Labour’s joint spokesperson for tourism, equalities, communities and culture, Councillor Amanda Grimshaw on Windrush Day 2021, when Labour are calling for an Independent Compensation Scheme for victims of the Windrush scandal:

Today the 22^nd June is the 4th national Windrush Day, which marks the 73 years since the SS Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks, just east of London, bringing with it migrants from the Caribbean and changing British culture forever.

This year due to lockdown and Covid restrictions I have been unable to attend any events to celebrate Windrush Day. However, in 2019 I was lucky enough to be invited to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, where this important anniversary was marked with a Windrush Tea Party, at which the contribution of the Windrush generation to British history and culture was celebrated.

Author Colin Grant read from his book Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation before leading a discussion with two locally-based members of this generation: Dr Bert Williams MBE and Shirley Williams. Poet Akila Richards gave a Windrush-inspired spoken-word performance.

The event, which was organised by Royal Pavilion & Museums’ BME Heritage Network, was the first in a programme of celebratory events supported by Brighton & Hove City Council with funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

I really do look forward to next year’s Windrush Day when hopefully I can attend another amazing event.

To find online and other events this year, go to: https://www.windrushday.org.uk/

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Image: Creative Commons