REDDITCH Borough and Bromsgrove District councils have joined forces to celebrate Black History Month.

The headline event this year is two showings of Oscar award winning 12 Years A Slave at the Artrix Theatre this Monday, October 6, and Tuesday, October 7.

The showing on the 6th is free, but tickets for Tuesday’s showing cost £6.50, £5.50 concessions. Both showings start at 7pm and require advanced booking.

If attending the free event, guests will need to arrive from 6.15pm and can enjoy a free, Caribbean style, light buffet.

On Saturday, October 18, there will be a free seminar at Redditch Town Hall organised by Redditch One World Link.

Seminar speakers will cover topics such as asylum seekers and local resident's experiences as well as the opportunity to ask questions and sample food and dancing from around the world.

Booking for this seminar is essential. Anyone interested needs to call Jackie Morgan on 01527 893408 or email morgan5ld@btinternet.com. A full seminar programme is available to download from the council’s website.

This will be followed by a fun, spooky Halloween Caribbean night at the Wildmoor Oak pub, in Wildmoor Lane, on October 30. Tickets cost £21 and include a free glass of rum punch on arrival, Caribbean music, a two course buffet and live entertainment.

There will also be Black History Month book displays at both Redditch and Bromsgrove Libraries throughout October.

Bromsgrove District Council leader Margaret Sherrey said: “I’d like to thank all the partners involved in putting on such fantastic events in honour of Black History Month - together we have organised a varied programme which will be enjoyed by many and continue to raise awareness of the positive contributions made to history and society by black and minority communities.”

Bill Hartnett, leader of Redditch Borough Council, added: “It is extremely important to celebrate the diversity of cultures in our community so I think the events for Black History Month are fantastic.

"They are a great way to have fun whilst still raising awareness of the positive contributions made to history and society by black and minority communities.”

For tickets for Artrix shows visit artrix.co.uk or call 01527 577330.

More information on all of the Black History Month events are available at http://tinyurl.com/ng75epx.