This weekend marks 70 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush. On 22 June 1948, 492 passengers mainly from Jamaica arrived at Tilbury Docks. The majority of the first passengers made their home in Lambeth and the streets around Coldharbour Lane in Brixton quickly became the nucleus of the Jamaican community in London.
Pathe news shown at Tea party in Lambeth Town Hall
Lambeth Town Hall hosted much of a new musical heritage and was the location of the famous No Colour Bar dance in 1955.
Lambeth council is spearheading the Windrush 70 campaign and commissioned the official anniversary design from young local Lambeth designers.
Sadly, this year’s celebrations have been accompanied by the Conservative government’s “hostile environment” policy which has made many of the Windrush generation feel unwelcome in their home.
This weekend is not only about recognising the contributions of the Windrush generation, against the backdrop of a hostile government, but we will also celebrate the importance of immigration and embrace our tolerance, openness and diversity.
- Details of all the events are being hosted by The Voice newspaper through this website: http://www.windrush70.com/
- For members of the Windrush generation who have immigration concerns, the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square SW2 1EF is hosting advice sessions http://love.lambeth.gov.uk/local-immigration-advice-sessions-brixton/
See Cllr Winifred’s blog about the importance of celebrating Windrush:http://www.lambeth-labour.org.uk/windrush_weekend
