As we celebrate 75 years since the arrival of the first wave of pioneers from the Caribbean who landed on Britain’s shores, this edition examines some of the deeper historical issues that run as a fine invisible thread through the generations, impacting the lives of many Windrush descendants.
It was 75 years ago that the first significant Caribbean migrant voyage from Kingston Jamaica took place on the ship aptly named HMT Empire Windrush.
A vessel captured from the Germans during World War II and renamed, according to tradition, after a tributary in the picturesque county of Gloucestershire. Brittannia had ruled the waves for centuries and the very people whom they had colonised and enslaved during this “glorious” era were the ones enlisted to support the war effort. The war was over and the people of the tiny Caribbean islands, once awash with sugar plantations, the crystallised gold of the day, were ready to leave in search of a better life at the heart of the Empire.
In May 1948, when the opportunity arose as the half empty troopship HMT Empire Windrush docked in Kingston Harbour, many scrambled to raise the £28.10s
required to make the journey. Dressed in their best, as was the norm when travelling in those days, those who managed to obtain a ticket boarded and waved a teary good-bye to loved ones. Many had hoped to return within 5 years with enough money to start a new life, whilst others, especially former soldiers, were eager to embark on a new life.
Today these people have created an indisputable legacy, having overcome more that 7 decades of tribulation and oppression. They can proudly lay claim to being an important part of modern British history. Having faced enormous difficulties, through their perseverance there is now a wealth of culture and richness they brought with them to this country. They and their descendants stand with pride as the men, women and children who made pioneering journeys during the middle of the last century to Britain which they now call home are honoured.
HRH King Charles III has made no secret of his plans for an allinclusive Britain. The Coronation in May was demonstrative of this and the pomp and ceremony included many leading figures from the Afro-Caribbean community in Britain. This year, 2023, Windrush 75 is truly a Jubilee Year for the many who came between 1948 and 1971 as well as their descendants.
Ten newly commissioned portraits have been undertaken by artists personally selected by the King.
A very contemporary exhibition with an eclectic mix of styles, background information of the lives of the artists and sitters will be televised during the Windrush Season by the BBC.
The exhibition, unveiled by HRH King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace in June, will become part of the Royal Collection. It will be on view at the Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh from 22nd June until mid-September and then at The National Portrait Gallery in London. The accompanying book with glossy photographs including portraits and details of the sitters and artists is available to purchase from: https://www. rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/windrush-portraits-of-apioneering-generation/palace-of-holyroodhouse King Charles said “…in this special anniversary year, I wanted to pay my own heartfelt tribute to the role they have played in our nation’s story.”
The poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, captures for me the resilience and courage of the Windrush Generation. The poem features a conversation between a mother and her son where she explains the journey that she has been on. She does not sugar-coat her experiences and likens it to walking on a staircase that is certainly not beautifully carpeted, and neither is it inviting nor welcoming. She does however press on, keeping her end goal in mind. She navigates the darkness, anticipates what might be waiting for her around the hidden corners, deals with the splinters in the uncarpeted areas and manages to keep going. Let’s raise a glass to that generation in a spirit of thankfulness for engineering their own survival so that the generations to come may have the opportunity, not only to learn from them, but to thrive. We owe so much to them and commit to keep on going ready to hand the ‘baton’ over to the generation that follows.
The delightfully apricot coloured Dannahue® rose is the latest English rose that was presented at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 by David Austin and is named after Danny Clarke The Black Gardener. He is also cofounder of Grow2Know which made headlines again this year with The Green Gap garden - the smallest ever presented. The organisation continues to raise ecological and environmental awareness alongside social issues.
The West India Docks were built in 1799 to ease the burgeoning trade on the London Docks. Who would have envisaged that 150 years later, people who were once classified as assets, and had represented a significant part of the British economy for more than 300 years, would be invited to come to live and work in Britain. Now celebrated as the Windrush Generation, the arrival of the first wave of migrants at Tilbury Docks on 22nd June 1948 signified a turning point, changing the face of Britain forever. Today The Bank of England has acknowledged its highly significant role in facilitating the slave trade - including the fact that they also owned plantations in the West Indies.
Once slavery was entirely abolished, so great were the compensatory payouts that were made through a series of complex structures, that the government had to take a loan to cover the debt. The loan took nearly 200 years to repay and was finally settled in 2015.
Churches and Christian organisations from across Britain have once again come together to host a service at Southwark Cathedral London Bridge London SE1 9DA, on 22 June
2023 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush. The service is free but you need to register to secure a place if you wish to attend.
Visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/windrush-75-a-nationalservice-of-thanksgiving-tickets-630473261497
Organised by Churches Together the service will be live streamed here: www.youtube.com/ctbimedia
Whose house is it anyway?
Convened by activist, historian and social commentator Patrick Vernon and his steering group is an organisation with over 250 members. Launched in 2022 at the Houses of Parliament, all of the members have organised events, workshops, activities and useful information to celebrate Windrush 75 nationally. A comprehensive documentation of many organisations and individuals, there is something for everyone.
See some of the events by visiting the website: www.windrush75.org/events or just simply get involved.
Sustainable self-sufficiency was a necessity for survival
Contrary to the norm of the era for many British people, most West Indians owned their own houses. This was often facilitated by a “pardner” weekly saving system whereby a group of people would pool almost their entire wages, retaining just enough to live on. They would take it in turns to draw the full amount each week which often amounted to a very tidy sum - certainly enough to pay the required deposit for a house - in those days. They would then let individual rooms to new immigrants. Restrooms were often outside and kitchen areas on a communal landing were not uncommon.
China L’one winner of the Business Excellence Award founded We Run the World Female DJ Agency in 2012. With a portfolio of leading female DJs they have provided services across the globe including the Women’s Euros 2022 at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 people.
Did you know that until 1971, when the British currency was decimalised, the guinea was still used as a monetary unit? Its value was one pound and one shilling (£1/1s) or 21 shillings. More profound: the guinea was named after the African country Guinea on the coast of West Africa, because that was where much British gold was taken from under the patronage of the Royal African Company who brought the West African gold that made the coin to London. The guinea came into existence in 1663 under King Charles II. As well as trading in African gold, The Royal African company were heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade so out of this little known country both gold and human lives were traded.
Book:
Jamaicans in Britain: A Legacy of Leadership, co-authored, curated and edited by Joy Sigaud, is still available. The book is packed with over 500 biographies, back-stories, information and commentaries, plus a list of all who boarded HMT Empire Windrush at Kingston Jamaica. A limited number of specially embossed Windrush Editions are available for purchase.
Contact debbie@lawrenva.com
For more articles and Windrush publications by EDITIONS visit www.editionbhm.com
A highly respected resident of Harlesden London, Norman Mitchell has lived at the same address since 1956. Recognising the needs of the ageing population in the area, in 1980 he founded the West Indian Senior Citizens Organisation (WISCO). He has also served on many committees in relation to health matters, education and community affairs. He has represented WISCO on numerous boards and continues today to do anything he can to serve his community. Norman Mitchell MBE is true pioneer of the Windrush Generation who has used his skills and initiative to make a vast contribution and a difference in a sector that continues to see a growing need nationwide.
Separated from their parents as infants, reunited as youngsters.
The Barrel in the corner of a room stuffed with brand new treasures were a familiar sight in virtually every Windrush* household. It was usually the women who attended to it. Often filled with cloths for making dresses, shoes, shirts, decorative objects and of course baby clothes and toys for those who had left their children behind. One didn’t think of the significance of those barrels or even the lives of those for whom these great “goodies” were destined. There was a quiet consolation and resignation for those who were sending goods for their families and elderly parents. The children they had left behind were well provided for from afar - or so one imagined. The reality though was somewhat different. Whilst many enjoyed
blissful lives back “home” others were mistreated. Some were left as young infants and never knew their parents until a day arrived when they were sent for. Travelling thousands of miles they would arrive from a very sunny green place to a damp dark country where outdoor life was not an option. Worse still, they found themselves with families (their parents) whom they did not know, often in a confined space. For many this was a very sorrowful and traumatic predicament both for the parents and children. Today as adults, many still prefer not to remember or discuss that painful episode of their lives whilst others are settled and lead happy and fulfilled lives.
See The BCA (Black Cultural Archives) Exhibition “Over A Barrel” which runs from 22nd June to September 2023. visit: https://www.childhoodexplorer.org/exploring-the-barrelchildren-cycle-parentchild-separation-due-to-migration Or https:// www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/long-reads/barrelchildren-windrush-black-families-b1958518.html.
*This term is used broadly to reflect the multitudes who came to Britain from the Caribbean during the period 1948 - 1971.
5th July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service. Coinciding with Windrush 75 the NHS will have a series of events including a service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate this landmark year. See website for further details: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/ celebrating-75-years-of-windrush/
With her refreshing approach to journalism there’s no one who can tell a story as Nadine White. This young British journalist, humble and unassuming with pervading characteristics reminiscent of “old Jamaica,” just seems to belt out truth and well-researched facts. It was not surprising that she was snapped up by The Independent as their first race correspondent in 2021 for their eponymous Race Report publication. At just 30 she has won several awards, not least for her scathing exposé of the sinister activities in certain churches. Her well-researched articles cover a range of topics and issues from institutional inequalities to policing attitudes. She has given a voice to the silent woes and afflictions of Black minorities with a national reach to a very wide audience.
Most of the men, a mixture of ex-servicemen and civilians who came on the HMT Windrush came without their wives. Many were single and after settling in Britain sent “home” for former girlfriends or a wife, sometimes women they had never met before. Most of these marriages stood the test of time and divorces were few and far between.
Sunrise Bakery based in Birmingham has been supplying hardough bread, buns and cakes to the West Indian community for almost 60 years. From humble beginnings in Smethwick Birmingham and in-person deliveries, within one generation they grew into a successful national enterprise.
Founded by the late Herman Drummond and William Lamont in 1966, today it is run on an industrial scale by his son Errol Drummond and grandson Daniel. Errol has also been a stalwart figure in the community over the decades and is currently Vice Chair of Jamaican Heritage UK. He has supported a variety of charities; was on the
Scrutiny Panel for a local prison ensuring prisoner complaints were properly dealt with. For the recent Commonwealth Games he was part of the Diversity and Inclusion Team facilitating the representation of all the various ethnic groups that make up the cultural bedrock of the city of Birmingham.
Many former slave/plantation holders, ship owners, private quay investors and financiers in Britain had already received compensation on account of the The West India Dock Act of 1799 whereby ships involved in the West India trade were compelled to use the new facilities which were opened in 1802. The government awarded large compensatory sums for those who were affected by the Act. This predicated the lobbying for compensation when slavery was finally abolished in 1833 and set a precedence for a legal argument which lobbyists used in the years leading up to the Abolition of Slavery. As we know, they were successful and slave-owners were compensated handsomely. Today there is much discussion on reparations and how to compensate the descendants of those slaves whose humanity, at that time, was not correctly acknowledged. In Britain these are The Windrush Generation.
Samuel Adedeje has perfect hearing but was raised by deaf parents. Recognising the vital need for the non-hearing community, he studied ‘signing’ and now works as an official sign language interpreter. It is estimated that 151,000 people in Britain use sign language (not all are deaf) and approximately 20% of the deaf population are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
If you wish to know more about sign language within the community or need an interpreter contact the Interpreters of Colour Network (IOCN) at https:// interpretersofcolour.net/ Figures source IOCN.
Born and raised in a Westminster children’s home in London, Mark Elie has enjoyed a stellar career, working with some of the world’s leading ballet and contemporary dance companies from the Ballet Gulbenkian, Lisbon, and the legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem in NYC, with the acclaimed Arlene Phillips from Hot Gossip to numerous West End Shows.
In 1995 he went on to set up the Mark Elie Dance Foundation enabling access to affordable tuition in dance to low income families which in turn led to establishing Classically British & Co. His Portobello Dance School, based in West London,
Post-emancipation many former slave/plantation owners based in Britain, then extremely wealthy, attempted to dissociate themselves from the heinous legacy and turned to preaching and “spreading the word” amongst former slaves.
Krik Krak & Beck Theatre present their new production Jamaica Love on 29th and 30th July. Through the musical time-capsule of the Windrush Generation, the show explores the history between Britain and Jamaica.
For tickets visit https:// becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ tickets-jamaica-love-hayesjuly-2023
produces 3 phenomenal shows every year showcasing the extraordinary talent of the young students, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers including performing at The Royal Opera House and English National Ballet. Mark says: “Looking back over the last 30 years I am very proud to say The Mark Elie Dance Foundation & Classically British & Co’s has continuously evolved to a point where thousands of children, adults and university students have enjoyed and participated in learning and understanding more about classical & contemporary dance.”
Windrush Day commemorates the Windrush Generation who arrived from the Caribbean on the HMT Empire Windrush on 22nd June 1948 and all those who arrived subsequently until 1972 as well as their descendants.
Published by Editions Media Limited, publishers of Windrush Legacy publications. Edited by Joy Sigaud we wish to thank and acknowledge all the contributors and editorial team including: Marinella Franks, Wayne Nembhard, Debbie Lawrence, Errol Drummond, Rt Rev’d Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Windrush 75 Network, Patrick Vernon, Jennifer Johnson. We also extend thanks to all our sponsors.
We disclaim any and all liabilities, including damages or loss that may result from your use or misuse of this publication, its website or any of the content. Reproduction is not permitted without prior written consent of the editor sharing in its complete format is permitted with full acknowledgement to the editor. All rights reserved. ISSN 2732-4435
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