Wenty Newland – A chronicle by Micha Tomlinson

b. 1951: Growing up in Jamaica

Wentworth “Wenty” Newland was born in 1951 in the parish of St Ann, Jamaica. Raised in a family of farmers, he developed an early appreciation for the island’s fruits and vegetables, along with a sharp eye for freshness and flavour—qualities that would later set the standard in his shop on Upton Lane.

1967: From St Ann to London

In 1967, at the age of nine, Wenty boarded a flight from Jamaica to England, leaving behind the bright colours and warmth of the island he knew so well.  The journey was full of anticipation, but his first impressions on arrival were strikingly different.

Setting up business

Memories of his Jamaican home—especially its food and produce—planted the seed for a business idea: bringing the flavours of home to East London’s growing Caribbean community.

And it wasn’t just the late-night dance parties—Wenty’s car boot sale also gained traction during the daytime. A 6-year-old Bianca Tomlinson, Micha’s mother, would join the ride. Micha’s grandmother Charmaine shared memories of the time.

1985: Wenty’s Tropical Foods

By the mid-1980s, Micha’s granddad acquired a permanent space for his business – essentially becoming one of Newham’s first suppliers of Caribbean produce.

In his business ventures, Wenty benefitted from the support of his family – in later years, especially that of his children. When their father started to struggle with health issues, they made sure to step in.

2024: “A parade fit for a king”

Wentworth “Wenty” Newland passed away on 12 June 2024. His farewell transformed the streets of Forest Gate into a carnival of remembrance, or: “a parade fit for a king” – as granddaughter Micha reminisces.

Her image shows the horse-drawn carriage draped in Jamaican colours making its way down Upton Lane, amid crowds of mourners and reggae beats.

Preserving Legacy: Present and Future

After their father’s passing, Micha’s auntie Laverne and her mother, Bianca, took on the reins of the shop – supported by their brothers, children, and mother, Charmaine.

Micha too picks up weekly shifts – now confidently directing and assisting customers, she recalls her first time jumping in as a fourteen-year-old.

What began for Micha as a way to earn extra pocket money for trips to Westfield with friends has grown into something much deeper. Looking at the shop today, she sees it as a gathering place and a pillar of the community—one she feels a responsibility to keep alive.