Edmonton Green Library receives award for World War One Remembrance work 

The library, run by Enfield Council, partnered Tottenham Hotspur football club and Big Ideas to host class visits for more than 100 primary school children to focus on the life of Walter Tull. He was the first black man to become an officer in the British army and one of England’s first black footballers, playing for Spurs.

The library received a certificate of commendation awarded by Big Ideas and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for its undertaking.

Big Ideas specialise in delivering community and education projects and provided the materials for the class visits.

Cllr Achilleas Georgiou, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Staff at Edmonton Green Library greatly deserve this commendation for their efforts to educate primary school children about Walter Tull, cultivating an understanding of the historical context surrounding the diverse lives and sacrifices of individuals who served in World War One.

“The library’s work with the borough’s children was a significant way to help shape their perception of World War one, allowing them to understand an important part of British history in a way that makes it both personal and relevant to themselves.”

The visits aimed to promote social inclusion and historical awareness of major people who fought for Britain within the setting of last year’s centenary of the World War One Armistice.

The children were given access to books and materials about Walter Tull and the importance of black British history in the early twentieth century.

Cllr Georgiou continued: “It is important to shed light on this extraordinary British officer and footballer and to recognise his contribution to British history.

“It is great that Walter Tull’s accomplishments in the face of adversity were inspiring for the children, particularly appealing to the young boys who engaged deeply with him as a heroic footballer and officer.”