Glen Munro

1 week ago | jamaica-gleaner.com | Glen Munro

A Jamaican lecturer in black music research has received special honours from a leading creative awards organisation in the United Kingdom. Dr Mykaell Riley, director for the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU) at Westminster University, received the prestigious fellowship, from the Rockschool RSL, in recognition of his contributions to music education and the creative industries, since joining Westminster in 1994.

2 weeks ago | jamaica-gleaner.com | Glen Munro

LONDON: An exhibition featuring the unique work of a Jamaica-born photographer has been launched, in the north of England. Frontline 1984/1985 is the début exhibition of Victor Wedderburn, highlighting over 100 colour images. The display documents the lives of Bradford’s African-Caribbean communities 40 years ago. The inaugural exhibition provides a glimpse into the work of the self-taught artist, revealing images never previously seen by art lovers.

2 months ago | jamaica-gleaner.com | Glen Munro

LONDON: A pioneering broadcaster, playwright and poet has been honoured in London with The English Heritage blue plaque, to commemorate her achievements. Una Marson was the first black woman to become a programme producer at the BBC, and female playwright to perform on the London stage. Howard Spencer, senior historian at English Heritage, said: “Una Marson was a true pioneer, breaking barriers, making an important wartime contribution, and forging new paths for black women in Britain and beyond.

2 months ago | jamaica-gleaner.com | Glen Munro

The first Jamaican to settle in England’s north-western city of Bolton during the 1960s has lost her battle to live. Ralmeta Gayle died of heart failure, age 92, on February 12, 2025. The mother of three sons also had an 18-month battle with cancer. The charismatic Jamaican, who would become the first to experience many aspects of life in Bolton, arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) during 1958, when she was 26 years old.

Mar 1, 2025 | jamaica-gleaner.com | Glen Munro

LONDON: A petition to support a community activist from Jamaica, who has been banned from feeding the homeless for seven years, has gone viral. Ringo Vision has been feeding the destitute in Croydon, south London, from a mobile soup kitchen, patterned on the handcarts used in rural Jamaica. As a result of Vision’s feeding rounds, which started in January 2024, 13,000 nutritious meals have been cooked from recipes learnt from his grandparents while being raised in Jamaica.