Events across the Midlands to mark Windrush anniversary 75 years on
Watch ITV Central's special coverage of Windrush day in the West Midlands
It's 75 years this year since HMT Empire Windrush sailed into Tilbury Docks in Essex as part of plans to help rebuild Britain following the Second World War.
The ship brought the first post-war migrants from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands that were then British colonies to the UK in 1948.
There were more than 1,000 passengers on board that first sailing, three-quarters-of-a-century ago.
Over a 23-year period, an estimated half a million people made the 8,000 mile journey -encouraged to the UK to help rebuild a Britain battered by war.
A series of events are taking place across the Midlands to mark the milestone.
Watch ITV Central's special coverage of Windrush day in the East Midlands
Adult Windrush immigrants from the 1960s and early 1970s were usually given permanent right to reside stamps when they arrived on UK shores.
The 1971 Immigration Act confirmed that the Windrush generation had, and have, the right to live in the UK.
But they were not given any documents to demonstrate their status and the Home Office did not keep a record of those granted leave to remain.
In the decades since the Windrush generation had arrived in Britain, immigration law had changed as successive governments sought to get tough on border control.
As a result, some lost their jobs, their homes, and, according to a report into the scandal “their sense of identity and wellbeing”.
What does the Home Office say?
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "I and the whole of government remain absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal.
"Already we have paid or offered more than £72 million in compensation to those affected and we continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible, but we know there is more to do, and will work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated. "The Windrush Generation and their descendants have made a significant and lasting contribution to the UK’s cultural, social and economic life.
"The 75th anniversary of the historic arrival of HMT Empire Windrush is an opportunity to celebrate them and their families."
What is Windrush Day?
Windrush Day is a day to celebrate the Caribbean culture and those who came over 73 years ago today to help rebuild post-war Britain.
The event was established in 2018 in the wake the Windrush scandal.
BIRMINGHAM and WARWICKSHIRE
Flow Fusion open dance workshops Mondays, 8:10pm to 9:10pm 27 March to 31 August 2023. Open Caribbean and Contemporary Jazz Dance Workshops in the heart of Birmingham.
A Generational Groove To be confirmed June, July and August. A multigenerational music event.
Windrush 75 community event Saturday 17 June 2023. An information and social event for the whole Handsworth community.
Celebrating 75 anniversary of Windrush exhibition Monday 19 June 2023. Art exhibition.
Celebrating 75 anniversay of Windrush talk Tuesday 20 June 2023. Immigration talk
Blackstory Partnership Windrush Day Thursday 22 June 2023. Anniversary event to celebrate 75th anniversary of Windrush
Windrush Day 75: Lunch and Music event Thursday 22 June 2023. Lunch and live music with Birmingham Museums Trust
Their Journey, Our Heritage Project Launch: Windrush 75 Thursday 22 June 2023. Launch event for the OSCAR Birmingham Windrush project 'Their Journey, Our Heritage’
Windrush Saturday Summer School Programme Music Workshop Weekly 22 June to 17 August 2023. Summer School Music Workshop
Windrush stories Thursday 22 June 2023. Bringing Windrush elders and young people together
Windrush 75 community event Thursday 22 June 2023. An information and social event for the whole Nechells community
Leaning into the Wind exhibition Daily during the Library of Birmingham's opening times 22 June to 26 August 2023. Art exhibition to celebrate and explore Windrush 75
My grandparents, my parents and I. Daily 22 to 23 June 2023. Original stage production
Windrush jewellery month Daily 22 June to 22 July 2023. Celebrate, educate and raise awareness of the contribution of African Caribbean jewellers to the British Jewellery trade
Shades of Black and Friction Arts: Leaning into the Wind exhibition Saturday 24 June 2023. Art exhibition to celebrate and explore Windrush 75 - talk and question and answer
DANCERUSH 2023 Saturday 24 June 2023. Dance event to celebrate Windrush
Windrush Day 75: Stories and Crafts Saturday 24 June 2023. Arts, crafts and storytelling with Birmingham Museums Trust
Windrush celebration event Monday 26 June 2023. Warwickshire County Cricket Club are celebrating Windrush 75 with a cricketing twist
Celebrating 75 anniversary of Windrush Friday 30 June 2023. Film and documentary
Windrush conversations Friday 30 June 2023. Remember, celebrate and share memories of the Windrush experience
Celebrating 75 anniversary of Windrush Saturday 1 July 2023. Evening meal and entertainment
Windrush 75 in Aston Saturday 1 July 2023 Meal and entertainment Windrush 75 in Aston Saturday 8 July 2023. Film, talk and afternoon tea
Windrush conversations Saturday 15 July 2023. Remember, celebrate and share memories of the Windrush experience
Windrush 75 in Aston Saturday 29 July 2023. Fun in the park with artists and entertainment
Their Journey Our Legacy Saturday 29 July 2023. 'Their Journey Our Legacy' organised by the West Indian Chaplaincy
Family fun day Saturday 29 July 2023. Seaside family fun day
Windrush conversations Saturday 5th August 2023. Remember, celebrate and share memories the Windrush experience
Good Vibrations mini Caribbean festival Wednesday 9 August 2023. Dementia-friendly steel pan troupe performance
Windrush Celebration Evening with The Notebenders Big Band Saturday 19 August 2023. Evening celebration of Windrush through music
Amazing Grace Saturday 19 August 2023. Recordings of personal experiences of Windrush
Untold stories of the Windrush generation. Sunday 20 August 2023. Celebrating Windrush stories through a live performance
COVENTRY
Civic Reception is being planned for later in the summer for representatives of those first arrivals and their descendants.
Coventry will also be flying the Windrush Flag outside the Council House.
Windrush 75 Award Ceremony, Dinner & Dance June 24. Entertainment on the night from Pete Campbell, with DJMikey Dee and DJ Kat.
LEICESTER
Invited guests and community elders will join members of the consortium for a launch event at City Hall on National Windrush Day – Thursday 22 June.
Windrush Day Annual Lecture Thursday 22 June, 6pm, City Rooms, Hotel Street. Serendipity present the 2023 lecture by Gary Younge, academic, author, broadcaster and journalist. Tickets: £8/£10.
Opal 22’s 75th Windrush Anniversary Fete & High Tea Saturday 24 June, 1pm – 6pm, Museum Square. Free live music, including Ska and Mento plus dance and theatre performances. High Tea (£27.80per person) is bookable in advance, limited tickets available.
Opal 22’s Culture Clash: A Community Block Party Sunday 25 June, 1pm – 6pm, Museum Square. A celebration featuring performers from each corner of the city, workshops and food from around the world. Free admission.
Windrush Sounds with DJ Herdle White Sunday 25 June, 12pm - 1.30pm; 2pm - 3.30pm, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. Join former Radio Leicester presenter Herdle White in the Victorian Gallery for the sounds of the Windrush Generation. Free admission.
On Monday 26 June, staff at the African-Caribbean Centre will invite children from local schools to join them for a day of storytelling. Antiguan storyteller Baden Prince will entertain the young guests with his tales from 9.15am.
Inspirational Role Models From Tuesday 27 June, African Caribbean Centre, Maidstone Road. A series of panels featuring personal stories from the second and third Windrush generations go on display at the African Caribbean Centre. The six panels celebrate some of the inspirational descendants of the Windrush Generation who have gone on to become positive role models for young Black boys today. Free admission.
Libraries Across Leicester’s libraries, displays of Windrush-themed books will encourage people to read the stories of the Windrush Generation and their descendants.
Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS Opens Friday 30 June, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. A new exhibition will focus on people who have come to Britain from all over the world to help build and sustain the NHS since 1948. Created by the Migration Museum, the exhibition will use photography, film and oral histories to shine a light on those members of the Windrush Generation whose vital role in the NHS is often forgotten.
DERBY
Events to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush in Derby will be taking place on the 22 and 25 June 2023. Various locations across Derby.
Thursday 22 June. Windrush Flag raising 10.30am at St Peter Hilton Memorial Gardens, Corporation St, DE1 3AS
Windrush Stories 12.30-4pm at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, DE1 1BS. Listen to Dr. Panya Banjoko and Derby seniors share stories of their childhood as children from the Windrush era. Book free tickets via TicketSource For further details contact: Derby Museum & Art Gallery on 01332 641901 or email Support@derby.gov.uk
Sun 25 June: Service of thanksgiving 11am at the New Testament Church of God, Brighton Road DE24 8SZ FREE event, open to all. Service of thanksgiving 11.30am - 1pm at Assemblies of the First Born, Holy Trinity Church, London Road, Derby. Invited local dignitaries include MPs, councillors, local community organisations, and representation from the High Commissioners of the Caribbean nations.
Windrush Reception: A celebration of the history and contribution the Windrush Generation and their descendants have brought to Derby and the country. From 2pm - 6pm at Derby West Indian Community Centre, Carrington Street.
NOTTINGHAM
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 in Old Market Square, Nottingham
National Windrush Day Thursday 22nd June 1pm -7pm. Lunch and Entertainment at Binks Yard, Island Quarter, NG2 3J
Windrush Gospel Commemoration Service. Sunday 25th June at 3.30pm. Binks Yard, Island Quarter, NG2 3JL
June 22: 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Exhibition at Mansfield Museum celebrates the post-war contribution made by the Windrush generation and black history in the town. It has been co-curated with the local Caribbean community who have loaned many items of clothing and homewares from the 1950s. The project collects oral histories from local people of the Windrush generation and their descendants. The Mansfield-born children of these families, many now grand-parents themselves, are featured the oral history videos.