Busier than ever: November 2024
This was meant to be a quiet month! A war hero's daughter gfts us a historic shield; the new Ambassador and reggae star Protoje both pay visits; Princess Alexandra joins the Board of Trustees.
British war hero’s daughter gifts historic shield
Philippa Millard with the shield Ethiopian patriots gave her father Lt-Col John Foster Millard.
Lt-Col John Foster Millard was a British hero of the second Italo-Ethiopian war in the 1940s. Sent to the Guraghe Highlands of Ethiopia, he trained and led a 3000-strong military force - known as Millard's Scouts or "Milforce" - which routed the Italians off the plateau.
On an introduction by HIH Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate his daughter Philippa Millard contacted Fairfield House and arranged to visit this month to share this history and some artefacts.
Lt-Col Millard also led Ethiopian patriot forces at the battles of Kulkabar Ridge and Gondar which ended the Italian campaign in November 1941. In thanks Ethiopian patriots gave him a traditional Ethiopian shield, which Philippa has now in turn gifted to Fairfield House as a symbol of enduring Anglo-Ethiopian friendship.
Fairfield House extends grateful thanks to Philippa Millard for the splendid gift, and to Asfa-Wossen Asserate for the introduction.
New Ethiopian Ambassador visits in November
One of the first acts of the new Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK HE Biruk Mekonnen Demissie was to visit Fairfield House in November. The Ambassador took a historic tour with his colleagues and discussed strategic plans over traditional Ethiopian lunch and coffee. His focus in working with the UK is on economic development, serving the diaspora (particularly the next generation) and peace and stability in Ethiopia.
HE Ambassador Biruk Mekonnen Demissie is presented with a copy of Keith Bowers’ book Imperial Exile by Chair of Trustees Fisseha Combley.
The Ambassador agreed to work together with Fairfield House including on “Ethiopia Day” Adwa celebrations, establishing more formal relations between Addis and the city of Bath, and promoting the Amharic language.
The Ambassador’s party with Fairfield House hosts.
Princess Alexandra joins Fairfield House Board of Trustees
Fairfield House is delighted to announce that Princess Dr. Alexandra Edjigaheu Sellassie Antohin has agreed to join the Board of Trustees from January 2025.
Based in Washington DC, Princess Alexandra’s professional background in the non-profit sector includes over nine years of leadership experience in education programming, youth development and digital humanities. As an anthropologist, she has researched, published and presented extensively on topics related to Orthodox Christianity, religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and social history.
New Trustee Princess Dr Alexandra Sellassie Antohin (l) seen here at Fairfield House with her mother, former co-chair of Trustees Princess Esther Sellassie Antohin.
Princess Alexandra is great-great granddaughter to Emperor Haile Selassie who donated Fairfield House to the city of Bath. “We’re delighted to have Princess Alexandra joining us and assuming full Board responsibilities”, said Chair of Trustees Fisseha Combley. “Her professional experience and her personal insight into the Ethiopian Imperial legacy will be especially valuable.”
Limited edition commemorative booklet now on sale
The limited edition commemorative booklet The 70th Anniversary of the return visit of HIM to the City of Bath is now available for sale online. It includes rare photographs, and articles by Keith Bowers, Ras Benji, Pauline Swaby-Wallace, William Heath, Chris Leigh and Professor Shawn Haile Mariam Sobers.
Price is £15. Worldwide shipping. Order your copies via email operations@fairfieldhousebath.co.uk
Protoje and Tippy I Grade visit Fairfield House on UK tour
Fairfield House welcomed a short-notice visit from the Jamaican reggae artist Protoje and acclaimed reggae producer Tippy I Grade. The duo, who have been touring the UK, enjoyed a historical guided tour and shared videos describing their visit and expressing support for Fairfield House.
Protoje and Tippy I Grade in the Imperial Voice Radio studio. Protoje said it was a privilege to visit Fairfield House, and hoped his visit would be the first of many.
Sir Jacob Epstein bust of HIM is sold at auction
A striking model for a bust of HIM by the eminent sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein was auctioned by Bonhams Nov 27. Fairfield House archivist and experienced collector Triscot Ronde alerted us to the opportunity; we put in our best offer but were narrowly outbid. Grateful thanks to those who responded to our last-minute call for pledges of donations or loans to help Fairfield House acquire this. We tried.
From an original made in 1936 by Sir Jacob Epstein, this bronze model was cast in the 1960s. It sold this month for £7000.
If you might possibly be prepared to support Fairfield House in future should opportunities arise to acquire significant items please contact us. We need to be better prepared.
Raising awareness with Curo housing association
Fairfield House and Curo housing association are raising awareness of Curo’s role in HIM’s legacy. Curo is very significant in HIM’s legacy, not just as a substantial neighbour to Fairfield House but also as the organisation that plays a large part in carrying out the Emperor’s stated wish.
Our neighbour Curo carries out the Emperor’s wish by providing homes for the aged on HIM’s former estate.
HIM gifted his estate as “a home for the aged”. Bemsca fulfils this with day-care services in Fairfield House, but the main house no longer meets statutory requirements for residential care. Actual provision of housing for the aged on the estate is done by Curo, to which B&NES Council’s stock of 1970s bungalows in Empress Menen Gardens was transferred in 1999.
This year for Black History Month Curo interviewed Ras Benji and ran a news article and short documentary video with new drone footage about Fairfield House, its history and Curo’s role in carrying out HIM’s wish. Fairfield House looks forward to developing the collaboration and working more closely with our neighbour Curo in future.
RIP Cllr Rob Appleyard, 796th Mayor of Bath
We were saddened to learn of the death of Cllr Rob Appleyard, 796th Mayor of Bath.
Pauline Swaby writes: "Rob Appleyard was a dear friend of Bemsca and Fairfield House who supported many of our community events and even made them happen in the Guildhall in Bath. For decades he has been a true champion of inclusion in our City.
Cllr Rob Appleyard enjoys a Fairfield House celebration.
“Thanks to Rob as B&NES Council chair we celebrated occasions for the Caribbean, Indian and Pakistan community at the Guildhall. He took an active interest in Bemsca, attending our AGM, Windrush and Caricom services. As Mayor, Rob opened HIM’s 130th Birthday celebrations and stayed all day with his wife Amanda, the Rastafari and Ethiopian communities. His presence will be missed at Fairfield House."
And finally…best things to do: Fairfield House now #6
Fairfield House’s Tripadvisor profile now lists us at #6 of 204 best things to do in Bath.
Tickets are still available for historical guided tours 1200 and 1330 Sun 1 Dec and Sun 8 Dec 2024. Historical tours resume from Sun 26 Jan 2025.
Upcoming
Sun Dec 1 and 8: Historical guided tours (then winter break)
Fri 13 Dec from 1700: Volunteers party
Sat 7 Dec Rastafari Sabbath observance
Sun 26 Jan 2025: Historical tours resume
Mon 27 Jan Fairfield House Ethio Jazz Project live at The Bell Inn, Walcot St Bath (free entry)