Windrush 75
Windrush 75
This year marks 75 years since 500 passengers from the Caribbean arrived at Tilbury Docks on the HMT Empire Windrush. They would be the first of many who were invited by successive governments between 1948 and 1971 to relocate to Britain from their homes in Commonwealth countries, to address labour shortages.
Hackney Council will be celebrating the anniversary and the incredible contribution of the Windrush Generation in shaping the future of Britain, through a series of events, activities, exhibitions, workshops and the sharing of authentic and diverse stories throughout the year.
Check out our Windrush 75 Events Calendar to find out what’s happening in the borough and beyond to celebrate this special year. New events are added each week.
If you’re hosting a Windrush event and you’d like to feature it, for free, in the calendar and newsletters, you can submit your entry here.
A Happy Windrush Day 2023
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush, Hackney Town Hall held a special event for the Windrush Community. See the photo album here!
A very special message to Hackney’s Windrush community from TV presenter, Jay Blades MBE
In honour of the 75th anniversary of Windrush, The Repair Shop presenter Jay blades, shares a special message to Hackney’s Windrush community, the borough where he was born and bred.
Hackney Windrush Artwork Commission
One of the many ways you can celebrate 75 years of African-Caribbean heritage in Hackney today is by visiting our commemorative sculptures, a short walk from Hackney Central station beside St. Augustine’s Tower and outside Hackney Town Hall.
Hackney's Diverse Curriculum
Windrush resources are available now!
In 2022, Hackney Education developed a set of teaching resources to mark Windrush Day. They enable students to learn about the Windrush generations and their contribution to life in Britain, using Veronica Ryan's sculptures and the work of Thomas J Price as inspiration.
Students will explore the role of statues and sculptures, and how to use art as a form of expression and cultural identity. The resources were created by a dedicated team of Hackney teachers and education consultants.
Free Windrush recipe book
In 2019, The BIG Windrush Baking Project saw Windrush members of all generations get together in the kitchen to share traditional Caribbean recipes. Recipes chosen by the seniors ranged from Plantain Tarts to Spiced Pumpkin Cake and later these dishes were recorded in a special Windrush cookbook and sold in local bookshops.
To celebrate Windrush 75 and to preserve and share the history of the Windrush generation, we're now providing FREE online access to the full Traditional Caribbean Baking Recipes cookbook.
So, why not get together with your family and friends and give these tasty recipes a try? Share a picture of your completed bake and tell us what you thought of it, by emailing culture@hackney.gov.uk
We'll feature the best on our website and social media.
Windrush resources and highlights from the festival in previous years
Windrush events
Windrush stories
Windrush songs and poetry
Visual arts and exhibitions
Windrush community partners
Interactive resources and activities
National Windrush Day 2022
On National Windrush Day (Wednesday 22 June) Hackney demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Windrush generations with the unveiling of a permanent public artwork in Town Hall Square, honouring the borough’s Windrush community.
The unveiling of “Warm Shores” by artist Thomas J Price was celebrated with an evening of music, song and dance hosted by actor, comedian, TV and radio presenter, Eddie Nestor MBE, featuring performances from award-winning poets Mr Gee, Raymond Antrobus and KG Lester, Morningside Youth Steel Pan Band, Reggae Choir, and Kingsmead Dynamix Drumming and Dance Group, as well as speeches from Hackney’s Windrush lead Cllr Carole Williams and Mayor Philip Glanville.
Windrush Tea Party
In 2018 and 2019, Hackney Council hosted a free annual tea party for Windrush generation residents, families and friends.
Here is a selection of images to take you back.
During 2018, senior group Connect Hackney recorded stories from Hackney’s Windrush
generation, which were produced as a commemorative booklet.
Officially launched at the Council’s 2018 Caribbean Tea Party, the booklet and a series of podcasts are available for download.
Led by older people, for older people, Connect Hackney aims to improve the wellbeing of Hackney residents aged 50 and over by reducing or preventing loneliness and isolation.
Connect Hackney - Windrush, Stories of a Hackney Generation booklet
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing's Windrush story
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), is a charitable housing association that provides homes and support services across more than 1,500 homes in Hackney.
More than 50 years ago, its founder Lady Molly Huggins established a charitable organisation to provide safe and affordable homes for the members of the Windrush generation who came to rebuild Britain in the 1950s.
As one of just 6 housing associations in the UK to specifically house migrants in 1957, Lady Molly was bold and courageous in her work. She stood against injustice and invested in the people who make Britain what it is today.
The MTVH Migration Foundation recognises the particular challenges faced by the UK’s migrant population and offers practical solutions through supporting access to justice, housing support, and migrant entrepreneurship.
We are Windrush
Playback: Watch our finale event ‘We Are Windrush poetry and storytelling’, with special guest hosts and readings from Hackney's Windrush community
We finished our Windrush Generations Festival 2020 on a high with the We Are Windrush storytelling and poetry event.
After an introduction from Hackney Windrush lead - Cllr Carole Williams, we heard beautiful poems and prose from Hackney's talented Windrush Generation of all ages.
We Are Windrush was hosted by special guests Colin Grant, Raymond Antrobus and Hackney Empire's Alter Ego finalist Phoenix who delivered the brilliant poem You Black People.
Reminisce on our special night and sit back and listen to stories that will make you smile, reflect or maybe even shed a little tear...
Windrush stories - Hackney Edition
Featuring:
Cleveland Watkiss MBE, Mr Gee, Michelle Dornelly and Dr Michael McMillen.
The Windrush Generation – African & Caribbean music in Hackney
Through stories of musical innovation, distribution and enjoyment, Hackney Museum’s series ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ celebrates the impact of Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities on music in the borough and beyond. In this blog the museum explorea music and the Windrush generation.
Songwriting project
The Windrush songwriting project was based on an intergenerational collaboration with American Music Association UK members and Hackney Empire Elders held in January 2020.
Seniors and songwriters spent two days together to create original songs and form new friendships.
This time, First-generation Windrush residents created songs about their lives together.
Through informal conversations, six original songs were created, as well as new friendships amongst the elders and songwriters.
Birds Of A Feather – Kris Wilkinson Hughes with Tony and Sherlene Barker
Kris Wilkinson Hughes (My Girl The River): Originally from the USA, I immigrated to the UK 20 years ago.
I am so privileged to be a part of this incredible project, hearing stories that speak to a time when so many cultures immigrated to the UK.
I got to know Tony and Sherlene as we spoke about favourite ‘Bajan’ memories, starting over, homesickness, making new friends and raising a family. I was inspired by their devotion to each other, their faith, community, loving family, and very wise words.
Sherlene Barker: I was a bit apprehensive about sharing my story to someone I had never met about coming to this country, but knowing it was part of celebrating the Windrush generation, that inspired me to partake in the project.
Kris put us at ease and was very good at collating our stories. I really enjoyed it. For me, I found it fulfilling to let her into my journey here.
Tony Barker: It was a successful partnership putting the song together. I was comfortable talking about my life here in England and it took me back to those special moments like working on the number 106 bus as a conductor, where I first met my wife.
The Motherland – Dewi Bowen with Louise Parr
Dewi Bowen (Sons of Owen): I had the great pleasure of speaking with Louise to create this song ‘The Motherland’. This song is a story of a woman making a journey in search of a better life for herself and family in a new world and the ups and downs along the way.
With an uplifting chorus the song highlights the great passion Louise spoke with about the life she has created for herself in The Motherland full of friends and happiness. I’ve enjoyed every step of the process working with the Americana Music Association UK and look forward to hearing everyone’s songs.
Louise Parr: I felt very relaxed and felt that I knew the person who I was speaking to.
I answered the questions to the best of my ability and if it any time I was uncertain, I felt that I could ask for clarification and would ask him to explain it again.
This experience bought back memories from my younger years. I had a happy childhood, even though my family was poor.
I was happy to come to England, as I did not know what to expect. Sometimes I would explain to him what I meant because I felt he did not understand what I had said and this works both ways.
Somewhere New – Lady Nade with a Hackney Resident
Lady Nade: I wrote this song, with a positive, established Hackney resident about their insightful journey from Jamaica to England and all the changes that happened thereafter. It’s a song bouquet of memories in tribute to her sister's wedding that took place upon her arrival. The Hackney elder and I spoke about change and the topical concepts of social distancing.
I found myself drawn to the outdoors when composing and capturing the song's essence; appreciating the seeds of life and the gentle sprouts of change. Weaving in as we approach the precipice of revitalised engagement for the enduring black lives matter movement from the wider community.
Elvis Was Good, Yeah He Was Alright – Callum Lury with Milton Smith
Callum Lury (The Blue Highways): Empathy and understanding. That for me is what this experience is about, and in many ways is what I consider songwriting more broadly to be about; attempting to improve ourselves, to better understand those who are different to us, socially, politically, culturally.
To see who they are, what defines them, what moves them. Milton is a man of great character, with an astounding resilience and stoicism. But I haven’t, and wouldn’t try to simply write his story, but instead have been inspired by his words and actions, hopefully creating something that speaks not only to his experience but as part of a wider story.
Milton Smith: The whole experience was enjoyable, interesting and based on my experience of coming to the United Kingdom.
I was surprised that the young man who I spoke to was able to use his words to make a song and found this very interesting. The overall experience was very interesting and I cannot wait to hear the song.
Promises – Kairen Caine with Trevor Stewart
Kairen Caine: Trevor and I had a lovely long online video chat at the start of the song’s development followed by regular emails.
He sent me a draft of a book he is writing for his family, which was also a wonderful resource.
Telling a person’s story from a different culture and life experience is a challenging one but Trevor has been so positive about the process and is a great storyteller.
‘Promises’ is a glimpse into Trevor’s own individual journey and outlook on life and it has been an absolute joy to collaborate with him. He has taught me very much.
Trevor Stewart: Yes, a song can describe the feelings of a Jamaican country boy growing up in London.
The songwriter and myself managed to discover and convey my experiences and their meanings. It elated me and as the song was finished it brought tears to my eyes. Memories came alive sweet and dear, heart-warming, and sad.
The songwriter, Kairen, was able to find the real me. I listen to my song repeatedly. I love it.
Thank you, Hackney Culture Team. I am grateful to have this song as part of my legacy.
Streets Paved With Cold – Dave Giles with Ngoma Bishop
Dave Giles: From my very first phone call with Ngoma, I knew that this was going to be fruitful.
I have enough material from him to be able to create an album worth of songs, and every single story would be worth hearing.
His humour, openness, intelligence and eloquence have been a joy to experience and to be able to learn so much from him has been a real blessing.
I knew it was going well when we were texting each other ideas of rhyming couplets at 1am. I look forward to collaborating with him again in the future.
Ngoma Bishop: My experiences of or with those that forever seem to want me to share my story; usually with no psychological, spiritual, emotional, financial or other discernible benefit to me, and generally via someone with whom I had little or no connection, had made me not only weary of, but positively hostile to such approaches.
Therefore when approached about this project, I was adamant I wanted no part of it. Fortunately Sherrie persisted and eventually that together with positive feedback I had received from a participant of a similar and previous project, I decided to give it a go, with the proviso that if at any time I felt unhappy I was out.
Good job I was persuaded. I was paired with singer songwriter Dave Giles. Dave contacted me and two hours into a five minute audio phone conversation, we were both convinced that this was going to work. A couple of days later we spoke again, this time audio visual.
Over another couple of hours we shared memories and experiences, that at times were very similar and at other times vastly different. Long story short, less than forty-eight hours on and we had somehow co-written a song that told my life story in less than half a dozen verses.
I had always written alone, so a collaboration of this kind was new to me. We have discussed and agreed how we want to approach the instrumentation and ownership of our song. I am looking forward eagerly to the final product.
Fiona Bevan, songwriting coach
“At this exact moment of history and the tragic events unfolding, this project feels incredibly important, and has been joyful and extremely moving for everyone involved”, Fiona Bevan, songwriting coach.
Poetry
Me Say, You Say by Lydia Julien
In 2017 Lydia Julien started working with the Peppie Close residents kindly facilitated by Christopher Garnsworthy from Hackney Community Library Services.
She created a prose poem, Me Say, You Say from all of the resident's oral history and memories which was performed at Peppie Close and the Windrush Tea Party at Hackney Town Hall 2018.
Peppie Close is a Specialist residential Unit for people from the African-Caribbean community, which enables vulnerable adults, usually aged 55 and older, to live as independently as possible in the community.
Windrush Girl by Whistel Edwards
Whistel Edwards is a local poet who is pleased to contribute to Hackney Windrush 2020 celebrations.
She attended the first Windrush tea party in 2018 as a guest and performed a short work from her collection of poetry.
Did We Say You Can Stay? by Sonia B
Sonia B is a local poet who writes her feelings, family, experiences, and mental health. She has written two collections: Within A Mental Mind and Second Time Around about fulfilled life experiences.
She is a meber of the Hackney libraries Lockdow Poetry group, which will be publishing a collection of work later in 2020. "Did We Say You Can Stay?" is Sonia B's welcome contribution to the Windrush celebration.
The Windrush Suite
Vortex Jazz Club marked the occasion of National Windrush Day by presenting a new body of work by composer and arranger Renell Shaw. The four suite pieces are inspired by the men, women and children, who later became known as the ‘Windrush Generation’.
The music pays homage to the complex origins of the people: Their lives ‘away’. Their longings, loves, disappointments, and will to survive. Being at home but not home.
We celebrate the contributions of this vibrant community to the cultural and social life of Britain. The rich diasporic musical traditions of the Caribbean finds a contemporary expression in the work, as well as a new home in a new melting pot of bubbling creativity.
Hackney Museum
Hackney Museum is the local, social history museum for the London Borough of Hackney.
Our collections represent the everyday lives of people in the borough, many of whom have migrated from different parts of the world. We have a significant number of items in our collection representing the experiences of the Windrush Generation. We hope our collections will empower local communities to tell their stories, share their concerns about local issues which are rooted in a historical context, and understand how their experiences fit alongside others. - Hackney Museum team
Living Under One Roof
This film tells the story of those who left their home countries in the Caribbean to move to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. It explores what it was like to adjust to a different culture, and live and work in Britain.
The Blue Spot radiogram
The Blue Spot radiogram was considered the best by the Caribbean community who moved to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s.
The radio and record player provided a means of entertainment in the home, at a time when many did not feel welcome in Hackney’s bars and clubs.
The ‘Barcelona’ model has a radio and record player with integrated drinks cabinet beneath for entertaining.
It was capable of receiving radio signals from as far away as the Caribbean.
Paraffin heater
This paraffin heater was used by Stanley and Adela Dormer who moved from Jamaica to the UK in the 1960s and shared a room with two other people.
Their landlady turned off the electricity and gas during the day, so the Dormer’s used the heater to stay warm during cold British winters and to cook food, as the house cooker was shared between 10 people.
“I was wearing ordinary shoes, no winter coat. We didn’t know what we were expecting. I was told it was the coldest winter for 35 years but I had no idea what winter was you see.” – Stanley Dormer
“Long sleeve nightdress, socks… We had to buy a lot of clothes. Vests – I’d never worn vests. When the winter did come I just felt like going back. I cried. I think a lot of people did cry. You see a picture postcard of the winter but it’s just seeing, not feeling.” – Adela Dormer
Roy Beckles - employment with London Transport
Roy Beckles was born in Curaçao in the Caribbean and moved to the UK in 1961.
In this extract from their 1998 interview with Hackney Museum, he discusses his employment with London Transport.
James Boston - racism on London Transport
James Augustus Boston (c.1928 - 2019) moved to Britain from Montserrat in 1960.
James worked as a bus conductor and lived in Stoke Newington.
In this extract of their 1998 interview with Hackney Museum, he describes racism he encountered while working for London Transport.
Vera Maloney - migration
Vera Maloney was born in St Lucia.
In this extract from her interview with Hackney Museum discussing moving to England, she describes housing conditions and racism from London landlords.
Shirley Boateng - NHS story
Shirley Boateng moved to England from Trinidad in 1971 to be a nurse.
In this extract of her 2010 interview with Hackney Museum, she discusses her career as a nurse, racism she experienced, and support within the Caribbean nursing community.
Find out more about Hackney Museum or follow them on Twitter.
The Real Selfie Project
The Real Selfie Project is a collaboration between photographer Rafael Hortala-Vallve and filmmaker Nick Francis. Using an analogue photobooth from the 1970s as their camera of choice, the duo capture portraits and collect personal stories of people living in the London borough of Hackney.
Unlike traditional photography, the photobooth creates a space for intimacy, playfulness and a kind of equality, where subjects are able to shape how they are represented.
The images and stories in this book were captured at Hackney’s annual Caribbean Tea Party, in celebration of the borough’s Windrush generation at Stoke Newington Town Hall, on 22 June 2019.
Both Rafael and Nick have lived in Hackney for almost twenty years and feel passionately about contributing to the visual and archival story of their borough.
The Real Selfie Project is offering unrestricted access to their book during the festival.
Visual Care at Autograph Gallery
Here’s a chance to get a glimpse of artist Franklyn Rodgers’ exquisite photographs of his ageing mother and her circle of close friends.
They were exhibited in 2018 at Autograph’s gallery in Hackney as the Windrush scandal unfolded, and the need to care for - and visually represent – the Windrush elders became urgent.
Hackney Windrush Artwork Commission
On 22 June 2020, Hackney Council announced Thomas J Price and Veronica Ryan OBE as the winning artists to be commissioned to create two new individual public artworks celebrating and honouring Hackney’s Windrush Generation, the first permanent public sculptures to do so in the UK.
Following an initial shortlisting process, the final decision was made by a panel including Hackney residents, Windrush campaigners, artists, architects and local councillors.
Unveiled in 2021, the sculptures ‘Custard Apple, Breadfruit and Soursop’, situated by St Augustine's Tower, were created by artist Veronica Ryan OBE and inspired by her memories of visiting Hackney’s Ridley Road Market as a child. In 2022, Veronica was awarded the Turner Prize for her work, including these important pieces.
The Council unveiled its second permanent public artwork on National Windrush Day 2022. ‘Warm Shores’ by sculptor Thomas J Price is based on digital 3D images of over 30 Hackney residents with a personal connection to Windrush and two 9 ft bronze figures now stand proudly in Hackney Town Hall Square.
These artworks are a proud symbol of the commitment the Council has made to the Windrush Generation and recognition of the significant contribution they have made to life in Hackney and the UK.
The artworks are commissioned by Hackney Council and produced and curated by Create London. The Hackney Windrush Art Commission is made possible with Art Fund support, with additional funding from the Henry Moore Foundation.
Supporting our community partners
Here we are showcasing the community spirit in the borough with community groups and organisations who support the Windrush generation.
If you are a member of a community group, or organise a group with any Windrush seniors, please email culture@hackney.gov.uk and we’ll add you to our contact list for updates on future projects.
Uprising Community Club
Uprising Community Club provides friendship and a varied range of activities designed to promote inclusion and community awareness for over 50's.
They provide a safe place for our over 50's to socialise, have fun, get active, be loved and valued.
Uprising Community Club’s aim is to reduce isolation by providing a friendly environment with fellowship & food, It's our way of bringing the community together.
They meet every Monday at 11:00am - 4:00pm at The Ark Suite , Cricketfield Road, Clapton, E5 8NS
Contact Uprising Community Club at Uprisingcommunityclub@gmail.com or on 07939 452 497/ 07984 887 808.
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation
During lockdown Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation (HCEO) staff stayed connected with their members by operating a telephone, befriending and advocacy service.
At least twice weekly, they rang members to find out how they were coping and what support is needed. They also delivered meals and creative activity packs.
The photo on the right shows food preparation by the club’s own cook.
The video below shows the delivery of art materials and an example of artwork done at home by one of their members.
HCEO continue to provide a range of services promoting good health and wellbeing for older people in and around the London Borough of Hackney, including lunch clubs, arts and cultural activities and advocacy.
Find out more about HCEO and join. You can also get in touch on 020 7923 3536 or by emailing info@hackneycaribbean.co.uk
In 2022 Hackney Co-operative Developments supported local people to organise the Windrush Heritage Festival. A series of events celebrating Caribbean heritage and providing intergenerational learning experience for the younger generation.
Hackney Co-operative Developments (HCD)
In 2019, The BIG Windrush Baking Project saw Windrush members of all generations get together in the kitchen to share traditional Caribbean recipes. Recipes chosen by the seniors ranged from Plantain Tarts to Spiced Pumpkin Cake and later these dishes were recorded in a special Windrush cookbook and sold in local bookshops.
To celebrate Windrush 75 and to preserve and share the history of the Windrush generation, we're now providing FREE online access to the full Traditional Caribbean Baking Recipes cookbook.
So, why not get together with your family and friends and give these tasty recipes a try?
Windrush Baking Project
Hackney Archives
Archives don't just tell us about our past, but help us understand the present and shape our future. Knowledge of the history of the Windrush Generation is a crucial part of understanding Hackney in 2020 and beyond.
Along with Hackney Museum, Hackney Archives holds a lot of material evidencing the successes and the struggles of the Windrush Generation and their descendents. From information on Hackney's pioneering Windrush entrepreneurs through to documentation of some of the harsh realities of life that the Windrush Generation have endured here in the UK, our collection can help anyone who is interested to learn more about how these communities have shaped the borough. - Hackney Archives Team
The Archives catalogue includes this Sam Uriah Morris Society annual report for the year 1980. The Sam Uriah Morris Society was an exhibition centre in Lower Clapton Road founded by Ralph Straker OBE, a race campaigner responsible for twinning Hackney with Barbados. Click on the image to have a read.
Browse Hackney Archives’ online catalogue to see more documents related to the borough’s Windrush generation. Material will be sent on request.
Please get in touch if you have material about the Windrush Generation in Hackney that you'd like the Archives to help you preserve for future generations at archives@hackney.gov.uk
What will you do for Windrush?
In 2022 , we asked everyone in Hackney ‘what will you do for Windrush?’
From baking, sharing stories, creating awareness for the compensation scheme, making art or learning something new, everyone can get involved in celebrating and supporting the Windrush generation.
We've created an activity pack to help give you some ideas.