IPSWICH will celebrate its diversity with a week of events celebrating 60 years since the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush in the region.
Tom Potter
IPSWICH will celebrate its diversity with a week of events celebrating 60 years since the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush in the region.
The boat carried the first wave of Caribbean migrants who came to help Britain recover from the ravages of war.
The Windrush pulled into Tilbury Docks, in Essex, on June 22, 1948. Since then the ship's arrival has become an important milestone in the history of modern Britain.
Excluded from much of the social and economic life around them, the migrants began to adapt the institutions they brought with them and became a vital part of society, transforming important aspects of British life.
Though very few of the migrants intended to stay in Britain for more than a few years, the people of the Windrush generation made British culture and communities richer for the heritage and traditions they carried with them.
Ipswich's diverse community will be pushing the boat out to celebrate these historic trailblazers through three richly enjoyable events.
On Tuesday , actor and author Victor Richards will recall the lives of the Windrush generation through nostalgic performance drama and poetry.
He will be joined in the council chamber at Ipswich Town Hall by the universal sound of steel pan music from the Ipswich Caribbean Steel Band.
A panel of guest speakers will reflect on the Windrush era through lively debate and discussion from 5pm on Saturday at St Lawrence's Centre, Dial Lane, Ipswich.
There will also be a chance to hear from our own local Windrush generation as they share their experiences of the last 60 years.
On Sunday, a special service of thanksgiving will celebrate the passengers' spiritual journey as they remained in Britain with their faiths intact. The service begins at 2pm at Ipswich International Church, Barrack Corner.
For more information on all three events contact Del White at the Nia Project 01473 221715 or email NiaProject21@yahoo.com.
Tell us your memories of the windrush generation? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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