Today (Thursday 22 June) marks 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK with hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean. Stepping off the boat were children, mothers and fathers who became known as the Windrush generation Nottingham is a diverse and welcoming city and families arriving here from the Caribbean have made a rich and lasting contribution to our city. A range of events are taking place in Nottingham throughout the month to mark the occasion. These include: Thursday 22 June – Civic Service Livestream from 10.30am at Binks Yard, Island Quarter, NG2 3JL (near the BBC roundabout off London Road) Thursday 22 June – Lunch & Entertainment – Binks Yard, Island Quarter at 1pm Thursday 22 June – 1:30pm – 3:30pm – Industrial Voices of Windrush Nottinghamshire by historian Norma Gregory on Thursday 22nd June at Mapperley Plains Recreation & Social Club, Plains Road, Mapperley NG3 5 RH. Also online event Saturday 24 June – Windrush Cuisine & International Celebration Binks Yard Island Quarter – 2pm-9pm Sunday 25 June – Commemorative Gospel Service – Binks Yard, Island Quarter at 3.30pm Monday 26 June – Windrush Exhibition Friday 21 July & Saturday 22 July – Echoes of the front room exposed – Bonnington Theatre Echoes of the Front Room Exposed! – The Bonington (boningtontheatre.co.uk) |
City Council deputy leader, Cllr Audra Wynter, said: “This is a chance to come together and celebrate this shared history and a great opportunity to thank the Windrush Generation for overcoming great sacrifice and hardship and celebrate their descendants who have gone on to lead the field across Nottingham’s public life, in business, the arts and sport. “It is important to keep their legacy alive for future generations and celebrate this vital part of shared history and heritage. “As the City Council’s first female black Deputy Leader, I am looking forward to celebrating my own heritage throughout June and joining friends and partners, including Reverend Clive Foster, who recently received an MBE for services to the Windrush Generation.” One of the first exhibitions at Nottingham Castle on its opening day is a collection of objects that help us as a city to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day. Entitled ‘70 Objeks & Tings,’ it has been brought to the Castle by ‘Museumand, the National Caribbean Heritage Museum,’ in collaboration with Nottingham City Museums exhibition team. The exhibition is a fun and inspiring way to learn more about the Windrush Generation through the voices and collected objects of British-Caribbean families. The exhibition will be available to view from the opening day on Monday (June 26) until 5 November. Along with all the other galleries, it will be included in the admission price of £1 for the opening day, or £12 for adults allowing year-round access, with accompanied kids aged 15 and below going free. More here |