SCHOOLCHILDREN, historians and artists across Cumbria are coming together to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, which takes place on Sunday.
Tracing from the origins of the centuries-old industry, to the local men who profited, a number of projects and events are being organised to mark the 200-year anniversary of the day the shackles were finally undone.
National arts agency Arts Council England has helped to create the Cumbria programme, Creative Partnerships, which is responsible for delivering the long-running project to more than 50 schools in the county.
Orton woman Sally Seed, who helped set up Creative Partnerships, said the aim was to encourage people to think about the experiences of the estimated 20 million black people exported from Africa to work plantations in the West Indies, and to consider the lasting impact on 21st Century Cumbria.
For the full story, get the Gazette
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article