Libraries Ethnic minorities in our city

Race relations

The Race Relations Act of 1965 set up the Race Relations Board to encourage racial harmony, prevent racial discrimination, and to deal with complaints. Manchester Councillor, Bernard Sydney Langton, was appointed to the first Board. We hold papers relating to his work 1965 to 1968 (ref GB127.M784/7/1-13). The main records are held at the National Archives.

Resources marked with GB are available in the search room, please make an appointment.

Bernard Langton was also involved in the establishment of the Manchester Council for Community Relations. This was set up in partnership with the Home Office, City Council and local ethnic minority groups as an independent voluntary sector organisation. Over time, it became involved with issues of racial discrimination and the enforcement of the Race Relations Act. We hold papers relating to his work with the Manchester Council for Community Relations, Jul 1965 to Apr 1966 (ref GB127.M784/10/1-2). We also hold some copy minutes of the Executive Committee and various sub-committees, 1968 to 1971 (ref GB127.M184/Box 41-42)

Printed material we have for the Manchester Council for Community Relations:

  • Mezzo: the Story of Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR 1990) (362.84 Me (010))
  • Newsletter (Quarterly) 1967 to Apr 1971 (f307.06Ma1)
  • Race for homes: housing and coloured Mancunians [sic] (MCCR, 1969). "Outlines results of surveys carried out in 1968 by the Fair Housing Group of the Council" (331.833 Ra4)
  • Robin Ward, Coloured families in council houses: progress and prospects in Manchester in Manchester [sic] (MCCR 1971) (331.833 Wa4)
  • Annual Reports, 1966 to 1988, incomplete (301.45Ma45)
  • Agenda 2010 Annual Reports: 2000/2001 and 2002/2003 (qR305.8MAN(654))
  • Agenda 2010: Improving Race Equality in Manchester (QR 305.8MAN(721))
  • Racial harassment in Manchester and the response of the police, 1980 to 1985 (MCCR, 1986) (Q305.8RA)

See also 'Strangers in Our Midst' 1958.

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