Nottingham standing on the shoulders of giants

NOTTINGHAM IS to stage several events to celebrate the extraordinary contribution the Windrush generation has made to the city.

The events will also be an opportunity to pay homage to today’s multi-talented descendants of the generation by bringing a unique intergenerational feel to the occasion.

The celebrations will begin on Thursday, June 8 with a Special Windrush Lecture by author and BBC producer Colin Grant, the writer of several Windrush books including the illuminating Homecoming: the voices of the Windrush Generation

It is part of Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) new Great Minds series which is designed to entertain, inspire and stir imaginations. It will be held at the Nottingham Trent University from 6.30pm and will be an occasion for NTU’s diverse student population to engage in the inspiring stories of the Windrush generation.

Windrush 75 Weekend celebrations start on Thursday,

Special intergenerational events lined up to mark the big day

June 22 (National Windrush Day) with a special civic service at the Council House, Old Market Square, from 10.30am.

This service will include dignitaries, civic leaders, community leaders, school representation and members of the Windrush generation.

The Council House will also host an exhibition reflecting the various sectors the Windrush generation has contributed to in Nottingham, such as nursing, mining industry, transport, sports and entertain ment.

Celebration festivities will move over to the new Binks Yard Island Quar ter complex with its magnificent outdoor per-

Nottingham events

Thursday, June 8: Special Windrush Lecture, NTU University Hall at 5.30pm been a central part of the Windrush experience and the Sunday service will be a time to give thanks for the life and contribution of the Windrush Generation. formance stage with the largest video wall screen backdrop in the East Midlands. This will set the scene for live entertainment for the afternoon.

It will be a trip down memory lane, with artists reflecting the singing, music, poetry, dance, fashion and storytelling of the Windrush generation and, of course, a Windrush

The 75th Anniversary Windrush celebrations will also be an occasion to showcase the multitalented descendants of Windrush generation and the Commonwealth. On Saturday, June 24, the festivities

Thursday, June 22: Civic Service, Nottingham Council House at 10am

Thursday, June 22: Lunch and entertainment, Binks Yard, Island Quarter at 1pm

Saturday, June 24: Windrush Cuisine & International Celebration – 11am to 9pm

Sunday, June 25: Commemorative Gospel Service, Binks Yard, Island Quarter @3.30pm continue at Binks Yard with the Cuisine Flavours of Windrush Family Day comprising a demonstration of how to cook traditional delicacies and an opportunity to sample such delights as ‘Saturday Soup’.

For further information contact Rev Clive Foster MBE, Senior Minister Pilgrim Church Charitable Trust. Email: clivefoster36@gmail.com. The service and various activities will be live streamed.

Later, there will be a spectacular line-up of intergenerational talent reflecting the music, dance, poetry and spoken word from the Windrush descendants and commonwealth of today. On Sunday, June 25, there will be a Windrush Commemorative Gospel Service held at Binks Yard. The service will pay homage to the sacrifice and enduring faith of the Windrush generation, with uplifting gospel singing bringing together outstanding choirs, singers and musicians performing traditional and modern gospel. Faith and the church have

High sheriff of Nottingham Veronica Pickering, left, said: “Here in Nottingham we are delighted to be marking and celebrating the 75th Windrush Day.

“We need to keep on sharing and learning from the stories of the rich contributions made to our everyday lives and culture by the Windrush Generations.”

Clive Foster, who recently received an MBE for services to the Windrush generation, added: “We are looking forward to celebrating the outstanding and incredible contribution of the Windrush generation to rebuild the UK after the ravages of the Second World War.

“Their sacrifice, their hard work and enduring hope, despite the obvious challenges, never faltered and serve as a great example of perseverance and pride in themselves and the country they served so well.

“We are standing on the shoulders of giants.”