Legacy in Action: Black History Made Local

Honouring the Life, Legacy, and Lasting Impact of Michael Hall and the Hall Family

Welcome to the official website for Legacy in Action: Black History Made Local — a special Black History Month event celebrating three generations of Black British contribution, rooted in the heart of Buckingham.

This story begins nearly a century ago with Ada Louise Curtis, a determined young woman who left Jamaica in 1924 — decades before the Windrush generation — to start a new life in England. Her courage, independence and resilience laid the foundation for a family legacy that would eventually reach Buckingham, and leave a lasting mark on its community.

This website was originally launched last year to honour Michael “Mike” Hall, Ada’s son and one of Buckingham’s most respected community figures, following his passing. Alongside his wife Deirdre, Mike ran The New Inn Pub in Buckingham for over 25 years — transforming it from a struggling venue into a thriving, welcoming hub where all walks of life were celebrated.

From pub quizzes to jazz nights, community fundraisers to pensioners’ lunches, and even the town’s first internet café, The New Inn became a symbol of everything Mike stood for: openness, connection, and local pride.

Today, this site continues that legacy — not just to remember, but to celebrate how Black history lives and breathes through everyday people in towns like Buckingham.