Roy Hackett's Tribute 18- 19 AidBox Community

LOCAL HERO Roy Hackett's funeral

A fitting tribute to a legend.

I have been to some very well attended and interesting funerals but I have never been to one with Firemen and the High Sheriff in full regalia and a vintage double decker bus to take mourners to the cemetery.

Too many dignitaries and prominent Bristolians to mention them all, the Shadow leader of the House of Commons Thangam Debbonaire, the assistant chief constable, the Mayor and the deputy Mayor, the former lord Mayor Cleo Lake, and a message was read out from the Jamaican High Commissioner by Primrose Granville and of course Roy’s fellow activist Paul Stephenson. Sherie Eugine-Hart gave us a potted history of Dr Laurel Roy Hackett. Who knew his first name was Laurel? His Grandson pointed out that he had never seen his Grandad without his hat. There was literally a queue to pay respect and appreciation.

By far the cutest tribute was from his Great Grandson, Cameron Roy Hackett. Who was ‘nervous’ and almost couldn’t bring himself to speak but was able to tell his Grandad ‘me look wicked man!’ as he was wearing one of Roy’s hats. He went on to say how he would miss playing ball with his Great Grandad. He got a well-deserved standing ovation. Cameron swapped his hat for the floppy black headwear for recipients of honorary degrees when he went back up as part of the family group that accepted Roy’s posthumous accolade from Bristol Uni. Lawrence Hoo read a specially commissioned poem (below) and Barbara Dettering, last of the 7 saints of St Pauls, spoke of how you couldn’t walk down the street with him without him stopping several times to speak to people, ‘he was kind, caring, and loved his community’. The High Sherriff Alex Raikes spoke of how Roy had a lot in common with the queen, born just two years after her and dying just before, and called him a ‘King in our community’.

Of course there was reference to the racism faced back in the day and the Bus Boycott and the Race relations act that followed. But he was so much more than that to so many people. As the Mayor said, “What do we want to be able to say about our lives? We want to be able to say it mattered.” and Roy Hackett’s certainly did.

written by Lucille Smith

A vintage bus taking mourners to the South Bristol cemetery for the Burial.

LOCAL HERO Legends Never Die Poem by Lawrence Hoo

Some Legends are born Some legends are created The truth we know about this Legend is He will forever be celebrated Mischievous, suave, sophisticated and smart Roy Hacketts life, was blessed from the start Born in Islington, St Mary, Jamaica, on September 18th, 1928 The journey began of a child, who was destined, to rise above racist hate Growing up the first born, of three brothers and one sister Roy Hackett from an early age, has always been an elder Roy Hackett, came to England, in 1952, as part of the now known Windrush generation Living in several UK cities, before Bristol, became his home, his final destination No Blacks, No Gypsies, No Dogs, No Irish Were the signs that welcomed Roy Hackett When he arrived, answering an Empires wish Roy Hackett didn’t bow, Roy Hackett stood tall When the system wanted us, to beg, kneel and crawl After settling in St Paul’s, Roy Hackett became a Civil Rights Activist Unable to accept the racism that was commonplace, he had to resist You could only work on Bristol’s buses, if you were classed as white To Roy, this was like a red flag to a bull, and he was prepared to fight The Bristol Bus Boycott, was organised, in the face of adversity People demonstrated, their resilience, fighting, for equality and diversity Roy Hackett played an instrumental role, in Bristol’s Bus Boycott Through not accepting the status quo, of being labelled a have not August 28th, 1963, is a date, we should always remember This is when the USA and the UK’s fight against segregation, synchronised, entwining us together On this day, Martin Luther King made his famous “I have a dream speech” At the same time as employment for all, on Bristol’s buses, came into reach

The Bristol Bus Boycott, set in motion, the laying of the foundations, for the UK’s Race Relations Act Which would of been unimaginable, before the colour bar, on Bristol’s buses was lifted, and that’s a fact Along with being a member, of Bristols Race Equality Council, the Bristol West Indian Parents and Friends Association, and a Founding Father, of St Paul’s Carnival Roy Hackett dedicated his life, to improving the lives of others, who were discriminated against, overlooked, and often, fighting for their survival Roy Hacketts achievements have been acknowledged by many, including the Jamaican High Commission, the University of Bristol and Royalty Which has resulted, in Roy Hackett receiving numerous honours, from Community Champion, an Honorary Doctorate to an MBE Whether we believe in the system, or whether we don’t Roy Hackett proved what we can achieve if we choose to act over if we won’t Roy Hackett, was a proud and humble Jamaican, humble to the core Never seeking celebrity status, never seeking, to be pushed to the fore Roy Hackett, leaves a legacy, that is a joy to see The legacy of one, who strived for us all, to be free We are now standing, on the shoulders of a giant Who showed us we could win, through being defiant Over what we would endure, if we obeyed, and stayed silent Roy Hackett, broke new ground, creating pathways, for others to follow Which enabled people, to feel whole, complete, no longer hollow Dr Laurel Roy Hackett MBE For all you did And continue to do We would just like to say Thank you As we Salute you