A DYNAMIC display celebrating black history in the Thames Valley has filled an East Oxford venue to celebrate five months since the launch of a new magazine.

Free publication The Dub, which is produced in Oxford by local contributors, was launched in June to focus on the Roots Reggae subculture in the region.

Artwork including paintings, sketches, pottery and photography from the magazine will be on display at Fusion Arts until the end of the week.

Founder Natty Mark Samuels said: "I couldn't have asked for a better response to The Dub. It has been going great.

"There are more and more people emerging as journalists, writers and artists; it's a wonderful channel.

"It's produced locally and printed locally. Even though it's for the wider Thames Valley, the engine room is Oxford."

Since the publication first launched it has morphed to include poetry, essays and reviews, African book recommendations and a 'Culinary Dub' cookery section.

Mr Samuels, a youth worker, added: "It's still based on Roots Reggae but there's a certain amount of expansion. There's more articles about general black culture.

"We are trying to incorporate as much as we can about black history so that the general public can appreciate it; it's something we enjoy sharing."

This month's issue, which is available at venues including Truck Store in Cowley Road and the Communi-Tea cafe in Blackbird Leys, features a dedication from Blackbird Leys long-distance running legend Paul Brackett and the memories of well-known faces from East Oxford and the Leys on their first encounters with reggae.

Keen artist Danny Smith, 42, who grew up in the Leys and has Down's Syndrome, contributed a series of self-portraits now on display at Fusion Arts.

He said: "It's mostly paintings and drawings; I have done a lot. The Dub has a good message and it will be useful. I like reggae and I love Bob Marley."

A fundraiser in Witney to help cover the costs of the magazine, which was printed at Parchment in Crescent Road, will be held this Saturday (5/11).

From 12pm until 6pm all are welcome to listen to live performances at Rapture in the Woolgate Centre, with all donations going to The Dub.

For more information or to read this month's issue visit rastaites.com/dub-november-issue/