Speaking to Mr Gerard Greene, even over the phone, you can hear the excitement and enthusiasm brimming in his voice. Today we discussed the recent opening of the “India’s Gateway: Gujarat” exhibit at the Redbridge Central Library.

Greene discusses why it is so important to make an exhibit specially dedicated to Redbridge’s relationship with India; our story with Gujarat stretches back almost 400 years, at the birth of the East India Trading Company. The first links between India and the political powerhouse were forged by Redbridge resident, Sir Thomas Roe, the first British merchant to secure a trade deal in India. During the 17th and 18th Centuries almost 40 merchants for the borough would go on to make their way in India, creating a lasting financial relationship between Redbridge and the Indian sub-continent. By the late 1960s, communities (of Indian origin) in East Africa such as in Tanzania and Uganda began to migrate to the UK, settling in Redbridge. Today, this established community represents a core part of the Redbridge area. With photos provided by Tim Smith, the touring exhibition relies on the work by Greene during his recent trip to Gujarat, funded by the British Council. Over the past 6 months, Greene and his small, close-knit team have also conducted numerous talks and discussions with the Gujarat community in Redbridge. Greene describes this work as invaluable and thanks the community for being so welcome and friendly, sharing personal stories and family heirlooms/photos. Additional information was built from an archive of research dating back to 2005 where the museum did a similar exhibition on East African Gujarat immigrants.

35% of the population of Redbridge is from South East India so this exhibit holds significance within that segment of the demographic. Crucially however, Greene describes the passage of Gujarat immigrants to his borough as a “very Redbridge story” relevant to all aspects of the community. The strong historical links between two very different parts of the world is fascinating in its own right but is also important because it recognises the long-standing contributions made by the South East Indian community to Redbridge.