Windrush Day 2019
Essex is the Place For Me!

Essex Record Office, Chelmsford

Essex Cultural Diversity Project organised a special Windrush Day Event, taking place in Chelmsford. The day talked about issues surrounding the Windrush, as well as celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture, with food, music, dance, art and literature.

The day was hosted by our compere, Lawrence Walker, Chair of Black History Month (Colchester). There was live music with Phase 5 Steelpan Band and Gary ST Cordicie, Afro-Caribbean food from Jerk Station, a family drop-in workshop with award winning British/Trinidadian artist John Lyons, and a pop-up exhibition that will tour throughout Essex.

We also had talks by guest speakers – Anthony Joseph, poet, novelist, and musician, who joined us to talk about his latest novel Kitch: A Fictional Biography of a Calypson Icon, inspired by Lord Kitchener.  Sharon Watson, Choreographer and Director of Phoenix Dance‘s Windrush: Movement of the People, was also in conversation with a dancer in this wonderful show.

Our Windrush project also consists of a pop-up exhibition and a legacy film, so get in touch if you’d like to know more!

The day was supported through the Government’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme to support communities to commemorate and celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. 50 community groups and local authorities across the country used the funding to lead school projects, street parties, exhibitions, talks and workshops to recognise and honour the immense legacy of those who stepped ashore at Tilbury Docks over 70 years ago.