THE GAMBIA (1816-1830) By Gwenneth Drabble

Talk  |  Seated

GWENNETH DRABBLE: studied Physical Natural Sciences and Social Anthropology at Cambridge University. She has taught English and Science in England and Singapore, and lectured in Teaching English at a university in Malaysia. She worked as a freelance editor and proof-reader for nearly twenty years, and wrote the book Blacksmiths and Missionaries, based on her family heritage, to ease herself into retirement. Gwynneth now lives in the Tamar Valley, and her hobbies include reading, writing, sewing, walking and playing musical instruments. The following talk is based on her book.

TALK: This talk focuses on slavery, the anti-slavery movement as linked to the Gambia between 1816 and 1830. It discusses why the British leased the land on the River Gambia to resettle captives rescued from slave ships. It asks why the colonial authorities asked for missionaries to help, and why so few were prepared to go there. It tells the stories of some of the brave women and men missionaries who served there.