Bristol Joins Slave Trade Commemorations on Amazing Grace Sunday

Water carried from the harbour will form part of a symbolic act in Bristol Cathedral later this month - acknowledging the injustice and shame of the slave trade.

The service, at 3pm on Sunday 25 March, will be led by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Mike Hill, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clifton, the Rt Rev Declan Lang and Dr Anthony Reddie, author and teacher of black theology.

It marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of the bill to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire (25 March 1807).

"The service has been planned in collaboration with the Council of Black Churches in Bristol," explained Canon Tim Higgins of Bristol Cathedral.

"Representatives of many local communities will express the injustice and shame of the slave trade. They will pour water, drawn from the ocean which carried slave ships, into a large vessel. They will place their hands beneath the water and then dry each others' hands in a mutual act of recognition."

According to historian Nigel Pocock, some 590,000 slaves embarked from Africa on Bristol-based slave ships - most bound for the West Indies. According to the Cambridge University Slavery Database, the mortality rate onboard was 14.5 per cent.

The service in Bristol is one of hundreds taking a similar theme on Amazing Grace Sunday. Churches throughout the UK will sing the famous hymn, written by former slave trader John Newton.

A feature film, called Amazing Grace, is due for UK release two days before - Fri 23 March. Starring Ioan Gruffudd, the film tells the story of William Wilberforce's 20-year fight to bring an end to the slave trade in the British Empire.

"Amazing Grace is one of those special hymns that has inspired millions of people," said May-Lynn Chang, of Bristol Bay Productions, makers of the film. "Our hope is that the movie has a similar impact."