Hackney unveiled a newly-refurbished memorial dedicated to the 14 young black lives lost in the New Cross Fire. This marks 43 years on from the tragedy.
The Older Generation Younger Generation (OGYG) organisation with the support of Hackney Council and the New Cross Fire Foundation (NCFF) led this initiative. It involves the refurbishment of Hackney Downs Park’s ‘New Cross Fire Tribute Avenue’.
The 1981 tragedy took the lives of 13 young black people. This was after a fire broke out at a birthday party in New Cross. There was a further death by suicide a few years later, bringing the victim count to 14.
Since 1997 there has been a memorial space in the park. This was after the father of one of the victims, Sir Charles Collins, planted 14 trees in memory of those killed.
The commemorative event was held on the 43rd anniversary of the historic Black People’s Day of Action. This day saw thousands of people from all over the UK marching in solidarity with the victims of the New Cross Fire and their families.
Survivors of the fire, relatives of those killed and local councillors and residents attended it.
Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Wooley, attended. She cut a ribbon to mark the unveiling of new memorial benches and a commemorative plaque.
New benches were installed in ‘The New Cross Fire Avenue’ – an area of Hackney Downs Park dedicated to those lost in the fire.
‘We have to remember and never forget’
Gary Collins, son of Sir Collins and chairman of the OGYC and the NCFF, was an organiser.
He says “It created social change in the whole of the UK… it affected so many people on a national basis. This is why we have to remember and never forget. Institutions like to do that with our history, push it under the carpet all the time, but it’s not going to happen.”
No official cause of the fire has ever been identified, though many believe that it was a racially-charged arson attack.
Two separate inquests have taken place in relation to the event, with both returning open verdicts.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineNew Cross Fire memorial marks 43 year anniversary
Short HeadlineFire memorial marks 43 year anniversary
StandfirstRefurbished memorial benches and new signage installed in Hackney Downs Park in tribute to the victims of the 1981 fire
Hackney unveiled a newly-refurbished memorial dedicated to the 14 young black lives lost in the New Cross Fire. This marks 43 years on from the tragedy.
The Older Generation Younger Generation (OGYG) organisation with the support of Hackney Council and the New Cross Fire Foundation (NCFF) led this initiative. It involves the refurbishment of Hackney Downs Park’s ‘New Cross Fire Tribute Avenue’.
The 1981 tragedy took the lives of 13 young black people. This was after a fire broke out at a birthday party in New Cross. There was a further death by suicide a few years later, bringing the victim count to 14.
Since 1997 there has been a memorial space in the park. This was after the father of one of the victims, Sir Charles Collins, planted 14 trees in memory of those killed.
The commemorative event was held on the 43rd anniversary of the historic Black People’s Day of Action. This day saw thousands of people from all over the UK marching in solidarity with the victims of the New Cross Fire and their families.
Survivors of the fire, relatives of those killed and local councillors and residents attended it.
Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Wooley, attended. She cut a ribbon to mark the unveiling of new memorial benches and a commemorative plaque.
New benches were installed in ‘The New Cross Fire Avenue’ – an area of Hackney Downs Park dedicated to those lost in the fire.
‘We have to remember and never forget’
Gary Collins, son of Sir Collins and chairman of the OGYC and the NCFF, was an organiser.
He says “It created social change in the whole of the UK… it affected so many people on a national basis. This is why we have to remember and never forget. Institutions like to do that with our history, push it under the carpet all the time, but it’s not going to happen.”
No official cause of the fire has ever been identified, though many believe that it was a racially-charged arson attack.
Two separate inquests have taken place in relation to the event, with both returning open verdicts.
