This month we will explore the legacy of the great Mr Samuel “Billy” Ellis.Mr Samuel “Billy” Ellis

Spotlight On - In this section we shine a light on community leaders based at the Lloyd Leon Community Centre. We explore their journeys and their work at the centre.

This month we will explore the legacy of the great Mr Samuel “Billy” Ellis.

Mr Samuel “Billy” Ellis in the UK in 1965 aged 16, he settled in South London with his family. Like many others of his generation, he aimed to not only survive, but thrive in England. He managed to do so, by continuing some of his most loved Jamaican pastimes - one of which was Dominos. As one of the creators of The Lloyd Leon Community Center (LLCC), he played a pivotal role in growing the South London Domino fraternity.

As an active member of the managerial committee for the club, he and his colleagues paved the way for the Domino team they created to successfully compete nationally and internationally in Domino tournaments. They also developed a vibrant community hub for local residents to engage in social gatherings and large community events. The club became home to some of England's best professional Domino players, such as Mr Wesley Demercardo, Mr Wright aka Babbu, Mr George Palmer, Mr Ulette and many others, all of whom travelled extensively, competing in Barbados, St Lucia and Cuba.

Shortly after 1993, as time would have it, the team, unfortunately, began to see a reduction in numbers. As the members aged, some ventured into retirement, returning back home to Jamaica, some moved out of London, settling in leafy counties outside the city and others, unfortunately, passed away - due to ill health. This resulted in the team not only losing some of it’s best players, but also its ability to compete professionally - as it had been doing for a number of years since its inception in 1989. As a result, Mr Ellis was tasked with the exciting job of recruiting new members. Mr Ellis had connections all over the country. Many of which he established from the age of 16, as a result of playing cricket, when he arrived in the UK in 1965. These relationships granted him access to communities and neighbourhoods around the country and enabled him to invite both friends and family from all over the country to join the club.

One of his fondest memories is of one Sunday afternoon in May 1994. He organised a Dominos club open day and over 100 people turned up to play Dominos. Some beginners, some experts, but what was key, was the love and interest in the sport. Each person had the option to pay a fee of £5 for the afternoon or pay a fee of £20, giving them the opportunity to join the club as a member, where they could compete in tournaments and play games regularly at a reduced rate. The money collected went towards developing the clubs’ activities and maintaining a working structure for the organisation. Like a working men’s club, the centre now became a private social space for Caribbean people in London.

With a thriving new community of members, the Domino Club played weekly, allowing both members and one-time players to have fun in a relaxed environment. They also continued to compete in tournaments, nationally and internationally, allowing them to continue promoting the club and recruiting members. The club developed a positive reputation for being an asset to the community, it was well-received by local residents and even secured council funding for further development and community events.

Over the years, Mr Ellis has seen a substantial growth in both members and activities, in addition to gaining respect and notoriety from key stakeholders in central and local government. Him and his colleagues continue to create useful activities for the community to engage with. Fortnightly community members have benefited from the lawyers surgery, supporting residents with immigration cases and other legal matters. Most recently, the building has become home to Brixton’s Soup Kitchen (BSK), founded by Solomon Smith, a Brixton based service for the homeless and people in need.

Being a part of Lloyd Leon Centre managerial committee has been a fruitful journey Mr Ellis has acquired lifelong friends, a range of skills and most importantly a foundation to continue building and moving forward.

“There’s no them and us, it’s just us.” - Mr Samuel Billy Ellis