'Completed in June 1990, it depicts a history of black culture blending figures such as Malcolm X with representatives from Reading’s black community. One of these figures is Terrance ‘Jeff’ Allamby, a campaigner who lobbied for the club to open who is pictured holding a banner reading “A Luta Continua”, Portugese for “the struggle continues”.
Mr Allamby was killed in a flat in Morris Court, Newtown, on Sunday, September 29, 1996, aged 43.
Now his children, spurred on by eldest son Nathan Brookes, want to secure the depiction of their father before the mural is gone forever.
Father-of-four Mr Brookes of Amersham Road, Caversham, who has two brothers and three sisters, admitted he “went off the rails” after his father was killed when he was just 18'.
Give Readings Black History Mural status to protect it !
BLM Reading started this petition to Reading Borough Council and 2 others This petition seeks to help get the Reading Black History Mural listed status. From 1990, the mural has held much cultural significance for Reading. The mural features key figures in black history, such as Harriet Tubman, Olaudah Equiano, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Toussaint Louverture.
The mural painted on the side of the former central club building is now old enough to have listed status. In 2017, the mural was put under threat when Reading Council sold the building to private developer Redline.
In response, the Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee has since inquired for the mural to be listed. Historic England has said that they will consider it.
There is a private council meeting on September 28th that will decide the future of the building along with the mural. Prior to the meeting, there has been no information made available to the public.
We are deeply concerned that the preservation of our mural may be at risk. We request that the mural be listed as soon as possible to give it maximum protection from any possible development on the site.
This petition is for the Reading community and all individuals that wish to join us in campaigning for the mural to receive listed status.
If anyone wishes to get in touch, our email is: Rdgblm@gmail.com
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