Windrush stamps its mark

Royal Mail’s new stamps follow a series which celebrates the Black contribution to Britain

IIT’S NOT just a new coin that will be launched. The Royal Mail are issuing eight new stamps to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush landing in 1948.

T’S NOT just a new coin that will be launched. The Royal Mail are issuing eight new stamps to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush landing in 1948.

This new collection follows a series of stamps in recent times that celebrate and honour Black culture and historical figures. These include the Notting Hill carnival, former England winger John Barnes and the founder of Britain’s first Black newspaper, Claudia Jones.

This new collection follows a series of stamps in recent times that celebrate and honour Black culture and historical figures. These include the Notting Hill carnival, former England winger John Barnes and the founder of Britain’s first Black newspaper, Claudia Jones.

The new Windrush stamps were created by five Black British artists, all with a Caribbean heritage, and are due be revealed on June 15 at an event at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton.

The new Windrush stamps were created by five Black British artists, all with a Caribbean heritage, and are due be revealed on June 15 at an event at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton.

It is expected that the stamps will go on sale on Windrush Day, June 22, and are bound to create

It is expected that the stamps will go on sale on Windrush Day, June 22, and are bound to create intense interest among collec- intense interest among collectors. Royal Mail say that diversity is a theme they are prioritising to mark the contribution of individuals from all backgrounds. A stamp celebrating singer Dame Shirley Bassey is scheduled for later this year. tors. Royal Mail say that diversity is a theme they are prioritising to mark the contribution of individuals from all backgrounds. A stamp celebrating singer Dame Shirley Bassey is scheduled for later this year.

In other developments, King Charles is due to commission portraits of Windrush pioneers.

He said: “My hope is to use this project to honour and further celebrate that very special generation, and to ensure that all they did for this country is forever understood and appreciated.

“The strong relationship between Britain and Jamaica has been forged through the centuries, and continues to be strengthened by the myriad connections between our people.

“The contribution of Jamaicans to the life of this country has been immeasurable.”