Fairfield House News #11 Oct 2024
A series of 70th anniversary celebrations saw HIM’s legacy firmly reestablished at the heart of the institutional, cultural and faith life of the city of Bath.
Deputy Mayor of Bath Cllr Ruth Malloy and HIH Princess Esther Sellassie Antohin cut a celebratory cake showing the proclamation of HIM’s Freedom of the City granted 70 years ago.
HIM’s legacy is restored to its rightful place in Bath
Imperial family members, heritage groups, B&NES Council, University, civic dignitaries including the King’s representative and Fairfield House communities met over the four days 17-20 Oct to celebrate the 70th anniversary of HIM Haile Selassie I’s 1954 return visit to Bath, when he was awarded Freedom of the City, the highest honour the city authorities can bestow.
Organised by Fairfield House, the celebrations were joined by HIH Princess Esther, great-grandaughter of the Emperor, and also her daughter Sasha Sellassie Antohin.
The events included:
the planting of a special tree at Bath Spa University to recall the Emperor’s visit to the Newton Park campus 70 years ago
a commemorative banquet for dignitaries at Fairfield House, to echo one hosted by HIM for his friends and supporters in Bath
a full day of activities at the National Trust’s Assembly Rooms including dance, music, talks, drumming attended by over 700 people
Choral Evensong at Bath Abbey, with specially chosen readings, lessons and prayers, along with an exhibition on HIM’s deep links to the Abbey
The successful four-day programme demonstrated significant progress in the commitment of Bath institutions to preserve and celebrate HIM’s legacy. More details of each of these special events below.
Bath Spa University remembers HIM’s visit to Newton Park campus
On the first sunny autumn day that week Princess Esther and Fisseha Combley led Bath Spa University and Fairfield House staff in a planting of a commemorative tree at Newton Park.
Princess Esther and Fisseha Combley plant the cypress tree on the edge of the Newton Park lake (photo: Bath Spa University)
One the most beautiful settings of any UK University, the Newton Park landscape was a project of the Georgian landscape designer Lancelot "Capability" Brown. The chosen tree - taxodium distichum, the bald or swamp cypress - would have been available to him at that time. Native to United States swampland, the tree can grow to 50-70 feet. Placing its “toes in the water” means future generations should see a reflection of its red, gold and green needles in the lake in autumn, the grounds staff explained.
Commemorative Ethiopian banquet echoes HIM’s hospitality
Fairfield House and Princess Esther welcomed the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and civic dignitaries to a celebratory Ethiopian banquet Fri 18 October. The event took place 70 years to the day after HIM hosted his own such event for Bath friends and supporters.
Mohammed Saddiq, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, speaks after the dinner.
Fairfield House guests from our partner organisations Bath Spa, B&NES Council and the National Trust, friends and community representatives were served the traditional injeera with a range of Ethiopian sauces and stews. Just as at HIM’s banquet 70 years earlier there were liberal servings of the deceptively potent Ethiopian honey wine tej.
Guests heard warm speeches from Princess Esther, from the King’s representative Lord Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq, and Ethiopian and Rastafari community leaders.
Music was provided by the new Fairfield House Bath Ethio Jazz Project trio, arranged and led by Ross Hughes.
Assembly Rooms sees largest Fairfield House gathering yet
Over 700 people passed through Bath’s world-famous Assembly Rooms for Fairfield House’s latest Freedom in the City festival Sat 19 October. Hosted by the National Trust and supported by B&NES and Bath Spa University the event was attended by Princess Esther and the deputy Mayor of Bath, who cut a celebratory cake decorated with a reproduction of the original proclamation.
Attractions at the Assembly Rooms included talks, African drumming, Indian dance, food and stalls.
The Fairfield House Ethio Jazz Project played in five-piece format with added vibes and trombone.
Akhila Rao gave a performance of classical Indian dance.
Bath Abbey invites Fairfield House communities to Evensong
The Fairfield House communities were invited to a special service at Bath Abbey Sunday 20 October. It was in Bath Abbey’s church of England rite, with choir and organist delivering an outstanding Choral Evensong. Worship was led by the Rector Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater,
Guest of honour Princess Esther was invited to read the lesson. The text 1 Kings 10 1-13 spoke of Solomon and Sheba, her direct ancestors (photo: Bath Abbey).
The Rector quoted HIM’s 1938 speech in London to the Bible Testimony Fellowship in which he spoke of the “infinite comfort” the Bible offered to him (photo: Bath Abbey).
Inspired by the Emperor’s time in exile the Rector led prayers for hope, strength and inspiration for refugees and victims of war, for leaders in Ethiopia and worldwide, for the bruised and suffering and those seeking justice everywhere. He gave thanks for HIM’s legacy to Bath and for the work of Fairfield House: care of the elderly and support of HIM’s causes. He also gave thanks for the work of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, and prayed for God’s blessing on the continuing work of Fairfield House today.
The full service can be seen online at Bath Abbey’s YouTube account.
At the Bath Abbey altar: Solomon Selassie, Hugo Makepeace, Abiy Mengistu, Keith Bowers, William Heath, Rector Guy Bridgewater, Princess Esther, Sasha Sellassie Antohin, Ras Benji, Prof Shawn Sobers, Ras Habakuk. Chris Leigh
Bristol Royal British Legion remembers its former patron
Fairfield House communities joined the Royal British Legion and Bristol Legacy Foundation remembering HIM Haile Selassie at Circomedia for Black History Month. HIM was Patron of the Bristol branch of the RBL.
The Legacy and Memorialisation featured speakers Prof Shawn Sobers and Ras Benji from Fairfield House, Bristol Legacy Foundation’s founder Asher Craig, and the first black royal guardsman Richard Stokes.
As well as talks the event included Nyabinghi drumming, poetry and dinner provided by Nadine’s Caribbean Cafe.
Visit of “conscious revolutionary” Kabaka Pyramid
Grammy-award winning major reggae revival artist, self-described “conscious revolutionary” Kabaka Pyramid visited Fairfield House in October. A devout Rastafari, whose contemporary reggae comes with uplifting and inspiring lyrics, he was offered a private tour with his band and entourage. He also took some time for private reflection in HIM’s house.
Kabaka Pyramid pledged his full support for Fairfield House. Thanks to his management for invitations to his Bristol gig that night.
Sister Pauline enjoying well-deserved R&R at Kabaka Pyramid’s outstanding Bristol Trinity Hall gig.
Upcoming
Fairfield House offers historical guided tours on Sundays through November and December.
Sat 2 Nov 1400-2000 Rastafari Sabbath Observance, with celebration of the 94th anniversary of the Coronation of His and Her Imperial Majesty.