This year marks 75 since The Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury
To mark this momentous occasion we have planned a 6 month exhibition, celebration day and multiple smaller events over the 6 months to celebrate, create and educate the people of Bolton.
This project has been generously funded by:
The National Lottery: Community Fund
About Windrush
Windrush Day was introduced in June 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the Windrush migration. Though Windrush Day is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom, it is an observed day. It is on 22 June. It was instituted following a successful campaign led by Patrick Vernon.
Windrush Day is a chance to celebrate British Caribbean communities, and acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to British society.
On 22 June 1948, 1,027 people were brought to Tilbury Docks, Essex, on the Empire Windrush ship. News at the time reported that the number of people was 492, but the ship’s records show that they carried 1,027 passengers.
According to the passenger lists, 802 of those on board the ship gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean. After World War II, the UK’s economy was in a state of disrepair. As a solution, the British government recruited Afro-Caribbean migrants and offered them jobs.
These jobs included the production of steel, coal, iron, and food, and also jobs in the service sector, such as running public transport and staffing the new National Health Service in the United Kingdom. All jobs which British people weren’t doing and didn’t want to do.
Our Activities
During Spring half term (29th May-2nd June) We hosted 2 days of Free Windrush art clubs. We had groups of children join us to paint, mosiac and create pieces of artwork commemorating Windrush and the people who came to this country on that ship 75 years ago. Below are some pictures from this event.
Opening on June 22nd 2023 We have a 6 month exhibition in our town centre premises.
This exhibition features pictures from the time, pictures and news articles from the 2018 scandal, information leaflets, a projected video of the events of Windrush and a community art work for all to add their own brushstroke over the 6 months, ending in a beautiful painting made by the bolton Community.
On Saturday 8th July 2023 we are hosting an afternoon of fun, music, dancing and fantastic food at the ‘New Testament Church of God’ in Daubhill.
We will have:
- Food from the incredible “KBs Catering Service: Caribbean Food At Its Finest”
- Soul music from the amazing Rachel Crowe
- Speeches and discussions from people who came to this country on the Empire Windrush and the first generation of Windrush children.
We are so excited to see you all there on the 8th for our biggest celebration of the year!
Update:
We had over 40 of you join us for the Windrush Celebration last weekend, making it a memorable day filled with music and food. Your presence helps us strengthen community bonds. 
Activities will be added throughout the 6 months so check back here or our social media for regular updates on our Windrush events and activities.