Wells Cathedral welcomes Jamaican High Commissioner for Black History Month

Last week, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom paid a special visit to Wells Cathedral.
His Excellency Alexander Williams visited the cathedral at the invitation of Somerset African Caribbean Network, as part of the county’s Black History Month celebrations.

The High Commissioner met with the cathedral’s Racial Justice Advisory Group to discuss their work on the Living Liberty project. Funded by The Church of England to develop education, inclusion and historical reflection, the project acknowledges historic links to transatlantic slavery, alongside a commitment to racial justice and inclusive history.

Speaking after the High Commissioner’s visit, Sharon Brien, a member of the diocesan Lament to Action Group, said, “Meeting His Excellency, the Jamaican High Commissioner, was an incredibly special moment for me. As a Black British woman, I felt an enormous sense of pride, excitement and connection to a history that is both deeply personal and part of our shared heritage.

“To have the opportunity to speak with him here in Wells was something I will always treasure. I also thought of my late sister, Jenni, and how excited she would have been. That made an already memorable occasion all the more meaningful.”

The High Commissioner’s visit also coincided with the 90th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie I living in exile at Fairfield House in Bath, in 1936. Selassie is known to have visited Wells Cathedral in 1938.

Wells Cathedral and Somerset African Caribbean Network are members of the Wells and Transatlantic Slavery initiative which aims to make research on historic links to transatlantic slavery history available through a dedicated website, a city trail, and schools programme.

Reflecting on the visit, The Revd Canon Megan Daffern, Chancellor of Wells Cathedral, said, “As we mark Black History Month, we are delighted to have had this opportunity to welcome His Excellency Alexander Williams, Jamaican High Commissioner, to Wells Cathedral during his visit to Somerset.

“Wells Cathedral is committed to discovering and celebrating Somerset’s inclusive history in our city and surrounding areas, so it was a privilege to be part of His Excellency’s travels.”