Croydon prepares to pay tribute to the Croydon Windrush Generation

Croydon’s celebration of the Windrush Generation gets underway with a special exhibition of artefacts, memories and stories in the Croydon Museum, which launches on Wednesday 12 June.

The organisers, All Islands Together, would welcome residents to submit their memories and items from the 40s and 50s in the UK by emailing aitwindrush@gmail.com The free exhibition runs until Thursday 31 October.

The museum exhibition is the start of a month-long celebration of the Windrush Generation and their contributions to Croydon.

Councillor Patsy Cummings, Croydon Council’s BAME Champion, said: “This year’s events will celebrate the tremendous contribution this community has made to Croydon and the rest of the UK.

“The highlights of our celebrations will be a special dinner and awards afternoon on Friday 21 June, a celebration with all communities in the heart of Croydon town centre on Saturday 22 June, and a thanksgiving service on Sunday 23 June.”

The dinner is open to everyone, and complimentary to Windrushers aged 65 and over. It will take place at the De Vere Selsdon Estate Hotel. Pre-booking is essential and tickets can be booked from aitwindrush@gmail.com or on 07821 612280.

National Windrush Day is on Saturday 22 June and Croydon will celebrate with a Windrush Street Party & Caribbean Cookout.

The party will include Caribbean arts, crafts, book stalls, performances by the Endurance Steelpan Orchestra and IDMC Gospel Choir, a poetry jam at the Front Room, music from the era from DJ Daddy Ernie & Neville King as well as jerk, vegan and Caribbean cuisine and free giveaways.

Other events include an awards ceremony for school pupils who have told the story of the Windrush Generation’s legacy.

There will also be two film nights at the David Lean Cinema, ‘We Sing U Sing’ Music Festival, a TEDx Talk and a Windrush exhibition in the Fairfield Halls in September.

Croydon Minster will host a multi-faith Windrush thanksgiving church service on Sunday 23 June, celebrating the borough’s diversity and the impact different communities have made on the British way of life.

“Last year Croydon Council became the first local authority in the country to establish and celebrate an annual Windrush Day in recognition of the rich diversity Commonwealth citizens have brought to the borough.

“We also passed a motion which includes reviewing our own policies and procedures to ensure we support Windrush residents who have been affected by national policies.

“Croydon has a rich heritage and this council is proud of its diverse communities.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council

Croydon Council is supporting a range of different community events across the celebration. Check online to see a full list of events.

2019-05-30T09:24:11+01:00 May 30th, 2019|Recent news|