What’s Your Granby Story?

The last Granby 4 Streets Market of this summer season this Saturday, 5th September. And a very special one too.

We are telling the stories of the place now. Listen.

This is Zeena Mekki telling a story of this week, this century and the last one. The story of a seafarer. The story of a migrant. The story of a refugee. A story of welcome. Of decades and of love. The story of coming home, of being human. The story of her Dad and Granby. Listen.

Written and told by the people of Granby.

Then maybe we’ll get to the place where we tell all of our stories? Where we link the place that past generations called home and welcome, to a future it didn’t look like it might have.

This Thursday evening some of us storytellers gathered for one of the precious few times we’ve taken to reflect on and celebrate all of this.

Commissioned by the Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust, written by the people of Granby, and produced by Writing On The Wall.

We hear the story of 79 Granby Street, told by Zena Mekki. Of Mop and Pops and the Mekki family. Known well from Granby Street to Port Sudan as a family and a place of welcome, solutions and refuge. Their shop on Granby Street, open now for 50 years. Granby, where new arrivals have long been welcomed in.

“When I was very young I remember lots of people from all over the world coming to visit us. I never understood who they were.”

Time then to reflect on the story, to talk and to eat together. Thanks to Rose Olive and Mark, and to Takiyah of Masamba for the food.

Then music.

Then we carried on telling the stories of now and soon.

In the street the people come and go, talking of what they’ve done and know.

Next afternoon, I start reading the book. Arriving at ‘Nineties Diva’ Nicola Duzant-Hayden has this to say:

“Throughout the years, great moments come and they go. We remember the parties and great music created. A time that once felt it stood still is now waiting to re-emerge. The hidden talent and culture of L8 is waiting beneath the surface.

This is my story.”

What’s Your Granby Story?

This was a quiet  and celebratory gathering for the people who told the stories and made the book. It will be officially launched and available to buy for £2.99 at the Granby 4 Streets Market this Saturday, 5th September. And there will be stories told on the day by the Granby people who have written the book.

There will also be Homebaked and all the food and art and crafts and music you’d expect at this last Street Market until Christmas. Plus something special. The Community Land Trust architects, Assemble, are having an open day in their Granby Workshop, their new social enterprise on Granby St (in Karen and Sam’s old newsagent).  Come in and say hello and have a look at the great craft works they are doing for the houses. Constructing the future out of the past. See you there?