A Portrait of Daisy Anna Lees and Aicha Lees Deme
by John Ferguson
Daisy Anna Lees’ home is the Old Hall, a former friary and now communal living space in East Bergholt, Suffolk. Born in London and transplanted to Suffolk at the age of one, her life has been one of movement—both physical and emotional. The small community of East Bergholt, where she now resides with her daughter Aicha, is a living, breathing part of her history. It's where her parents settled, and where life has taught her that every community, no matter how idyllic, has moments of both tension and reconciliation.
It was an encounter at the ICA that marked a turning point in Daisy's life—a first date that would forever connect her to the sounds and rhythms of West Africa. That evening, she attended a concert by Juldeh Camara, a West African musician, at the Caribbean Club. For Daisy’s date, Hamadou, who speaks five languages fluently, the music was a connection to his roots, a bridge between the past and the present. For Daisy, it soundtracked the beginning of a relationship that would blend cultures and bring new life into the world in the form of Aicha. Aicha, now 13, represents the future that Daisy has fought to secure—a future where her children can grow up surrounded by a community that reflects their heritage.
The Caribbean Club was a second home for Daisy and many others, but primarily a place where the black community in Ipswich could come together, feel free, and express themselves. Daisy recalls the club's atmosphere with warmth and nostalgia, describing how it was a sanctuary for many—a place of comfort and familiarity in a world that often felt unwelcoming.
‘There were some very important moments in my life at the ICA. Like my first date with Aicha's dad. It's a shame Aicha never visited the centre; it was closed before she could.’
The loss of the Caribbean Club, Daisy argues, took away a space that was vital to a community, a place where culture could be celebrated, where people could gather and feel a sense of belonging.
‘If you're going to close a building, knock it down and let it be a car park, but please, you know, find somewhere else…’
Daisy speaks not just of the past but of the future, of the need for spaces where communities can come together and have their voices heard. Daisy expresses a hope that there will be real, tangible action to create these spaces and to listen to the needs of the people.
As our conversation comes to a close, it's clear that Daisy's journey is not over. She continues to live, work, and advocate locally, drawing strength from the love and support she has received and cultivated. And as she looks to the future, she remains hopeful that the seeds she has planted will continue to grow, nurturing a new generation which is culturally aware, connected, and empowered.