Celebrating Windrush Day

Sunday 22 June marks Windrush Day.

Celebrated since 2018, Windrush Day is dedicated to honouring the lasting contributions that Caribbean people and their families have made to the UK.

The Windrush generation

On 22 June 1948, after 30 days at sea, 492 commonwealth citizens from Caribbean islands arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex aboard the ship the HMT Empire Windrush, beginning a transformative chapter in British history. They were part of a generation who responded to Britain's call for help in rebuilding after World War II.

The ship became a symbol of a wider movement from Commonwealth countries to the UK, with the 1971 Immigration Act giving Commonwealth citizens the permanent right to live and work in the UK.

The term Windrush generation was coined to recognise those who had journeyed from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1960s, bringing with them skills, resilience and rich cultural traditions that would fundamentally help to shape modern Britain.

Despite facing significant challenges including discrimination and racism, they built lives, families and communities, while contributing immeasurably to healthcare, transport, manufacturing, education, arts and countless other sectors.

Windrush Celebration Day

12 noon to 4pm, Sunday 22 JuneRoyal Pavilion Gardens, North St, New Rd, Brighton & Hove

Join us in the Royal Pavilion Garden to celebrate the Windrush generation and their enduring legacy. People from the Caribbean and across the commonwealth answered the call to help rebuild Britain after the ravages of WWII – from nursing in Brighton General Hospital to transport and engineering. Across marriages, friendships, community leaders, activism, music and the arts, the Windrush generation helped to shape Brighton & Hove and the whole of Britain into the rich, vibrant nation we are today.

Expect an uplifting afternoon filled with live steel band music, dance performances, authentic Caribbean food, arts, crafts & face painting.

The event is free, no need to book - just drop in.

Learn more about the event on the Brighton & Hove Museums website.

Fairness and respect

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “While Windrush Day is a day of celebration, it’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the injustices faced by the Windrush generation - including the Windrush scandal - and recommit ourselves to addressing ongoing inequalities.

“As a council, we are dedicated to putting our energies and our resources into actively dismantling racist structures and challenging racial inequality, as is demonstrated by our pledge to become an anti-racist council.

“There is a lot of work to be done still but we’re fully committed to the pledge and to working with others on becoming an anti-racist city, a city where everyone will have their voices heard and where the changes still needed today have been met and where every single person receives respect and holds an equal standing.

“I invite everyone to join in on the celebration of Windrush Day and learn more about how the Windrush generation shaped our city.”