Southport enjoyed a week of celebrations to honour the Windrush 75th anniversary.
It was the first time the historic event has been officially recognised in Southport, with families previously having to travel to cities such as Preston or Liverpool to honour the occasion.
The events were organised by the Southport African Caribbean Heritage Association (SACHA).
It began with the raising of the Windrush flag at Southport Town Hall on Wednesday (21st June), ahead of Windrush Day on Thursday.
It was the first time the Windrush flag has been raised on a civic building in Southport.
It was marked with speeches and songs, before a gathering of Windrush families at Southport Market.
Landmark buildings in Southport and Bootle were then illuminated in red, yellow and green on Thursday evening to honour the thousands of African-Caribbean people who came to Britain in the 1940s aboard the Empire Windrush ship, leading to a cultural, economic and social boost across the UK, which is still seen today. Comprising thousands of individuals from the Caribbean who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971, the Windrush generation has had an indelible impact on the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the nation.
The venues included Southport Town Hall, Bootle Town Hall and The Atkinson in Southport.
The Windrush 75th events are very much linked with the 75th anniversary of the NHS, which will be honoured this July. Many generations arrived from the Caribbean to work as doctors, nurses and other medical staff in the UK’s fledgling National health Service.
Hundreds of people then enjoyed a special Windrush 75th anniversary celebration in the Town Hall Gardens in Southport town centre.
Families enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with the Caribbean Regal Steel Band, dance performances, dance workshops, carnival workshops, Afrobeats, live music, Caribbean food, a craft tent, a story tent, and more.
The Living Well bus was on site offering health advice to people. Stop Hate UK had a stand, offering advice on how to report hate crimes.
Southport African Caribbean Heritage Association Vice Chair and Founder Gemma Collins said: “This has never been done before in Southport.
“It has been very symbolic. We enjoyed welcoming people from the community that we might not have seen for decades.
“We would love to see this happen every year, not just to celebrate the 75th anniversary.
“Before this celebration, we had to travel to places like Preston to find any Windrush events, so it has been fantastic to be able to do this in our home town.
“We are very grateful to the National lottery Fund and to Living Well; funding through Sefton CVS to enable this event to happen.
“We wanted to be able to raise as much awareness as we can.
“We were keen to highlight the huge contribution made to the UK by the Windrush generations, and to get the message across that for so many of them, it has been a struggle.
“It is all about celebrating our heritage.
“This Saturday between 3pm and 6pm we are hosting a Social and Pot Luck at Crossens Community Centre – it’s always held on the first Saturday every month, just turn up.
“On the first Wednesday of every month we hold a Coffee Club at LifeRooms in Southport between 10.30am and 12pm, please email africancaribbeansouthport@gmail.com to book a place.
“We would just like to thank all the participants and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
“We will be using the funds to support our members and to fund our socials, coffee club and future events. Follow us for updates.
“If you would like to join the WhatsApp group please email us and we will set it up.
“Looking forward to seeing our new members and growing our community.”
Gemma’s grandparents, Charles and Ruth Collins, were part of the Windrush generation when they came to the UK from Barbados in 1957 and 1958. Her father, Michael Collins, arrived here when he was 13 years old in 1967.
Gemma said: “Many people know about the Windrush Scandal, but many don’t realise how much it has affected people so close to home.
“Now is the right time to acknowledge what happened and to celebrate the people of the Windrush generation and to thank them for what they achieved.
“We wanted the event to be for people in the Windrush generation to be able to say – ‘someone has finally noticed us’.”
Mayor of Sefton, Cllr June Burns, said: “The Windrush generation has benefited the nation’s identity, vibrancy, resilience, and cultural richness hugely.
“Lighting up our civic buildings and flying the flags on Thursday was a gesture of thanks and recognition of their massive contribution to the region and to Sefton.”
For more details about Windrush 75 in Southport please email: africancaribbeansouthport@gmail.com
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