Wenty Newland remembered one year on from his passing

LONDON:

A memorial service was held last month in Forest Gate, east London one year after the passing of Wentworth Newland known affectionately as ‘Wenty’, entrepreneur and founder of Wenty’s Tropical Foods.

Wenty Newland continues to be fondly remembered by the community that he so loving served. His store – Wenty’s Tropical Foods – was featured in the ‘ Brick Lane’ music video by Turno ft. D Double E Morrisson and Catching Cairo which premièred earlier this year on YouTube.

He was born in St Ann Jamaica, one of nine children, to parents Rupert and Leithe May Newland. In 1967 he came to England and quite early knew he had entrepreneurial skills. He had a bed linen stall in Petticoat Lane, east London and eventually opened Wenty’s Tropical Foods in 1986. Customers to Wenty’s Tropical Foods include award winning musician and actor Kano, rapper Wiley and professional boxer Anthony Yarde.

Newland was well-respected and loved by everyone who knew him personally, whether as a customer or visitor to Wenty’s Tropical Foods. He helped the local church with food and also supported a number of people by giving them work at the shop, Sunday market, festivals and carnival.

In July 2024 in Forest Gate, east London Wenty Newland was given a grand sendoff that was befitting for a man who meant so much to his community and family. The horses were draped in the Jamaican flag with green, black and yellow feathers as a nod and acknowledgement to his Jamaican roots.

A van covered in country flags including that of; St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Dominica played music and dispersed bubbles as mourners, wearing touches of green, gathered outside Wenty’s Tropical Foods.

During the service, tributes were read on behalf of The Jamaican High Commission, and Jamaica-born entrepreneur, chef, musician and Reggae Reggae, creator Levi Roots, who sent a personal tribute.

Speaking on behalf of Wenty’s family, his daughter Bianca told The Weekly Gleaner at his memorial last month: “Dad worked extremely hard. He set the foundation. He had such a passion and drive for the shop and he wanted to ensure that his customers had a taste of home and it was of good quality.

“We are keeping his legacy going by keeping the shop up and running – ensuring that we have the best quality foods in order to maintain Wenty’s high standards. We want to modernise the shop. We want to be current but keeping the authenticity of Wenty’s.

“We are so grateful for all of the customers who are now friends of Wenty’s Tropical foods. Their custom and loyalty has kept Wenty’s going for nearly 40 years. Over the year since his passing, we have seen three generations of families shopping at Wenty’s. We are proud to be serving the community of Forest Gate, east London.”

Zhenreenah Muhxingah is a poet and loyal customer because Wenty’s Tropical Foods stocks hard-to-find ingredients like breadfruit, callaloo, green bananas, even carbolic soap, and fresh herbs.

Muhxingah, who was born in Kingston Jamaica, travelled on her own to England at the age of 11.

She told The Weekly Gleaner about her connection with Kingston Jamaica, the heartbeat of Jamaica. “Being born there means my roots run deep with rich culture, rhythm, and resilience. From the energy of Half-Way Tree to the sounds of ska and reggae echoing through Trench Town, Kingston’s spirit leaves a lasting mark on my culture.”

She wrote a poem about Wenty’s Tropical Foods to, “honour Wenty’s heritage, who brought culture across the sea, or maybe simply, (because) it made me feel at home in a way nothing else in east London does.”

She added: “Wenty’s isn’t just a shop. It’s a portal. It’s a legacy for his children to carry on his hard work. It’s a place where everyone not just Jamaican, but all Caribbean people can come together and get their homeland produce. Wenty’s shop is also where ... Newham east London residents can hear all sorts of stories from back a yard.”