What is Windrush Day?
Windrush Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 22 June 1948. The arrival of the Empire Windrush nearly 73 years ago marked a seminal moment in Britain’s history and has come to represent the rich diversity of this nation.
People from the Caribbean boarded ships to England on invitation by the British government to help rebuild Britain. Caribbean migrants were offered jobs and arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex, in the UK, on the Empire Windrush ship. They took on jobs in the production of steel, coal, iron, and food. Also, jobs in the service sector, such as running public transport and staffing the new National Health Service.
Early Migrants...
Caribbean migrants who arrived in Dudley during this period made an enormous contribution to Britain, not just in the vital work of rebuilding the country and public services following WWII but in enriching our shared social, economic, cultural and religious life.
Community...
Caribbean migrants came to Dudley in style, they lived in shared houses and built a unique sense of community. They worked hard, overcoming great sacrifice and hardship to build a foundation for their families.
Celebration..
We continue to celebrate the Windrush generation, we hold commemorative events to remember their contributions to Dudley Borough as they are an integral part of our community.
Who we are
The Windrush Celebration Group are a collective of community activists of Caribbean descent. They proactively work together to maintain intergenerational connections and ensure the history and legacy of Dudley’s Windrush generation is never forgotten.