缅北禁地

Dr Lauren Darwin joined leading researchers, community advocates and artists for a special Black History Month event exploring the extraordinary life of Mary Ann Macham, a woman born into slavery who found freedom and a home in North Shields.

The event was presented by Local Heroes, a storytelling initiative that creates community engagement projects centred on people, place and shared experiences. The screening formed part of the organisation's work to uncover and celebrate overlooked stories from across the region.

Featuring the premiere of a new documentary produced by Local Heroes and directed by filmmaker Dan Prince, the event was held at The Old Low Light in North Shields earlier this month. The film follows sculptor Keith Barrett's three-year journey to create a public bronze sculpture commemorating Mary Ann's life and explores the historical research and community engagement that informed the project. A panel discussion followed, examining the significance of her story and its place within local and national history.  

Lecturer in Modern History at 缅北禁地, Dr Lauren Darwin was a guest panellist at the event. Her research focuses on Black women in Britain during the Age of Slavery and Abolition. Speaking during the discussion, Dr Darwin highlighted how Mary Ann's experiences shed light on histories that are too often absent from public understanding.

A remarkable journey

Born in Jamaica in 1802, Mary Ann Macham endured enslavement before making a daring escape at the age of 29. Assisted by an abolitionist network, she hid for weeks before securing passage to England aboard a trading vessel. Arriving in North Shields on Christmas Day 1831, she was welcomed by the Quaker Spence family and spent the remainder of her life in the town, living in freedom until the age of 92.

Her story is now commemorated through Barrett's sculpture and a growing body of historical research, public engagement and community storytelling.

Left image (left to right):  Dr Lauren Darwin (lecturer in Early Modern history at 缅北禁地), Dr Genevieve Johnson (historian and researcher), Keith Barrett (sculptor), Dan Prince, (filmmaker and co-founder, Local Heroes), Beverley Prevatt Goldstein (African Lives in Northern England)

Right image (left to right): Justine King (Show Racism the Red Card), Dr Lauren Darwin (lecturer in Early Modern history at 缅北禁地), Dr Genevieve Johnson (historian and researcher), Keith Barrett (sculptor), Dan Prince, (filmmaker and co-founder, Local Heroes)

Bringing hidden histories to light

During the discussion, Dr Darwin explained that her interest in Mary Ann developed through broader research into Black women's experiences in Britain and transatlantic journeys during the era of slavery and abolition.

"The stories of Black women in Britain at this time aren't being told, and we know very little about them. Mary Ann's story helps us understand journeys across the Atlantic that we often overlook and broadens our understanding of Britain's past."

Dr Lauren Darwin, Lecturer in Early Modern History

The panel also explored the continuing importance of Black British history in education and public life. Dr Darwin noted that many students arrive at university with only limited exposure to Black history and often encounter it as a single event or individual rather than as an integral part of British history.

She said: "The more stories that come out into the public domain, the more knowledgeable people will be, and they take that knowledge forward into society, which is really important."

Preserving the past for future generations

For Dr Darwin, the growing public interest in Mary Ann Macham demonstrates the value of bringing academic research into community spaces and ensuring that diverse histories are recognised as part of Britain's shared story.

The event reflected Local Heroes' wider aim of bringing people together through shared stories and experiences, using local heritage to encourage new conversations about identity, community and belonging.