The story of Ludwig “Lud” Ramsey can be traced through several different forms of public service. He has served in the Royal Air Force, worked as a firefighter, represented residents in local government and helped children understand Black history. Today, he is best known in Chesterfield as the chair of the African and Caribbean Community Association.
To the people who know him, however, Lud is not defined by a list of positions. He is the person who welcomes newcomers, organises activities, turns ideas into action and makes time for those around him.
That sense of welcome is remembered by the friend who nominated him for Honouring Black Britain. When the nominator and their companion first arrived at the African and Caribbean Community Association in 2023, Lud made sure they felt that they belonged.
The association, known locally as ACCA, provides a meeting place for African and Caribbean people and the wider Chesterfield community. Its activities include luncheon clubs, wellbeing sessions and social groups, as well as Black History Month events, Windrush commemorations, workshops and school visits.
As chair, Lud helps bring those different parts of the organisation together. Some activities celebrate culture and history; others provide practical support, reduce loneliness or simply give people somewhere friendly to meet. All of them reflect the belief that a stronger community is built through regular contact and shared experience.
Education has become an especially important part of Lud’s work.
He has visited schools across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire to speak about Black history, racism, equality and the value of living in a diverse community. Working with the Chesterfield FC Community Trust and ACCA, he has helped deliver workshops about the Windrush generation, Black role models and the experiences of people who challenged racial discrimination.
Lud believes that equality education must begin in schools. Children who are given the opportunity to understand different histories and communities are better prepared to recognise prejudice and treat diversity as a strength.
His approach is personal as well as historical. During school visits, Lud has shared stories from his own life and career, including his experiences as a firefighter and even footage from appearances on Gladiators and Ninja Warrior. These details help children see Black history not as a distant subject confined to textbooks, but as something connected to people living and working around them.
The response from pupils has been memorable. Following one visit, a Year 6 pupil described Lud as “an amazing person who has worked hard to get where he is”. Teachers also reported that his visit had left a lasting impression on their classes.
Lud’s ability to lead has been shaped by his earlier service in the RAF and the fire service—careers requiring discipline, responsibility and the ability to remain calm when others need support. He has carried those qualities into his voluntary work and his time in local government.
As a councillor in Derbyshire, Lud brought another Black voice into local decision-making. Representation at that level matters because councils make choices that affect people’s daily lives, from public services and community facilities to education and local support. His presence also gave younger Black residents an example of someone from their community taking a seat at the table.
The work led by Lud and his fellow volunteers at ACCA has been put forward for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The nomination reflects the time and care required to maintain an organisation that people can rely upon—not only for major celebrations, but throughout the year.
Lud’s achievements have taken him into some unusual places, from military service and firefighting to television challenges and council meetings. Yet the work for which he is most warmly recognised often happens quietly: greeting someone at a community event, arranging a school visit or ensuring that an older resident has company and a hot meal.
In Chesterfield, Ludwig Ramsey has helped create a space where African and Caribbean heritage is celebrated and where people from different backgrounds can meet one another with greater understanding.
His nomination came from someone who experienced that welcome personally. It is a simple but important measure of his work: people remember how Lud made them feel when they walked through the door.