Windrush

Windrush – 2018 commemorate 70 years of the arrival of The SS Windrush  at Tilbury docks  (June 1948) bringing on board more than 500 men and women to Britain from the Caribbean.  To be exact there were a reported 492 passengers.

Their arrival was at the direct result of the invitation of the British government to the people of the Caribbean Islands  (Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tabago and other islands) to come to the UK and work.   People in the Caribbean respond to the call from the ‘Mother Country’ and left families including children to travel, live and work in the United Kingdom.  Some would bring their children with them.   A shortage of labour in the United Kingdom after the Second World War, had promoted this action from the government of the time.  Opportunities to work on the British Underground, British Rail and National Health Service (NHS)  Availability of work

It is said that the arrival of  The SS Empire Windrush in June 1948 at Tilbury Dock, Essex in England marked the beginning of post-war mass migration.

Commemoration & Celebrations in 2018

There are planned celebrations for 2018, to mark this commemoration.  Notably there are events planned by The Windrush Foundation to mark this anniversary.  Celebrations began as  early as December 2017 and are planned throughout 2018.

To find out more about the Windrush era, and the Windrush Foundation visit: http://www.windrushfoundation.com