KERRY McQUEENEY reports on a series of tours exploring the lives of the borough's most influential black figures.

The first in a series of bus tours unearthing the borough's black history departed from Croydon last week.

Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor one of the borough's first influential black figures was just one of the characters brought to life on a bus tour which explores the hidden histories of London's most interesting black former residents.

At 8.30am on May 27 passengers were taken on a seven-hour geographical and cultural journey through London's black heritage, led by tour guide and renowned historian Steve Martin.

Mr Martin, author of Britain's Slave Trade, specialises in black history and has run a series of successful black history bus tours in central London.

He said: "It was very well attended. We had a full bus and it had the desired effect on everyone, from the youngest passenger right up to the oldest.

"In order to get a sense of history, particularly global history, it's important to know the history in your own backyard, especially black history in London.

"The best way to assimilate history is by looking at the personal experiences of individuals.

"We looked at the composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor who, as far as I'm concerned, every schoolchild in Croydon should know about and Croydon police officer Sislin Fay Allen, who was the first black female police officer in the 1960s."

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was the celebrated black composer, famed for his composition, Hiawatha's Wedding.

He was brought up in Croydon and died in 1912 at the age of 37.

Sislin Fay Allen was the first black female officer, serving in the Metropolitan Police between 1968 and 1972. After spending her first year in Croydon she was promoted to Scotland Yard's missing persons bureau before transferring back to Norbury police station.

The project, organised by Croydon Supplementary Education Project and supported by Croydon Council's Reaching Out programme, is aimed at families across the borough who want to find out more about black and Afro-Caribbean culture and the stories behind some of history's forgotten figures.

Organiser Jacinth Martin said: "It is fantastic to have such a celebrated historian as Steve Martin come to Croydon. His black history tours around the capital are always popular."

Councillor Maria Gatland, cabinet member for education, youth and lifelong learning, said: "Each year Croydon organises Black History Month events in October but it's great to see projects happening all year round to celebrate the fact the UK's heritage is made up of a variety of cultures."

The next black bus tour is planned for July 16 and will depart from Sydenham Road, Croydon, at 8.30am before travelling into central London and returning to the borough by 4pm. Places need to be booked in advance.

Call 020 8686 7865 or email info@csep.org.uk.