National Windrush Day

Tuesday 22 June 2021 will mark the fourth National Windrush Day and 73 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex in 1948, carrying one of the first groups of migrants to the UK who had been invited to come and help ‘re-build’ Britain after the Second World War.

Many “Windrush” Commonwealth Citizens and their families still live in London today. The continued spirit of their contributions still lives on in Black British society as well as the fight for equality and justice, brought by the Windrush Scandal.

To acknowledge this day and to celebrate our “Windrushers”, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in collaboration with Westminster City Council will be hosting an exhibition later in the Summer starting at the end of Carnival and running through Black History Month to the end of October 2021. The exhibition will be held at North Kensington Library and will feature artefacts of the Windrush Generation loaned to the exhibition by residents and staff. 

The exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey starting in the Caribbean, through the voyage across the Atlantic and then arriving in London to experience life in post war Britain. It will end with a focus on the enormous contributions made by the Windrush Generation to transport, health and wellness, politics, culture and athletics.   The exhibition is aimed as a catalyst for various events including Carnival celebrations and during Black History Month. The exhibition is open to everyone. Further details will be available closer to the time.

Can you help? If you have any Windrush items or artefacts or know others (family, friends or neighbours) who might have items that could suitable for loaning to the exhibition the exhibition team would love to hear from you.  Please contact Windrush1@rbkc.gov.uk

(Image:  Small newspaper advertisement in the Kingston Gleaner, dated 15 April 1948, announcing a "Passenger Opportunity" to sail from Jamaica to the United Kingdom on the troopship Empire Windrush)