for the first time because of a desire to weave our narrative into Nottinghamshire’s emerging modern tapestry of Black History. This project celebrates the strength and resilience of these couples ,and above all the love they shared which blazed a trail for the future. The Colour of Love aims to empower the local community and descendants of these pioneers to learn more about this previously unexplored history, and to create an invaluable archive for future generations. By recording & documenting the hidden and untold until now stories of these couples we are leaving a legacy for future generations of theirs and Nottinghamshire’s diverse history. When we started this journey of discovery one of the first things that we uncovered and that surprised us is that Nottingham has ‘a higher-than-average mixed-race community than the country as a whole, with 6% of people being ethnically mixed, with 4% mixed white and black Caribbean.’ Subsequently making it more important to start to uncover and document these hidden stories, leading to further research about Nott’s industries and the availability of work; which we believe explains the reasons why the city that we grew up in attracted so many of the Windrush generation. There are many documented stories of the Windrush generation that educate us of them being invited here to help rebuild the Country after the war and those who came soon after that do not reflect the mixed-race relationship story, we are bridging that gap through sharing our research in community settings and to wider communities through our website. Our research and documentation has been possible through the support of volunteers from the community, local businesses, community and voluntary organisations and statutory providers and feedback from our events, activities, and funding 2017 -2020 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has enabled us to carry out this important work. We hope that like us; through our work you will see the love that has triumphed at a time when such relationships were viewed with open prejudice and racism at worst and muted tolerance at best. Take a look at this article written by Clare Bale for Leftlion really captures the essence of who we are…
https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2021/february/colour-of-love-project-nottingham/

06/05/2026

A powerful and intimate portrayal of Andrea Levy’s multi award-winning novel, adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson.

12/02/2026

Your opinion matters

14/02/2025
12/10/2024

Learn about a fascinating documentary on the history of the Royal Docks' multiracial docklands featuring commentary from The Mixed Museum's Director.

Looking forward to hearing Michelle's story. Tickets still available
10/07/2024

Looking forward to hearing Michelle's story. Tickets still available

It’s a proper trip down memory lane getting letters, documents, treasured items out of the attack to bring you my new show ‘Did i Mention I’m Adopted…?’ (18th July, 7.30pm Nottm Playhouse £5)

29/06/2024

Michelle allows us to share in her unique and moving story.

24/12/2023

We are supporting the NSPCC on this the longest night of the year, by lighting up our building green.

Their campaign is raising funds for Childline, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering a necessary lifeline for children who are experiencing abuse or neglect.

16/12/2023

A Colour of Love story from Kenya to the UK and back again

On 10th November 2023 one of our valued research volunteers, Ndinda Kimuyu's Dad John passed away at home in Kenya at th...
15/12/2023

On 10th November 2023 one of our valued research volunteers, Ndinda Kimuyu's Dad John passed away at home in Kenya at the ripe old age of 90, reunited with his wife Ruth. Ndinda travelled to Kenya to his funeral.

BBC have taken an interest in the story, the result of Ndinda's interview on her return from Kenya is airing today on BBC radio Nottingham and lunchtime BBC1 East Midlands Today.

Tune into BBC East Midlands today at 6.30pm to see the main interview with Jeremy Ball where Ndinda talks of her mum and dads relationship and marriage in Kenya in the 1950's at a time when mixed marriage was unheard of.

Ruth & John's fascinating beautiful story is documented with COL through Ndinda's recollections and collection of her mum's diaries, letters, tapes and artefacts.

Grateful to National Lottery Heritage Fund 2019 for helping us to to put Nottingham's mixed race history into the narrative. National Lottery Heritage Fund

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The Vine Community Centre Bobbersmill
Nottingham
NG75GZ

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