The Lonely Londoners By Sam Selvon

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Arrivals

20140106

Moses Aloetta, an old hand who has lived in London for ten years, goes to Waterloo station to meet another boat train of hopeful new arrivals from the West Indies.

They've come to find work and wealth in the capital of the mother country, but they meet with a cold welcome and bitter weather.

Despite this, Moses and his friends of the Windrush generation go about making new lives for themselves with vigour and panache, navigating the rules and regulations of their new home, lending support to each other when needed, learning to survive; it's not long before, as Moses puts it `the boys coming and going, working, eating, sleeping, going about the vast metropolis like veteran Londoners.`

Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.

Abridged in five parts by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths

Read by Don Warrington.

Producer: Sara Davies

*** THE LONELY LONDONDERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise.

Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change.

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950s classic of immigrant life in London.

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.

Job Hunting

20140107

Moses has met Sir Galahad off the boat train at Waterloo and sets about introducing him to his new home.

Galahad is keen to show he's not overawed by London, but a trip to the employment exchange leaves him in need of Moses' help.

Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.

Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths

Read by Don Warrington.

Producer: Sara Davies

*** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise.

Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change.

Galahad doesn't want to be overawed by London, but realises he needs help

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.

Aunt Tanty

20140109

Moses's friend Tolroy was horrified when his entire family turned up at Waterloo, wanting to enjoy his new prosperity in London.

He has eventually got them settled off the Harrow Road, and Aunt Tanty is rapidly becoming a well-known character in the area.

But she still hasn't ventured into the centre if the city by tube or bus, something that she decides to remedy.

Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.

Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.

Read by Don Warrington.

Producer: Sara Davies

*** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise.

Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change.

Tolroy's entire family turn up, wanting to enjoy his new prosperity.

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.

The Dark Side Of London

20140110

Galahad is getting on well in London.

In fact he sometimes feels like a king as he strolls through the park, three or four pounds in his pocket, sharp clothes on, off to meet a new girl under the clock in Piccadilly tube station.

But there's a darker side to the city, and a hungrier one, that prompts Galahad into a high-risk exploit.

Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.

Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.

Read by Don Warrington.

Producer: Sara Davies

*** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise.

Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change.

A darker side to London, and a hungrier one, prompts Galahad to take a high risk.

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.

Contemplation

20140110

As summer comes to the city, Moses's friend Harris organises a dance.

Meanwhile, Moses contemplates his life after ten years in London.

Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London.

Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.

Read by Don Warrington.

Producer: Sara Davies

*** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise.

Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change.

Harris organises a dance and Moses contemplates London life ten years on.

Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Arrivals	20140106	Moses Aloetta, an old hand who has lived in London for ten years, goes to Waterloo station to meet another boat train of hopeful new arrivals from the West Indies. They've come to find work and wealth in the capital of the mother country, but they meet with a cold welcome and bitter weather. Despite this, Moses and his friends of the Windrush generation go about making new lives for themselves with vigour and panache, navigating the rules and regulations of their new home, lending support to each other when needed, learning to survive; it's not long before, as Moses puts it `the boys coming and going, working, eating, sleeping, going about the vast metropolis like veteran Londoners.` Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London. Abridged in five parts by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths Read by Don Warrington. Producer: Sara Davies *** THE LONELY LONDONDERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise. Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change. Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950s classic of immigrant life in London. Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.
02	Job Hunting	20140107	Moses has met Sir Galahad off the boat train at Waterloo and sets about introducing him to his new home. Galahad is keen to show he's not overawed by London, but a trip to the employment exchange leaves him in need of Moses' help. Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths Read by Don Warrington. Producer: Sara Davies *** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise. Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change. Galahad doesn't want to be overawed by London, but realises he needs help Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.
03	Aunt Tanty	20140109	Moses's friend Tolroy was horrified when his entire family turned up at Waterloo, wanting to enjoy his new prosperity in London. He has eventually got them settled off the Harrow Road, and Aunt Tanty is rapidly becoming a well-known character in the area. But she still hasn't ventured into the centre if the city by tube or bus, something that she decides to remedy. Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths. Read by Don Warrington. Producer: Sara Davies *** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise. Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change. Tolroy's entire family turn up, wanting to enjoy his new prosperity. Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.
04	The Dark Side Of London	20140110	Galahad is getting on well in London. In fact he sometimes feels like a king as he strolls through the park, three or four pounds in his pocket, sharp clothes on, off to meet a new girl under the clock in Piccadilly tube station. But there's a darker side to the city, and a hungrier one, that prompts Galahad into a high-risk exploit. Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths. Read by Don Warrington. Producer: Sara Davies *** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise. Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change. A darker side to London, and a hungrier one, prompts Galahad to take a high risk. Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.
05	Contemplation	20140110	As summer comes to the city, Moses's friend Harris organises a dance. Meanwhile, Moses contemplates his life after ten years in London. Sam Selvon's rich and touching 1956 novel about the lives of a group of Caribbean immigrants in London. Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths. Read by Don Warrington. Producer: Sara Davies *** THE LONELY LONDONERS will be followed on 4 Extra by Colin MacInnes's vibrant novel about London, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, set just a couple of years later as racial tensions rise. Together, the two books offer an unforgettable portrait of a city and a society undergoing convulsive change. Harris organises a dance and Moses contemplates London life ten years on. Don Warrington reads Sam Selvon's 1950's classic of immigrant life in London.