The name of slave trader Edward Colston will be removed from the concert hall run by the Bristol Music Trust when it re-opens in 2020
Years of campaigning have finally made a difference following a unanimous vote of the Bristol Music Trust just before Easter to rename the Colston Hall .
BMS Chief Executive Louise Mitchell made the announcement shortly after 11am today saying ” We don’t want an association with slave trader Edward Colston” she also said that the name was “toxic” and “The name Colston does not reflect the trust’s values as a progressive, forward thinking and open arts organisation” The hall is due to close next year for extensive refurbishing and will re-open in 2020 with a new name yet to be announced. She added after being questioned by BCfm’s news team that “She was ready for a backlash but was confident they had made the right decision”
CEO of BCfm Pat Hart who was present at the announcement said “Ths is a major milstone for our city after so many years of campaigning for this change. Freedom fighter and civil Rights activist Dr Paul Stephenson who was present at the announcement was ridiculed by many including the Bristol Post when he called for the Colston statue to be removed and the hall to have it’s name changed many years ago. Our very own One Love Breakfast alongside more recently the Countering Colston group have continued the fight and we are pleased that the right decision has been made” He also added “I was part of the group that helped to transfer the hall from the council to the Bristol Music Trust and also helped to write the organisations mission statement, I know the former Cultural Change Manager Paul Barnett will be very happy and I thank Marti Burgess and all of those who have helped to facilitate this change”
Bcfm broadcaster Ivan Jackson also recently wrote an artice about the name change in Bristol 247 which went national and again ignited the debate that has eventually led to this decision.
Here at BCfm Radio we are pleased that our diverse city finally has a concert venue that will be the pride of the entire city, a city that boasts Europe’s first directly elected mayor of Afrikan Caribbean descent and one of the most diverse and representative councils in Bristol’s history.
