Story of Greenham Ugandan Asians to be broadcast as BBC radio drama series

Reading-based RABBLE Theatre are to produce a new radio drama series with BBC Radio Berkshire to mark 50 years since the expulsion of the Ugandan Asians in 1972 and the subsequent reception that many received in Greenham, Berkshire.

The Newcomers is a tale of cruelty, bravery, resilience and hope developed by RABBLE’s associate writer, Beth Flintoff - who grew up in Newbury - and Pragna Hay, from Headley, whose lived experience will be the core of the story.

After being expelled from their beautiful home in Uganda by the dictator Idi Amin, Jyoti and her family are sent to the resettlement camp at Greenham Common, where they have to learn how to rebuild their lives in a strange land.

“We are absolutely delighted to be developing this important project. The contributions that the Ugandan Asian community have made to UK life are as amazing as their story is. It’s a privilege to be involved,” said RABBLE executive director Dani Davies.

The play will be aired in October.

RABBLE Theatre www.rabbletheatre.com

Powered by a vision of building a place where every person is proud to say “This is my home”, RABBLE is an inclusive, independent women-led theatre company & CIO based in Reading. With a purpose to make people proud of who they are and where they come from, they have worked over a 10-year history to become central to the region’s cultural life. Primarily ACE funded, they stage unforgettable local stories, inspired by and created with the area's diverse community and are recognised for elevating local cultural identity.