The Windrush generation has remembered the welcome they received from Ipswich as the town celebrated the official day for the arrival of Commonwealth citizens to the UK.

Ipswich Star: The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums.The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums. (Image: Archant)

Windrush Day was marked with a live brass band in the town centre at the Cornhill - which was well attended by happy onlookers.

Ipswich Star: Chair of Ipswich’s Windrush Select Committee Charles ChallengerChair of Ipswich’s Windrush Select Committee Charles Challenger (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Chair of Ipswich’s Windrush Select Committee Charles Challenger, who moved to the town from Antigua when he was 12, reflected on the community he found in Ipswich when he arrived.

Mr Challenger said: "It was really good. We were very welcome. Most of our neighbours and many of our friends were kind.

Ipswich Star: The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums.The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums. (Image: Archant)

"That doesn't mean there weren't bad things and some of this was down to prejudice.

"It was all education and lack of understanding by some."

Ipswich Star: The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums.The Cornhill was full of people enjoying Windrush Day to the sound of steel drums. (Image: Archant)

He added that the Windrush Scandal, where former Caribbean island and Guyana citizens were denied rights and told to leave the UK under the government's hostile environment policy, has affected a lot of the Windrush generation.

"I do know of several people who have been affected," he said. "And some who have had to give up work."

Ipswich Star: Elizabeth Hughes attended Ipswich's Windrush DayElizabeth Hughes attended Ipswich's Windrush Day (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Phaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownPhaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Phaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations.Phaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Phaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations.Phaze 2 Steel performed to crowds on Ipswich's Cornhill as part of Windrush Day celebrations. (Image: Archant)