Article also featured on BBC Leeds website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2009/06/05/people_arthur_france_feature.shtml
Arthur France has become not just a figurehead for the black community in Leeds, but for Afro-Caribbeans across the UK. His work has been celebrated with multiple awards, his initiative has produced society-changing projects and his desire to improve standards in the community means he is heralded as a hero by those who have grown up influenced by his optimism and leadership.
"I have always been very proactive, and back in the '60s when I was a member of the Afro-Caribbean and Asian Society I wanted to do as much as possible to celebrate our heritage and background."
Arthur grew up in Nevis, one of the Leeward Islands, moving to the Chapeltown area of Leeds when he was 22 and he's stayed in the area ever since. Despite being away from the Caribbean for over 50 years, Arthur remains sentimental and passionate about his roots.
"In 2007, I was invited to do a presentation about the Leeds Carnival's 40th Anniversary. As it was the first one to ever take place in Europe and attracts thousands and thousands of people each year, there is always a lot of interest in it."
"However that year also marked the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. As the event is a celebration of freedom I felt it was more necessary to talk about that, rather than just the Carnival itself."
Arthur has always had this belief in following what he believes. After establishing the United Caribbean Association (UCA) in 1964 with his close friends George Archibald and Cedric Clarke (who later became the first black Councillor in Leeds) Arthur used his role as leader to take on the education system. After setting up supplementary after-school classes at the city's newly opened black youth club, residents were able to teach local children in English, Maths and History.
"The system wasn't suited to children from our culture so we felt we had to do something ourselves to give our kids as much chance as possible of advancing their education. In the end, all the parents withdrew the children from Chapeltown Primary School, which resulted in a new Headteacher being brought in."
By this stage, Arthur wasn't just tackling social agendas, but political ones as well. In 1969 he helped establish a national umbrella organisation after the Immigration Bill which he saw as unsympathetic to the black community.
"I was probably more of a Malcolm X character back in the day, very out-spoken in my beliefs. Any time I am told I can't do something, it just energises me to try harder. But I am a realist, I don't enjoy arguing, I enjoy discussions. I'm an optimist and believe a resolution can always be made - it's through these tactics that real change comes about and this has been crucial to helping the community of Chapeltown. Many now say I'm more in line with Martin Luther King - that radical side of me has calmed a little, but the drive still remains."
Now 74, Arthur still travels around the country to attend many of the other Carnivals established since the inaugural Chapeltown celebration in 1967.
"The Carnival is very unique and a beautiful way to showcase our culture. It nearly didn’t happen though. I spent three years researching it on my own and then was thrown out the UCA meeting after presenting my ideas - they all thought I was mad!"
Yet again Arthur persisted and the Leeds Carnival has set the precedent for many similar celebrations across Europe. As a result, black communities around the country look at Leeds with jealousy and admiration of all that has been achieved in the city.
"We're the only organisation in the country to have these projects, I guess that's why we've attracted so much attention over the years."
This 'attention' has come in the form of various awards, from an MBE in 1997 to travelling to Downing Street to meet Tony Blair in recognition of his valuable contribution to the local community. Although, he's now in his 70s, Arthur still has the energy of a man half his age and retains a belief in the ability of a community to help itself.
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