We Were There by Lanre Bakare - display pack and competition (including copies of the book)

We Were There by Lanre Bakare - display pack and competition (including copies of the book)

**Please read all the information below before placing an order** 

 

The history of Black Britons who shaped our culture beyond the capital 

We Were There is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one that exists beyond London. We are in Wigan, Wolverhampton, Manchester, the green expanse of the British countryside and more. We meet feminists and Rastafarians, academics and pan-Africanists, environmental campaigners and rugby-league superstars. Together, these voices and stories rewrite our idea of Black British culture. London was only ever part of the picture – We Were There is about incorporating a vastly broader range of Black Britons into the fabric of our national story.

 

40 display packs are available to request from Vintage. Packs include:

  • 2x hardback copies of We Were There for your library

  • Your choice of printed regionally bespoke postcards, featuring links to audio extracts

    • Locations available: Wigan, Bradford, Birmingham, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Manchester, Lake District, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Sheffield (if you have a preference, please write this in the notes of your order)
  • A3 printed posters with a map of the UK design

  • Regionally bespoke A4 posters available to download and print, available for the above locations.

  • Digital assets 

We would love to see your displays! There will be a prize consisting of one set of five classic titles from Black authors from our Vintage red spines collection for the best display, as judged by the Vintage marketing team. To enter, use #WeWereThere and simply tag @VintageBooks and @readingagency on X or Instagram with a picture of your display or email a picture of your display to Kimberley.Sheehan@readingagency.org.uk by midnight on 22 May 2025.

 

Advance praise for We Were There:

‘An incisive book at an important time’ Gary Younge, author of Dispatches from the Diaspora

‘We Were There is a vital corrective that enhances our understanding of Black British history in the 20th century by moving the narrative outside of London’ Steve McQueen

‘We Were There is an essential, unique and joyful contribution to the full understanding of Black Britain.’ Dipo Faloyin, author of Africa Is Not A Country

‘Fascinating. Lanre Bakare's story is told with pace, wit, scholarship, and nuance. It taught me so much about the city and the country where I live’ Ed Caesar

‘This is an important and ambitious book, and Bakare has found the right stories and language to do it justice’ Andy Beckett, author of Promised You A Miracle

 

What you need to do

Please place your free order by 9 April (note, packs may sell out before this date). Print materials will be sent by post and digital materials by email shortly after this date, or once the packs have sold out.

One pack per library only. If you are ordering for multiple libraries in your authority, please get in touch to Kimberley.Sheehan@readingagency.org.uk. 

Please note, by ordering a free pack you are agreeing to create a library display using the materials and share the digital assets on social media. You will be expected to send back photos of your display by 23 May. You will also be asked to complete a short feedback form. Do not order a pack if you cannot commit to this.

If you have any questions about ordering or using this pack, please get in touch via the email above.

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