In August we held a special Windrush Day event at Fristsite in Colchester to celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture through talks, stalls, live music, art, performance and dance. 

There were performances and live music with Phase 5 Steelpan Band, musician Gary Cordice, dancer Caroline Muraldo and poet John Lyons. There were workshops for all ages: attendees Danced Caribbean Style with Caroline Muraldo, Made their own Carnival Mask with artist and poet John Lyons, and got to Know Your Roots, a project documenting and celebrating the Black experience through hair stories with Jo Melville from the South Essex African Caribbean Association.

We also explored how we can continue to tell the Windrush story, through a pop up exhibition and talks featuring Lawrence Walker, Chair of Black History Month Colchester, and artist EVEWRIGHT. 

WINDRUSH DAY

The people of the Windrush, their children and grandchildren have played a vital role in creating a new concept of what it means to be British, and were important pioneers of our multi-cultural society in Britain today.

Windrush Day was introduced in 2018 by the UK government, on the 70th anniversary of the landing of the first Caribbean migrants at Tilbury Docks in Essex, for the purpose of “encouraging communities across the country to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants”. On and around the 22 June every year there will be activities, such as dance performances, exhibitions, talks and debates across the UK.

Windrush Day encourages us to challenge racism, prejudice and discrimination, and celebrate companionship and community. Let’s celebrate!