A portrait painted by artist Helen Wilson Roe of Dr Guy Bailey OBE, the civil rights activist, was unveiled in the MCC Museum at Lord’s this week, to coincide with Black History Month.
The ceremony was attended by Bailey himself and former England bowler Devon Malcolm, as well as several other invited guests including former players Mark Alleyne and Norman Cowans and the first female black athlete to represent Great Britian in the Olympics.
Bailey was instrumental in the Bristol Bus Boycott in the 1960s and made a significant impact on racial equality and social justice in Britain.
The boycott attracted national and international attention, and his work influenced the Government to introduce the 1965 Race Relations Act, which then evolved into the 2010 UK Equalities Act as it is known today.
His tireless work across decades includes co-founding the United Housing Association to support Caribbean Elders, the first black housing association in the southwest, and becoming the first black Education Welfare Officer in Bristol.
He also co-founded the Bristol West Indian Cricket Club, to combat discrimination in sport, which continues to bring joy to generations of black Bristolians today. Bailey understood the power of cricket to engage and generate community cohesion.
He spent many hours on the street talking to young people and encouraging them to participate in cricket, which gave them the ability to play and the feeling of being a part of a wider society.
Former England bowler Malcolm has been influential in ensuring the painting is exhibited at Lord’s, along with Joan Fieldthorn, a member of Bristol West Indian CC (now Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC after a 2013 merger) and friend of Bailey.
Bailey said of the unveiling: “I’m very happy to see my painting here at Lord’s and want to thank everyone involved, most notably the artist Helen, my friend and fellow Club member Joan and of course Devon.
This is a huge surprise and to have my portrait at Lord’s, the same place where my idols, Sir Garfield Sobers and Viv Richards, also have portraits is wonderful.
It was through a cricketing link that Bailey met artist Helen Wilson Roe, a Bristol-based artist now living in Stroud, who said: “The establishment of the cricket club stands as a testament to Guy Bailey’s never-ending resolve to ensure that cricket remained a fixture in the lives of all British people, irrespective of their race or religion.
“I have made it my mission to paint portraits of individuals who have consistently contributed to their local or global communities and have brought about meaningful change yet have been overlooked.”
Malcolm said: “Guy Bailey’s contribution to both cricket and civil rights issues is truly inspiring. The Bristol West Indian Cricket Club, Bailey formed in 1963 is still going strong today, and continues to provide a platform for African Caribbean cricket lovers to come together and enjoy the sport. Cricket is huge in Bailey’s life and has given him the tenacity and strength to fight for all he believes in. Bailey has indeed made history by fearlessly challenging racism, setting an example of how we should treat each other with dignity and respect. I encourage all young people to research Guy Bailey and the contributions of our unsung heroes who used cricket to change lives.”
Wilson Roe continued: “It’s the pinnacle of an artist’s journey, that the place you put the painting is as important as the painting itself. Seeing the painting here at Lord’s and the reaction of Guy and the crowd was very emotional”.
Neil Robinson, Head of Heritage & Collections at MCC commented:
“We believe that Lord’s should be the Home of Cricket for every cricket fan, and that the great stories that make up the game’s history come from all levels of the game.
“It is entirely fitting for us to host this beautiful portrait of a great club cricketer, who did so much for the Caribbean community in Britain both on and off the field. And to display it alongside photographs of cricketers from the same community who have made it to the very top of the game makes it a perfect match”.
The painting will remain in situ as part of the England’s Black Cricketers exhibition in the MCC Museum for the next 12 months before a long-term decision is made on its future.
For more information on the artist visit Helenwilsonroe.com