“west Indian People Were Excluded From Almost Everywhere’ in London 1940’s Early 1950’s

           In 1950 my friend Mr S.L. Freeman and I decided we would do whatever we could to unite black people, and build a strong organisation.  We decided that because black people were afraid of politics we would form an organisation which would bring them together socially.  We invited the following people to form a committee my friend  Mr S. Freeman;  Mr E. Davidson;  Mr.W.F. Bayley;  Mr.S.J. Stacey;  Mr.L.Cousins;  Mr.B.Lindsey;  Mr.J. Pettigrew, my wife Margaret  Stennett and  myself Mr E.A. Stennett.  The committee consisted of two white people and the rest were black.

            This organisation was titled ’The Cosmopolitan Social Club’ .  The emblem of the club was a white hand shaking a black hand, and was created by my wife and myself.  The Commission  for Racial Equality  has since used this emblem symbolising unity and friendship between all races. 

Through this Association I worked amongst West Indians and Africans assisting them in all social problems.  For example locating employment through the Trade Unions, assisting new arrivals from the West Indies to find accommodation, aiding both West Indians and Africans when in trouble with the police.

            The Clubs temporary office was the home of my wife’s parents, 9 Mill Road, Merton, London, S.W.19.  The first meeting was held on the 24th November 1950, an Executive Committee was enacted and on that day I was elected the General Secretary.  There were many obstacles placed in the way of this organisations development.  It was very hard work travelling around week after week, sometimes with six inches of snow lying on the ground holding meetings and trying to boost the membership, it was a slow process.  At the same time we were trying to find venues to hold our dances and other entertainment, this proved difficult as in those days, West Indian people were excluded from almost everywhere.