Museum of Making

We are co-producing the Museum of Making with an inspiring team of volunteers, each bringing their own unique set of skills, energy and ideas to the project. Today’s volunteer profile, in support of #VolunteersWeek, focuses on Kal, who drives projects for the Museum of Making forward, sharing his unparalleled passion for and knowledge of Derby’s history and its famous (and sometimes not-quite-famous-yet) residents.

How have you been Making the Museum of Making?

I have been involved with the This Is Normantonexhibition as well as contributing to others across Derby Museums. I have also made some laser etched wooden coasters with the help of Graeme Smith at the Silk Mill.

What inspired you to get involved?

I’m a Derby man. I love Derby and really enjoy engaging with my community and sharing stories about Derby and Derby folk.

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering?

Something that made me feel proud was being part of the This is Normanton exhibition and seeing my photo alongside my friend Dave Sudbury who wrote, in my opinion, the greatest folk song ever written ‘The King of Rome’. Dave and myself both attended the same school (Building).

I have also enjoyed sharing stories about the likes of Kevin Coyne, Alice Wheeldon and the King of Rome to people who were unaware of Derby’s great heritage and history.

Have you gained anything by becoming a volunteer co-producer on the project?

I’ve gained a lot of good contacts, who either work at the museum or volunteer there. I am now able to share my thoughts and ideas with them knowing that they will always listen and consider what I have to say.

What is the first thing you remember making as a child?

The first thing I remember making was little ponds in the garden. A huge hole would be dug out in the soil and then a carrier bag would then be placed inside the hole to cover all the sides. I would then fill it with water to make my own little underwater world filled with miniature figures and soda boats collected from cereal boxes. I would also add some plant life and continue to play with it until the water was no longer clear.

Share something unusual about yourself.

I designed the Sikh Poppy Khanda for the Royal British Legion. I am an author from Pear Tree, Derby. I write books about Derby.

If money/time were no object, what would you make?

A virtual reality augmented reality head piece that can be used to show how Derby used to look like at various times in it’s history as you walk around the old town and city.

If you are interested in volunteering to make the Museum of Making contact gemma@derbymuseums.org to find out more.

I was on BBC Asian Network Radio today discussing #MentalHealthAwareness and the impact of Anxiety in everyday life.

Do we take anxiety seriously enough? Musician Ariana Grande has opened up in a Vogue Magazine article about her history with the condition and says it’s “very real”. After that Imam Qasim and former Apprentice star Uzma Yakoob talk about the passing of Philanthropist Ali Benat. He captured the hearts of thousands of people around the world after setting up a charity called ‘Muslims Around The World Project’ when he was diagnosed with cancer. And this week’s Big Debate’s Little Debate comes from Sandi Shokar. She contacted us and said she wants to talk about the lack of stem cell donors in BAME communities.

LISTEN

Whooverville X!

We are pleased to confirm that our friend local author Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa will be at Whooverville 10. Kal is a Whooverville regular and a long-time supporter of our event.

During the day he will be at the Whoovers stall selling and signing copies of his book My Father and the Lost Legend of Pear Tree – Part One & Two, which discusses his father’s battle with mental illness, culminating in his suicide.

Being a fan, the book also contains references to Doctor Who.

The following email was sent to me by a family friend about 6 years after my father passed away. I’ve kept it all these years hoping that one day I might be able to share it.

As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week I have decided that this week is the perfect opportunity to share it amongst not only my own Punjabi community, but the wider public too.

At the time, this email really did add to my story. As much of what is expressed was also touched upon in ‘My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree’. Obviously I’ve had to redact some information from the original email to exclude names and other personal information.

Thank you to my family friend for allowing me to share their experiences.

Kal
……………………..

“Hi Kal, I would like to share a time when your dad came to my mum’s house. I believe it was in Dec 2005. 3 months before he left us all, I can remember walking in and seeing your dad sitting down talking to my mum. I said hello how are you? He said that his head hurts and that he doesn’t feel too good and he has been to the doctors, but the doctor did not know what it could be, possibly thinking it was to do with his head injury in the past.

On previous visits to the house he had mentioned his head and the fact that he was taking medication in the form of anti depressants.

I then said to your dad that the medication can make you feel like that, I however did know as I too have been taking them and suffered symptoms. I started taking them back in 2000 when I started feeling physical symptoms of anxiety. Not knowing what it was I went to the GP who also did not know what I was suffering, but put me on anti depressants and beta blockers. At that time I did not know too much about these meds but just started taking them.

Being an Asian man you find it hard to explain to others what you are suffering – call it pride or just being too ashamed. It took me nearly 1 year before I told my wife and 2 years, before I told all my family, which made me feel a lot better. I believe your dad found it hard to explain what he was suffering, like I said, pride, too ashamed. It has been over ten years for me now; I have tried all types of anti depressants and suicidal thoughts play a big part in these meds. I however at that time didn’t suffer too much depression because my problem is only anxiety, but I did feel suicidal with the meds. I have since experienced my worst ever depression about 4 years ago, as I was off meds for a year but had a relapse in my anxiety and started meds again, which put me in to severe depression.

Depression is very hard to cope with I still do suffer but not as bad. If only I had tried to explain to your dad more that time, but I believe we all could have tried to understand. I am strong as I have learnt to cope, but your dad found it to hard to share his thoughts – he didn’t even want to talk to me when I asked him – like I said, PRIDE.

Also your dad said that he has stopped drinking because of the meds, I didn’t personally agree with that. The reason is that your dad was a social drinker, not heavy unlike me them days. But that didn’t stop me – meds can help you out of depression but can also put you in, like me. What helped me was that I continued with my life, so depression doesn’t take over, however, your dad decided to stop as the GP said to. But that also took a lot from your dad because he liked going to the Chestnut Pub. I know it’s very hard when you’re in depression like me when I feel down I base my whole life on just that day, thinking how will I cope, but then I say to myself, its just for a few days I will get better, you need to fight it, but like I said its hard as I still find it difficult at times but I know my family’s here for me. I have stopped anti depressants over a year ago and my mind is a lot free and clear. Meds do mess you up, but like I said, they also do help some.

I wish my GP never put me on them because they do mess your mind up. I believe the GP should explain in more details about side effects and also speak to a member of the family to let them know that side effects of suicidal thoughts do occur and there is a worsening of depression when starting any anti depressants. Your dad didn’t know this but I now Google any med I take to check on side effects ¬– not always a good idea as most only write about the bad side effects, not how well they work.

Your dad leaving us really hit me hard as he was the only person that visited me as he liked to see me doing up my house and give me ideas. He used to come at least twice a week. He was like an inspector coming to pass off my work. I still remember taking that call that afternoon. This moment and the above are the only ones I will never forget. I have always wanted to share this moment with you but just didn’t know how.

I don’t blame anyone especially not your dad as I know how it feels. I have made some enemies in my life but I wouldn’t wish depression on anyone, it’s horrible.

What we need to learn is that as Asians we need not be ashamed to talk openly and understand. My wife and mum always say don’t think too much, but I say you can’t just stop thinking, its just our genetic makeup, we’re all different.

I know I can’t add to your story, but I did know how your dad felt. We all need to be there for others in the future. I just wish he told someone that he was suffering depression.”

My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree

Part Two

(The Crest)

£3.99

Paperback Edition

£9.99

I was on the Sally Pepper Show earlier in the day talking about the recent Aidan Connor storyline on Coronation Street in which the character takes his own life by suicide.

LISTEN

The launch of the British Sikh Report 2018 has found that almost 3 out of 4 Sikhs know someone with poor mental health. 77% of Sikhs find their lives stressful, and twice as many Sikh women have diagnosed mental health issues compared to Sikh men

Speeches were made from the following individuals:

• Seema Malhotra – Labour MP for Feltham and Heston
• The Lord Crathorne KCVO
• Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi – Labour MP for Slough
• Adam Holloway – Conservative MP for Gravesham
• Jagdev Singh Virdee – Editor for the British Sikh Report & internationally renowned statistician
• Alison Thewliss – MP for Glasgow Central – SNP MP for Glasgow Central
• Rt Hon John McDonnell – MP for Hayes and Harlington & Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Tejinder Singh Sahota – British Sikh Report Team
• Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal – Senior Lecturer in Sikh Studies. Department of Theology and Religion. University of Birmingham
• Harpreet Kaur Sihre – Phd Student in Perinatal Psychiatry at the University of Birmingham
• Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa – British Punjabi author of ‘My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree’
• Jaz Rai – Founder of the Sikh Recovery Network
• Shuranjeet Takhar – Founder of men’s mental health charity Tarakī
• Neelam Heera – Founder of Cysters
• Gurbax Kaur – Founder & Director of Positive Participation and winner of the Thrive Mental Health Commission Awards
• Jasvir Singh – Chair of the British Sikh Report & compere

Coming Soon

‘Steve Bloomer returned home just like the indomitable King of Rome’

Blue plaque unveiled to Derby County football great Steve Bloomer

It is the third major memorial in the city to the Rams’ most prolific goal-scorer

A new memorial to one of Derby’s most-celebrated footballing sons – Steve Bloomer – has been unveiled.

A blue plaque now sits on the front the Derby County legend’s former school building in Derby’s in Portland Street, now home to Paul Wallis Fashions.

The plaque was unveiled in a small ceremony in honour of Bloomer, who scored 332 goals in 525 appearances for the Rams – he was leading scorer for 14 seasons – and 28 goals in 23 matches for England between 1895 and 1907.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Derby City Council, including the Mayor of Derby, councillor John Whitby, and members of Derby Civic Society.

Steve Bloomer had boot deals more than 100 years ago and his goals put him up there with Cristiano Ronaldo… he was a prisoner of war who became known as the ‘Destroying Angel’

ITV

On the @bbcasiannetwork earlier with @Shuranjeet speaking to @TherealNihal about @_taraki__ and Mental Health Awareness.

LISTEN

At Tarakī, we want to help shape an open, honest society in which Punjabi men can speak comfortably about mental health.

Tarakī wants to normalise mental health discussion for Punjabi men. I am looking for Punjabi men who are able to share their mental health experiences… submissions can also be done anonymously! Please email taraki.submission@gmail.com

Thank You.

On Sunday 26th November I will be appearing at the Southbank Centre in London.

I was on BBC Asian Network Radio today discussing #MentalHealthAwareness and the impact of #Theboywiththetopknot

“Do we still hide mental health issues in the Asian community? BBC 2 drama ‘The Boy with the Topknot’ tells the story of a boy growing up in the Midlands, who finds out as an adult that his father has mental health issues which the family have been keeping secret”.

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Barfi Culture

by barfiCulture Team
13th November 2017

My Grandmother on BBC Radio Derby talking about her memories of Partition.

I’m asking the questions in Punjabi.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05bdx1m

When my father died. For a long time I tried to avoid the word suicide. And when I did use it I would also attach ‘commit’ to it.

In time I realised ‘commit’ was not an appropriate word to use. To ‘commit’ suicide once upon a time was a crime in this nation.

It is no longer a crime. Therefore in my opinion I will not use the word ‘commit’ any longer to describe death by suicide.

As I will be releasing Part Two of My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree next year. I have reduced Part One to £0.99 on Amazon Kindle.

I’m currently in the process of creating a Statue for the Legendary Kevin Coyne of Normanton – Derby. My friend Andrew Edwards is on board.

Kevin Coyne was a musician, singer, composer, film-maker, and a writer of lyrics, stories and poems. The “anti-star” was born in Derby, England, and died in his adopted home of Nuremberg, Germany.

I wrote the following the other day.

This is why it matters.

‘The fact that he was Normanton born like me is of great significance but much more important than that is the realisation of just how much he did through his Music, Art and Writing to promote mental health awareness. He obviously had family and friends that had suffered in the past and he chose to do his utmost best to support the vulnerable. Not only by working in mental health institutes but then continuing to pursue it through his art.

Mental health awareness is always a difficult topic to put across. It can be so disheartening when you try and help others but you have the doors firmly slammed in your face. That aspect of his music may not have always appealed to the big record companies, but Kevin never gave up. He never allowed himself to be compromised. He continued relentlessly till the end.

“I don’t see the point in doing anything unless you’re going to say something, unless you’re going to try and communicate, or even to instruct in some things, to share or pass on a feeling that hasn’t reached other people. To encapsulate certain feelings for people that they haven’t been able to express. Sounds a bit pompous, but I’ve got the ability to do these things. So, why not use it?” Kevin Coyne (Liquorice, 1976)”

I’ve tried to do the same with my writing after the suicide of my father. It’s difficult at times when you can’t get the message across, as some people just don’t want to engage. But all the statues I have worked on in the past have been for a reason. To bring happiness back into people’s lives. To remember lost loved ones. In most cases lost fathers.

This is also my way of remembering my own father and giving back to my community.

Steve Bloomer kicked it all off and it seems quite right that I might just come full circle with Kevin Coyne. If this is the last statue I ever work on. I’ll be more than happy to say I contributed in bringing Kevin Coyne home.

And to think. I’ve only known about Kevin since last Wednesday. Ha’

I was on the BBC Radio Derby Satvinder Rana Show earlier. Preet Gill MP also appeared on the show via telephone at 34m. Myself and Ranjit Seehra appear at 46m.

Click Here

On Saturday 10th June 2017 I attended the Derby Book Fair Event at the Derby Silk Mill. However, this year I appeared as an Author for the first time. In the previous two years I was a volunteer for the Derby Book Festival.

I had a great day and met some lovely people. Some I knew from the past and some I had never met before. It was great to be there to talk about my life and my writing and especially the books I have released.

Thank you once again to Steve Bloomer for watching over me 🙂

And Steve Wetton for being by my side.

I also did a reading from Chapter One of My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree – Part One.

Thank You to everyone who attended and engaged with me.

Picture: Derby Telegraph

It was a great honour to be there in the presence of the Silk Mill ‘Weeping Window’ Poppies too, knowing that I also designed the Sikh Poppy Khanda for the Royal British Legion a few years previously.

Last Tuesday I spent a good couple of hours giving Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail a tour of Pear Tree in Normanton, Derby.

Once home to Derby County Football Club.

The old neighbourhood where Steve Bloomer was raised.

Steve Bloomer had boot deals more than 100 years ago and his goals put him up there with Cristiano Ronaldo… he was a prisoner of war who became known as the ‘Destroying Angel’

• Steve Bloomer is fifth on the list for league goals in Europe’s top five divisions
• He is Derby’s all-time top goalscorer and is still well clear over 100 years later
• Bloomer was known as the ‘Destroying Angel’ and even had his own boot deal
• He was held at a prison camp in WWI and turned to football to fight depression 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4567638/Steve-Bloomer-superstar-known-Destroying-Angel.html#ixzz4iwIHHh58

Chris Cornell best known as the lead vocalist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave died by suicide last month.

It was quite a shock to hear of his passing and then subsequently find out that he had taken his life by his own hands.

Whenever I hear about suicides like this, I always think to myself:

‘If only there was someone there with them in those moments before they made the decision to end their life. If only they could have spoken to someone’.

‘If only they could have heard a voice. Something, anything to make them snap out of their mindset for them to reconsider what they were going to do’.

I then began thinking about some kind of audio device vulnerable people could carry with them for this particular scenario. A device in which a message is pre-recorded and then played back in times of urgent need and desperation.

A message of reassurance and positivity that once pressed might make the person reconsider and possibly change their mind. To pull them back from the edge. To create a moment of doubt.

It could be a message they have recorded themselves,  a message from a loved one or a medical specialist offering reassurance and advice.

A simple record-playback device that could be pressed at the push of a button and temporarily snap someone back into reality.

I decided to look into the idea. The ideal device would work with a simple push of a button, very much like a Star Trek Communicator badge.

I ordered these items above a few days ago. On the left is a ‘Talking Button’. It is able to record and play audio up to 10s. On the right is a Recordable Voice Module Sound Talk Chip (30s).

As you can see, the item on the left is quite large and bulky for it to be turned into a badge, so I decided to play around with the Talk Chip instead.

Having trimmed down the motherboard, I squeezed it all into a little Vaseline container and then added the push button onto the back. It works quite well. And there is no need for speaker holes either. The sound produced is easily able to pass through the container without being muffled.

I’m just waiting for a bar pin now to glue to the back so that I can test it out properly whilst wearing it as a badge.

Now obviously, a little device like this is not going to save everyone, but even if it saves one person from taking their own life then surely that is better than nothing.

Thank you to Men Tell Health for allowing me to share my father’s story on their website. It was very kind of them to offer me this opportunity.

I’ve not had the best of luck over the last couple of years when trying to engage with Mental Health Charities. At times I have been very let down by their lack of interest as well as utter incompetence when dealing with me. I’m not going to name the Charities here, but it just goes to show the problems British South Asian Communities have when we try to ask for help to raise awareness of mental health issues in the BAME community.

Stop treating us as a tick box activity and engage with us properley.

The Stigma of Suicide

In the Asian community, the man is seen as the head of the household. So much is expected of him from the instant he takes on the responsibility to provide for his family.

My father was a proud and gentle man who always tried to do his best for those closest to him. My father was a good man. He was not a criminal; he did not commit a crime. He did not ‘commit’ suicide, but my father, Mohinder Singh Dhindsa, did die by suicide on March 1st 2006, resulting from a mental illness that had corrupted his mind thus silencing him forever. It also silenced many more around him who were also deeply affected by his death

Suicide stops people talking. Whether it is the person who has just taken their own life or the loved ones bereaved and left behind to pick up the pieces. The lack of engagement with the bereaved is a serious problem in our community due to the apparent fear of upsetting close family or just not being able to approach the subject or not knowing what to say.

Another factor in this is the issue of shame and dishonour within cultural groups. All these factors further diminish the good memories of the loved one who has passed on, resulting in a paradox in which as they are no longer talked about – they could possibly be forgotten in time forever.

Suicide stops people in their tracks. On March 1st 2006 that was definitely the case for me. It took me a long while to finally get back on track. An uncertain journey that eventually saw me on the straight and narrow, almost nine years later which was developed upon hearing about what led to the death of Robin Williams. The man who set me free and provided me with a form of closure and an acceptance to understand. This then allowed me to try to do my utmost best to help others who have also travelled a similar path.

But before that life affirming revelation I chose to open up to myself first and foremost. Immediately after my father’s death, I knew that I could never allow my memories of him to be lost in time. Therefore I decided to write down all the feelings and memories I still had of him in my life, up to that point. The memories I still retained within my mind took me to places only I could find and recall within the deepest corners of my mind. They had to be written down for posterity. The memories needed to be kept safe from the fear of one day losing them altogether should my own mind also be corrupted in the same manner as my father’s.

It was difficult to talk to anyone at the time; a cloak of silence seemed to have masked all attempts to understand why my father’s death occurred. Religion mixed with custom soaked, in culture. Suicide was taboo, a stigma to be avoided at all cost.

Eventually I began to seek some professional help. Thankfully, I was referred to a Mental Health Therapist who helped me set foot onto the road to happiness. A person who listened without prejudice, unblemished by society’s taboo.

Pain was the motivator for my change. An opportunity to question my life and move on. There had to be no time to stop and contemplate the darkness. I needed to be distracted. Thankfully writing came to my rescue.

But what of all those who can not see a way out? Who are not able to communicate their thoughts or feelings? No energy to engage? No ability to seek help? How do we help them? Anxiety and depression saps their spirit. Suicide will amputate it.

If the answer to the suffering of our people does not lie in our own community then we need to show these people a different pathway. Secrets can destroy lives. Especially for those that try to convince the world and themselves that they are not suffering. These people need to know there is no need to hide and that there is a way out if they seek to destroy the stigma of mental illness. There are agencies out there that they can talk to who will understand what they are going through. You are not alone. It’s time that our community stopped ignoring the most vulnerable that are obviously in need of help. We need to accept that mental illness corrupts the mind. Let us all take the onus if we see someone in difficulty. We can not leave it in the hands of those that suffer. We need to show them the light. Help is out there if only we can help them to ask for it.

Keep talking. Keep moving on. Keep the faith. Disown the stigma of suicide within our culture.

 I was on various Local BBC Radio Stations earlier talking about Mental Health Issues within British South Asian Communities.

Between 1800 and 1930

Radio Bristol

Radio Northampton

Radio Sheffield

Radio Stoke

Radio Derby

Radio Stations

My Book ‘My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree – Part One’ on @AmazonKindle #SuicideAwareness #Derby

I am currently in the process of starting to finish

My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree

Part Two

The Crest

Unlike Part One I will not be releasing the Chapters on this site.

I hope to release the book by March 2018.

From Portland Street to Downing Street. My quest for happiness has taken me to the steps of No.10.

I stand on the ground beneath my feet upon which Sir Winston Churchill defied the Gestapo and all the apparatus of Nazi rule.

Two roads diverged in a village street, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

ESWCSBRF1874  — at 10 Downing Street.

Going to Downing Street was all down to an accumulation of things I have done over the years since the death of my father. Things I needed to do to keep me distracted. To keep me ticking along. To keep me busy. More than anything to keep me happy and to raise my spirits. Many of these things I have contributed to have involved my community. My People. Derby folk. Punjabi folk. My folk.

‘NEVER REJECT YOUR OWN COMMUNITY NO MATTER WHAT FAULTS YOU FIND WITHIN IT.’

I’ve done nothing alone. I’ve always tried to bring others with me. You can’t do anything worthwhile alone. Everyone needs help to move forward in life.

Thanks for helping me all.

I’m not finished yet;

“Homelands School – a name that brings back so many memories for those who attended, and also resonates with those who did not but who remember the fine grammar school for girls. Homelands Revisited is not only a wonderful collection of memories, mostly from those who went there during its earliest years, but also superbly researched work that looks at various aspects of the school. It is a book that will both delight and inform”

Anton Rippon, author of A Derby Boy

MY FATHER & THE LOST LEGEND OF PEAR TREE – PART TWO

THE CREST

Hello all.

Yesterday I released ‘Homelands Revisited’.

Two paperbacks versions are now available on Amazon to buy.

Colour Version – £12.99
Black & White Version – £7.99

Both books are of the same size and contain exactly the same content. The only difference is that the colour version has a mixture of both colour and black & white pictures/photos, and the black & white version is entirely black & white inside.

The reason for this was because I didn’t want to put people off buying the colour version if it seemed too expensive for them.

Another thing to clarify: I will be making very little money from the sales myself. The vast majority of the money will be swallowed up by printing costs etc.

I have also decided to provide a PDF version for a minimum fee of £2.99

(https://sellfy.com/p/YCd5/)

Also, please remember that any profit generated from the sales of this book will be ploughed back into restoring the Honours Boards as well as creating the ‘Homelands Plaque’.

Finally, thank you to Philip Heath and Tom Fulep for their great assistance in putting this book together.

It’s been a great honour.

Next project ‘Homelands Reclaimed’. I’ll reveal more about that in the future.

Thanks, Kal

I was on Radio Derby earlier.

You can hear what I have to say around the 0900 mark.

Loud Mouth

Nomia asks: Has it become easier for men to talk about their emotions?

Also, our immigration guru Harjap Bhangal answers your questions. Nisha and Hamel Soni talk about their young son Kush who has Down’s Syndrome and discusses whether the condition is still taboo in the Asian community.

Click below to watch Video

East Midlands Today

East Midlands News Interview. Stigma of Suicide @RobSissons1 @bbcemt 2m55+

BBC

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Al Jazeera

Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa was a newly married and recently qualified teacher when he received the news that his father had taken his own life.

For Dhindsa in Derby, closure after his father’s death came as a result of his decision to prioritise his personal happiness above any other ambition.

Full Article

Today is March 12th 2017.

It has been one full year since the since the death of Marjorie Calow. Marjorie was a student at Homelands Grammar School for Girls in the early 1940s. She later came back to Teach as Mrs Harrison.

In late 2016 Philip Heath left a post on the wall of this group informing that he had the original ‘Homelands Grammar School for Girls – Honours Boards’ and if anybody wanted them he would be happy to give them away. If not they would be disposed of. I quickly replied saying that I would give them a good home.

Philip is the co-executor of Marjorie’s estate. On October 1st 2016 I drove down to Melbourne to collect the Boards. During this visit I was also given a box of Marjorie’s Homelands possessions.

In this box I found two booklets, one was called ‘Homelands Remembered’ and the other ‘Homelands from the beginning 1938-43’.

Both books were put together by Homelands Old Girls.

I wanted to share these books with this group, but the last thing I wanted to do was just scan them. That would have been too easy.

So with permission I asked if I could reissue them in book form, with extra memories, profiles and information. To give these memories a wider audience and also acknowledge the hard work and effort that was initially put into these booklets to keep the memory of Homelands alive.

Today I will reveal the Cover Art designed by Tamás Miklós Fülep another Homelands Old Boy.

The book itself, called ‘Homelands Revisited’ should be released before the end of this month.

I’ll also be on Radio Derby later in the evening talking about the book.

My ‘Homelands Revisited’ Interview on BBC Radio Derby today with Satvinder Rana

Any money made from this book will be used:

– To restore the Honours Boards and give them a new home.

– To erect a plaque at the old school site (Village Primary School).

Compiled by Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa
Cover Art by Tamás Miklós Fülep
Foreword by Philip Heath

Marjorie Calow of Melbourne

#HomelandsRevisited

#HomelandsBox

Nomia asks: Is it harder for young Asian people to open up about mental health problems?

Homelands Revisited

To be released in March 2017.

Clough fan Kal Singh Dhindsa pleaded for the signs to be returned, adding Cloughie would not have been happy.

BBC NEWS

DERBY TELEGRAPH

NOTTINGHAM POST

SHORT VIDEO

LONG VIDEO

Radio Derby Interview

Radio Nottingham Breakfast Show

Buy both books in paperback on Amazon and receive free delivery

BUY