Inspirational community leader and Ipswich’s first Black Mayor, Barbadian Albert Grant OBE, age 89, died on Tuesday after a long-term illness.
Albert Grant was a trailblazer and served as the first Black Mayor and Councillor for 26 years in the Suffolk town of Ipswich, where 2.7 % of the population originated from Barbados (2011 census). It is here that Albert dedicated his life to public service and quickly made a name for himself in the community as he fought against the injustices and prejudices encountered.
Albert was born in 1934 in The Bayland in St Michael. Like many others before him, he left Barbados in 1955 to seek a better life in the UK as part of the Windrush generation. On arrival, he joined the Army and left in 1960. He then started work at Crane Ltd. in Ipswich and stayed there for thirty-six years until his retirement.
In 1990, Albert Grant became the first Black Councillor in Ipswich, served in the White House ward, and was instrumental in setting up the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality, becoming Vice President and Director. He pioneered the involvement of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals in local politics and was frustrated that no Black person had stepped forward to take his safe seat when he announced his retirement, more so because he thought that an influential position would be lost to the community.
He was a founding member of the Ipswich Caribbean Association in 1975, which acquired a building on Woodbridge Road in 1980. Over the years, this expanded to become the International Community Centre to reflect the increasingly diverse nature of Ipswich. It is here that he put on evening classes, gained funding for a library, and created a Saturday school. With the closure of the building in 2010, the Luncheon club for elderly residents lost its permanent home, resulting in its being held in various venues, including restaurants and pub lunches.
Fellow Barbadian and former Councillor and Mayor Hamil Clarke MBE, who worked closely with Grant on many of his projects, said, I am sorry to hear of the death of a real stalwart of our community; he worked tirelessly for equality in Ipswich; it is a sad time for us all.”
Albert was not just a significant figure in developing Ipswich’s communities; he was a pioneer of integration. His work with the Ipswich Caribbean Association was instrumental in fostering unity and understanding among the diverse communities in Ipswich. His efforts ensured that Ipswich never saw the tensions that built up in some other places, a testament to his commitment to equality and community harmony.
He became Mayor in 1995 and was awarded the OBE for his work on community relations in 2000. During this period, he was a school governor at multiple schools for many years. In the 2006 local elections, he lost his seat on the Council but regained it in 2008. During this time, he was the Chair of many committees and Appeal boards.
In October 2021, Albert Grant received an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk. On his retirement, Councillor Grant said that he had an enjoyable time and thoroughly enjoyed himself; he gained a lot of friends and, through his work, met people from all walks of life.
This dedication to public life did not end there. A chance meeting with a fellow Bajan, Sandra Smith, a secretary of the Ipswich Merchant Navy Association, meant that Albert was invited to lay a wreath at the Merchant Navy memorial service in London. This was in memory of those who died during the Second World War, as many of these lived around Bayland and surrounding areas.
Fifteen years ago, I travelled to Ipswich to meet Albert Grant as I had heard so much about him and his work on behalf of Black folk in Ipswich; after meeting him, I informed the Barbados High Commissioner Tony Arthur of his career and the large Barbadian diaspora in the area. After our discussions It was then decided to hold a Bajan Day in Ipswich with the National Bajan group and the High Commission. Hamil Clarke MBE was the Mayor then, and Albert told us we should extend the offer to Clarke instead. This gesture spoke volumes about the man himself, and I continued to follow his career and spoke occasionally on the phone. It was one of the highlights of his life to receive his UK Nation newspaper every Friday and would travel to the town centre to collect it.
In April this year, I surprised him at the annual luncheon with twelve of his friends. He was not expecting me but smiled broadly upon my arrival. It was here that he told me of his illness; it was a sad moment amongst the laughter. Saying our goodbyes, he took it all in his stride, got onto his electric wheelchair, and headed home, bidding me farewell. His journey, marked by resilience and determination, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to making a difference.
RIP Albert Grant
