Nottingham Windrush 75th Anniversary Celebrations

In the summer of June 1948, a large, steel-bound ship arrived at one of London’s major ports, Tilbury Docks, in Essex. This huge, behemoth of a ship was named the Empire Windrush.

On this ship stood hundreds of people, eager to step off and onto this unfamiliar land. These people left from a part of the world very different to the one they had arrived to. This first major wave of caribbean migrants continued throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Most of the passengers who stepped off the Windrush’s decks heralded from an area of the world known as The Caribbean. Stepping off this boat were men, women, children, mothers, fathers and young families. They became known as the Windrush Generation.

Many came for different reasons; some came looking for work, some came to discover adventure within an unfamiliar land; however, most came to England in order to support their families who were still back in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and many other islands within the Caribbean. These were the first of a generation that came to this country to help Britain recover from the debilitated state it had been left in after the Second World War. These were the factory workers, mechanics, cleaners, bus drivers and pastors along with a multitude of different other professions and became the foundation of hard-working Caribbean immigrants during the post-war 20th century.

It sadly took the shameful and wrongful treatment of this generation known as the so called ‘Windrush Scandal’ in April of 2018 to give prominence to their service over the decades before mainstream society fully understood and appreciated the immense contribution of the Windrush Generation to rebuild the country. In recognition of their contribution the government of the day created Windrush Day on 22nd June so every year we can celebrate, learn and remember the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation to the UK. This year 2023, is the 75th Anniversary when the ship HMT Empire Windrush came to these shores, it is a milestone moment to appreciate a generation that took so little and gave so much - we hope you will find a moment in this anniversary year to learn and appreciate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation .

Then on National Windrush Day Thursday 22nd June at 10.30am

Livestream only

Civic Service - The Council House

**The Windrush Flag ‘Standing on heir Shoulders’ will be raised**

Old Market Square, Nottingham

Due to demand and limited seating unfortunately seats for the Civic Service are at full capacity. You will be able to watch Livestream the service Binks Yard, Island Quarter, NG2 3JL (near the BBC roundabout off London Road) from 11am and join the celebrations continue from 1.00pm with food and live entertainment

FREE ENTRANCE

**The Windrush Generation flag ‘Standing on their Shoulders’ will be raised and the Council House lit up in colours to reflect the Windrush Generation**

Thank you to Windrush Generations Bedford for their great work they have been doing to get the Windrush Flag raised across the UK and abroad.

On National Windrush Day Thursday 22nd June 1pm -7pm

Lunch and Entertainment at Binks Yard, Island Quarter, NG2 3JL

(next to BBC Roundabout London Road)

Binks Yard is a fantastic new sumptuous dining and entertainment complex at The Island Quarter of Nottingham and has the largest outdoor video screen in the East Midlands - great location to celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation to Nottingham

Windrush Domino 75 Trophy Tournament

Enjoy the traditional and table slamming dominoes competition throughout the Windrush 75th Anniversary celebrations

Saturday 24th June from 2pm-9pm

Binks Yard, Island Quarter. Presentations on traditional Windrush food and an evening of showcasing talented local artists, DJs, singers, rappers, and poets.

Windrush Gospel Commemoration Service

Sunday 25th June at 3.30pm

Binks Yard, Island Quarter NG2 3JL

Giving thanks for the irrepressible Windrush Generation celebrating their resilience and immense contribution to the UK - featuring local choirs and gospel artists

Supporters and partners

**Thank you A.W. Lymn on being a major sponsor for this important occasion**

Thank you DG Cars Nottingham for being a major sponsor for this important occasion

Call out for Windrush Photographs:

As part of Nottingham Windrush 75th Anniversary Celebrations we would like to display a montage of photographs sharing the memories and representing the family, life, work and play of the Windrush Generations that will shown on the outdoor screen (the largest in the East Midlands) at Binks Yard from Thursday 22nd -Sunday 25th June. If you would like your photo to be part of this unique community event then please email your photograph to windrushnotts@gmail.com or WhatsApp to 07877233117. Please be aware that as the sender of the photograph you are responsible to seek consent of anyone in the picture you submit. All responsibility for issues of consent to show the photograph will solely be with sender of the photograph.

Funding of this project is entirely based on the kindness and goodwill of individuals and a few organisations willing to support the cause. If you could support with a little financial contribution then please do so on the Just Giving page below. Thank you for your generosity.

Other events happening as part of the Windrush 75 celebrations in Nottingham