Trinity Community Insititute

It's 1978 - The community group now in charge of Trinity is the Bristol Caribbean Community Enterprise group (BCCE). Over the year, community events take place with a strong Caribbean influence - sound clashes, dub, reggae nights and the start of Trinity's sound-system heritage.

In their annual report of 1978, BCCE chairman writes "our aims and objectives are clear - a centre for youth and community activities; the philosophy is a multi-racial multi-cultural centre. The project is part of this community, and if it is to progress then the community must believe in it." (As quoted in Venue Magazine, no.70).

1 July 1978 - 'Trinity Community Institute' as it was then named - is officially launched, with a grand opening to coincide with St Paul's African-Caribbean Carnival to reflect the group's drive to embrace and celebrate Caribbean culture. The Centre is used every evening of the Festival week.

20 September 1978 - Official notice is given by the Church Commissioners that an Order in Council came into operation on 21st December 1977, allowing Holy Trinity building and its land to be used as a community centre.

October 1978 - The Easton Christian Family Centre newsletter contains an update on Trinity Church building: "The old Holy Trinity Church has been taken over by the Caribbean Community Association, who are a division of the West Indian Community. They have made extensive alterations, putting in a stage in the main auditorium for a theatre, and changing the side aisles into separate small rooms. The vestries have been changed into offices. They are currently negotiating plans to turn the graveyard into a large play area including tennis courts."