City centre tour highlights Exeter’s rich multi-cultural history
Published: 28 October 2020
Councillors have taken part in a two-hour guided tour of the city to learn more about Exeter’s rich multicultural history.
Three members of the Council’s Executive took part in the tour, led by Dr Ghee Bowman of the University of Exeter. It started at Cathedral Green and meandered through the city's streets before ending at the Mosque.
Councillors learnt about the diversity of the people who came to Exeter and settled in the city, from Roman times until the present day.
Exeter is a city that some may assume has always been White Anglo-Saxon. But it has a rich and multi-cultural history from the Romans, through Saxon and Viking invaders, Medieval Jews, enslaved Africans, the 20th Century Windrush Generation and up to the present day.
Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Communities & Culture, said: “I would like to thank Dr Bowman for a very informative and enthralling tour.
“We were led through almost 2,000 years of Exeter's history. Vivid images of colourful and captivating episodes of this beautiful city's past were revealed to us, which helps to make sense of the present. I wish such a wonderful tour can be on offer to both Exeter residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for People, said: “I really enjoyed the tour and thought Dr Bowman's delivery was spot on - warm, enthusiastic, with lots of opportunity audience interactions. I learnt an enormous amount.”
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, added: “The tour was really informative, lifting the lid off the past to give a glimpse at some of Exeter’s diverse history. I feel it makes me a little better informed on some of the golden threads that make up the City's rich tapestry.”
Dr Bowman, pictured above, is aiming to develop some resources around the tour and train local BAME young people to lead and deliver parts of the tour to ensure its sustainability into the future.
For more information on the city’s multi-cultural history visit http://www.tellingourstoriesexeter.org.uk/