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Bristol Bus Boycott pioneer given honorary degree
On November 8, 1965 a landmark piece of legislation was introduced.
The Race Relations Act 1965 was the first piece of legislation in the UK to prohibit racial discrimination.
It banned racial discrimination in public places and made the promotion of hatred on the grounds of “colour, race, or ethnic or national origins” an offence.
is needed now More than ever
The foundations for the Act were laid in Bristol with the Bus Boycott of 1963.
The Bus Boycott was triggered when Guy Bailey, a Jamaican teenager, was refused employment as a bus driver at the Bristol Omnibus Company due to their colour-bar.
Guy Bailey after attending a civic ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Bristol Bus Boycott – photo: Elaine Robinson
A group of civil rights activists led a peaceful campaign against the racist practices of the bus company that lasted for four months.
In the face of growing public opposition, Bristol Omnibus Company finally relented and ended the “colour bar” on August 28, 1963, the same day Dr Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech.
The Bristol Bus Boycott has since been hailed as a watershed moment in British history.
Guy Bailey, who was instrumental in the Boycott, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol.
Bailey received his degree on July 23 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to race equality, creating communities, and supporting underserved communities.
On receiving his degree, he said: “I am truly honoured to receive this Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree and would like to thank all those responsible for making this award possible. I accept it with pride.
“I will never forget this day and would like to say, remember, self-care is not selfish, it’s essential. Thank you.”
Described as a “legendary change-maker, affordable housing champion and one of Bristol’s finest sons” by UWE Bristol’s Dr Roger Griffith, Bailey moved from Jamaica to Bristol in 1962 to live with his aunt, as his father thought he would receive a better education in England.
In 1965 Guy Bailey co-founded The Bristol West Indian Cricket Club (BWICC), for which he amassed an array of trophies as a batsman.
He secured £950,00 from the Lottery Fund and the Sports Council for the Rose Green Centre, the Club’s home, which is still widely used today.
Dr Roger Griffth (right) described Guy Bailey as a “legendary change-maker, affordable housing champion and one of Bristol’s finest sons” – photo: UWE Bristol
In the late 70s, Guy became the first Black education welfare officer in Bristol and one of the first Black governors for inner-city schools, a post he held for 25 Years.
In 1986 he earned his social work degree at Bristol Polytechnic (now UWE Bristol) and was employed by Bristol City Council as a youth worker.
In 1960s Britain discrimination was rife. Black and Asian people who had migrated from British colonies in search of better opportunities were confronted with signs saying “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs.”
They were refused loans to buy homes.
Overcrowding, poor housing and discrimination were common in the rented sector.
Bailey was ultimately able to buy his own home before forming United Housing Association (now Brighter Places) in the 1980s.
The Association began by providing accommodation for Black elders with care staff before becoming a social housing provider for many in the St Pauls and Easton areas.
Guy Bailey took redundancy in 1997.
He then started a travel agency in Stapleton Road, Easton, but with his skills it doubled as an advice centre for education, housing, and crime prevention for the local community.
Freedom of the City status was given to Bailey, alongside other leaders of the Bristol Bus Boycott, at a full council meeting on December 13 2022.
2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott.
To celebrate the event a civic ceremony was organised at St Mary Redcliffe Church where Guy Bailey was congratulated for his contributions to the civil rights movement that paved the way for Race Relations Act 1965.
Main photo: UWE
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