As Brixton geared up for the Windrush anniversary, the African Caribbean war memorial in Windrush Square got a new caretaker.
Stafford Geoghagen owner of Caribbean food outlet Healthy Eaters on Electric Avenue, and one of the trustees of the neighbouring Black Cultural Archives, will donate £4,000 a year for two years to the Nubian Jak Community Trust that created the memorial.
Stafford and his wife Rose met Jak for the first time at the memoriaI. Stafford and his team will be looking after general maintenance and ensure that the monument remains clean and litter free.
“It is not just about corporate social responsibility. It is my way of paying tribute to the fallen who have made this country free,” Stafford said.
After it was unveiled a year ago, the monument’s stonework suffered minor damage, it is believed from skateboards. Boarders in the square assured Jak that they would never do such a thing.
It has now been repaired and temporary railings are in place. There are plans to install planters on each side of the memorial that would allow people to lay wreaths and get closer to read the inscriptions – but also offer a measure of protection.
