Issuu

The background to the project When my mum died in 2019, I had the daunting task of going through her possessions and distributing her many books and clothing items to family and charities. I spent a lot of time reading her letters, learning about the various committees she was involved in. My Mum, her friends Gene Martin, Lynnett Bracket, Maudline Bracket, Enid Richardson, Connie Marks, Theresa Richards and others of her circle of women were a force of nature. Their stories span a lifetime of community involvement and activism. They were involved in so many projects, especially in their retirement years. I started to contemplate on all the information, the pictures, letters, fabrics and clothing dating back to the fifties, sixties and seventies. As a print designer, I took in all this information and responded the only way I knew how, and started designing prints that reflected all these influences. At the same time the Government was giving way on honouring their generation by finally acknowledging their contribution to British society. The Home Office implanted the phrase Windrush Generation in peoples’ minds, so I decided to go with the flow and use the name that has become an iconic symbol for that generation. I created the Wynderush Legacy Print Collection. Spelling it differently sets it apart from the Windrush transportation war ship that brought a number of Caribbean people to England in 1947, but at the same time placing the print collection and what it embodies in the same historical time line.

Agatha-Maudlin Clement

Born 1931 in Gouyave, parish of St. John’s Grenada. West Indies. Migrated to England in 1960 aged 27 on the ship the ESTONIA. Agatha was never married. She had four children before leaving for the UK Her children were left in the care of their grandmother Beryl Clement. Two years later her two eldest children joined her in England Then in 1968 the two youngest children joined her and the rest of the siblings. That was it, no more children for her, tall with a regal gait and nearly 6ft tall, she could now focus on her career in the nursing fraternity, first as an auxiliary nurse in Leamington Park Horn Lane to SCN midwifery, then SRN for the NHS. Working from Central Middlesex to Acton Hospital in Gunnersbury Lane. She has since retired from the NHS, and at 89 years of age resides in a Home in Northolt.

Although she was not active in any community works, Agatha-Maudlin was an avid reader and shared whatever knowledge she learnt. She delved into the science of health and well-being, including theology, and would council whomever she met, telling them about supplements, nutrients, and minerals for optimum health. Above all she would reprimand in a sweet matriarchal manner young men who were single, she'd say things to them like, why haven't you yet found a beautiful girl and settled down? There isn't a young man on Acton High Street who didn't know her, and respected her for her wise words. Part of the reason for her longevity is her deep concerns for treating her body well, she'd often say, blood is life, therefore we must eat well to produce good blood, to this day she walks with her back erect, and still has a sharp memory. She loves love, this manifests in her favourite song from the movie "Casablanca"...As time Goes By by Dooly Wilson. . (Tribute by Her Son Derek de Cutter Clement)

Agatha-Maudlin Spice print

Agatha-Maudlin Spice print colourful, vivacious and energetic

Inspired by Grenada’s most famous export- the Nutmeg.

Agatha-Maudlin Spice print leafco-ordinate

Spice Print – Colourful Optical Swirl

Agatha (Octerville) Stanley Born 1934 in Castries St Lucia Married Patrick Stanley Feb 2 1957 Emigrated to the UK by ship in 1963 Aged 29 She travelled alone to the UK with 3 of her children ages 2, 3 and 10. Patrick joined her soon after, she then went on to have 6 other children in the UK. Agatha was a homemaker and ensured her children had a positive family life while her husband worked to support the family Agatha now aged 87yrs lives in sheltered housing in South London, still mentally active, rested, well looked after and loved by her family. She is proud grandmother to 6 grandchildren and 5 greatgrand children Tribute by Her Son Samm Stanley)

Agatha Floral Print

Agatha Stanley Floral Print with check background – colourful, yet subtle with a muted check background

Agatha Floral Print Check pattern co-ordinate

Classidel Williams Born 9th June 1918 in Maldon, St James, Jamaica. Classidel was married to Ivan Williams before immigrating to England. Ivan came first in 1952 and on 29 March 1953, aged 35yrs; Classidel arrived on the ship Maroc Compagnie Generale Transatlantique via Trinidad and Tobago. She already had a son, Barrington, born in Jamaica who although invited never wanted to come to the UK. Ivan also had a daughter, Merle born in Jamaica. Classidel had 3 more children Sonia, Rosemarie and Max born in England. When her children were young she also cared for her stepdaughter, Merle who came to live with the family for a couple of years, returning to Jamaica as a teenager. Classidel loved to smile and was welcomed wherever she went. Like many Caribbean women she was very proud of her home, good with a sewing machine, loved to cook and lovingly kept a clean and tidy house. Early days she went dancing every weekend with husband Ivan at Hammersmith Palais and once they won a prize. For 10 years after all her children started secondary school, Classidel supported children in a care home in Brent, part-time first, then full-time. Many of the children kept in touch over the years and in adulthood visited her in retirement to say thank you for her nurturing family care, mentoring and encouragement. One of these young people became a Portrait Photographer and married one of her daughters. Classidel had two homes, her birth home Summer Hill (36yrs) and Wembley, England (56yrs) and would alternate between the two. She loved to travel in UK and was fortunate to be able to use to full advantage free and discount travel because Ivan worked for London Transport and they were members of the LT Social Club. Her gentle warm soul and love of life - armed her well to navigate the challenges of the then ‘hostile environment’ many of the women witnessed, battled and later on the challenges faced in old age, Diabetes and Dementia. However, she never forgot her home address and was quick to tell whoever cared for her. She was a widow for 6 years after her Ivan died in 2004, living a fruitful and enjoyable life with family who moved in and took care of her (Dementia and Diabetes) until she died aged 92 yrs. in 2010. Dearly missed by her loving family Classidel is survived by her Children Sonia and Max, 18 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren. (Tribute by her daughter Sonia Caesar)

Classidel Williams - Tropical Palm Leaves

Elford Mullings (Aunt Fernie) Born on the 1st July 1932 in Frankfield, Clarendon Jamaica Immigrated to the UK aged 26 in 1958 Married in Birmingham England - February 1961 Number of Children born in the UK - 6 Trained as a nurse, but gave up her profession due to having 6 children. She put all her energies into ensuring they had a happy and settled childhood. A reserved, loving and kind person, known by everyone as Aunt Fernie, she was a very creative and talented artist and crafts person, and spent her spare time creating beautiful handmade craft items for friends and family. Died aged 82 in August 2014 Survived by her 6 daughters, Heather, Yvette, Claudia, Abigail, Delfern and Melanie, 11 grand-children and 3 great-grand children. (Tribute by Her Daughter Heather Ellis)

Aunt Fernie Retro Floral Tropical Print – incorporating some of her favourite colours.

Aunt Fernie Retro Floral Print Suedette Cushion

Elford Mullings (Aunt Fernie) Retro Tropical Floral Print

Maudline Brackett

Born on the 6th July 1931 in Westmorland Jamaica. Maudlin arrived by boat at

Southampton Port, England 1954 aged twenty three years old and settled in Birmingham. She married Horris Brackett September 1955 in Birmingham. Due to the political unrest during the time of the Suez Canal, Maudline and her husband had a difficult time finding a decent place to live and work; so in 1957 Maudline, her husband and their three young children decided to return to Jamaica. They returned to England in1960 and settled in London. Maudline completed a hairdresser’s course and graduated 1967. She made wigs, hair pieces and created hair oil. During this time she had 5 more children.

Maudline’s family in Jamaica owned and managed food shops so she was very experienced at making delicious cakes and baked amazing bread and puddings, her famous peppered steak was always highly recommended for parties and weddings. An experienced seamstress, Maudline made most of her children's clothing and created awesome knitting and crochet pieces. She job shared in between so that she could work and help look her close friends’ children. She was a generous person with open heart who would sometimes make clothing for those that she knew did not have the money to pay. In 1974 Maudline and her family again left the UK and went to live in America, hoping to make a better life there with her husband and their seven younger children. Whilst there she worked in a Nursing home for many years until she returned to England a place she missed so much and found work at St Marys Hospital in Paddington. She later worked at a London clinic in Harley Street until she retired. Maudline was extremely proud of going to her local Methodists church and became a community church steward, visiting people who were sick. As a member of the local over 60s Pepperpot Club she volunteered and assisted in numerous activities, giving talks in local schools teaching and educating the children about her own up- bringing in Jamaica. The Pepper Pot club helped her to use all her skills to teach members painting, sewing, crochet and knitting. Maudline died in 2020 aged 89yrs, she is deeply missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grand children and members of her church community. (Tribute by her children)

Maudline Brackett Tropical Floral Buds printed fabric and products. AK-Wilde.com

Maudline Tropical Floral Buds Satin Cushion

Maudline Tropical Floral Buds Print

Gloria Rosene Kiffin Williams JP

Born 17th March in 1928 in Frankfield parish of Clarendon Jamaica Migrated to England in 1958 aged 30.She had 3 children before leaving for the UK. Mark, Karen and Gary who she left in the care of her aunt and uncle. Gloria married Roy Williams and had two boys Carl and Roy In1966, Mark joined the family with Karen arriving in1968.Unfortunately Gary died of bronchitis at a very young age. A trained beautician and hairdresser, she worked from home styling hair. She had a small clientele of friends and acquaintances. Not long after the arrival of the children from Jamaica, Gloria and her husband separated and she moved with the younger children to live in Birmingham near her sister, who at the time was a Registered Nurse. Gloria took a job as an auxiliary nurse where her sister worked. In 1972 Gloria returned with her children to live in London. She now focused on gaining her qualifications in nursing and Social Care. Gloria lived in North Kensington and was actively involved in many local groups both as a volunteer and fundraiser and in leadership roles. An active member of Jamaica’s Lingum Vitae Club, she assisted in raising funds for the clubs projects in Jamaica. She was a magistrate, and school governor at two local schools as well of being part of the management committee of her local church and a volunteer at her local Citizenship Advice Bureau. Whilst volunteering at the CAB, Gloria was involved in the inception of the Pepper Pot Club; a senior citizens club formed in 1981 geared towards meeting the needs of the ageing local Afro-Caribbean residents. The club is now funded by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and supported by many charitable institutions. Gloria was the first Co-ordinator of the Pepper Pot club, she resigned in March 1988 when she reached retirement age, but continued to serve the club in a voluntary capacity as a lifelong committee member. She also served as Chairman of the Club in 1992. Gloria embodied the spirit of the Windrush Generation, she had a strong personal connection to her home country whilst at the same time immersing herself in life in the UK, creating and using opportunities for the betterment of her community. Gloria transitioned on Thursday 4th April 2019 aged 91 joining her first born son Mark who passed in 2010. . (Tribute by Her daughter Karen Hamilton-Bannis) She is survived by her 2 sons and,daughter 14 grandchildren and 16 great grand children

13The Gloria Legacy Print – New Style Check Pattern

The Gloria Legacy Print – New Style Check Pattern

to celebrate her love of Tartan fabric.

Gloria Legacy Print Co-ordinating check pattern

Imogene (Gene) Adassa Martin

Gene Adassa Martin, affectionately known as; Mummy, Gran, Nanny, Mum-mum was born in Halls Delight, St Andrews, Jamaica on 25 December 1922. She met and married her husband Francis Martin, a church minister in St Thomas in 1940 Gene was very community minded and was active in her local church, conducting services and teaching Sunday school. She also taught primary aged children privately. Gene was reluctant to leave Jamaica, but her husband insisted so she immigrated to the UK aged 39 in March 1960. Jean had 6 children aged from 5yrs to 13 yrs. that remained in Jamaica. They joined her in the UK eight years later. She had one other child in born in the UK in 1963. Gene trained as a nurse in Jamaica; however, she was unable to obtain work as a nurse in the UK as her training was not deemed adequate enough so she became gainfully employed as a ward orderly. She worked at both the old and new Charing Cross hospitals until 1982 when she retired. Gene started her second career upon retirement; she had an amazing singing voice and engaging personality. Along with her friend Gloria she signed up to a casting agency, they took part in a number of adverts, TV appearances including pop videos for Boy George, Boyzone and Vic Reeves. She was very much a community minded person and volunteered her services at a number of functions over the years. She was an active member of her church and the Pepper Pot club. She was also active in a number of other charities. She visited local schools to share information of her youth growing up in Jamaica and to impart some of her own teachings. She was mum to all the local children. She was given many awards for her charity work and on two occasions she was awarded by the Mayor of Kensington & Chelsea. Gene died on the 17th March 2018; she leaves behind 7 children, 21 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren, who miss her very much. (Tribute by Her granddaughter Novlett)

The Gene Martin Legacy Print –Abstract Floral Shapes. Bold, Bright and Effervescent to match her vibrant personality

Lynnett Bracket

Born 1917 in Montego Bay - Jamaica. Life was not easy for her as a single woman, so Lynnett moved to the capital, Kingston and got a job working as a dressmaker, preparing police uniforms. She immigrated to the UK aged 32 yrs. in 1960 to join her brother Horris Bracket and his family. She stayed with them until she was able to get a place of her own. She had a son named Clifton born in 1954 who was left in Jamaica when she travelled to the UK. He joined her in 1964. Lynnett worked for Richmond Council for 40 years until she retired. A kind soft spoken person she was very community minded and did voluntary work at her local community centre. Lynnett died on the 29th April 2003 aged 86. She is greatly missed by her Son Clifton and 4 grandchildren

Lynnett Basket Weave Print – A subtle yet intricate pattern inspired by the traditional baskets used to carry provisions,

Lynnett Basket Weave Print – Patchwork Cushion and bedspread

Lynnett Basket Weave Print – Cushions and Purse

Enid Richardson

Born 9th June 1916 in Trinidad Enid was one of the original members of the West London Pepper Pot Pensioners Lunch Club. Trinidadian artist Enid Richardson took up painting when she was in her 70s. She was a self- taught artist who painted from memory a range of vibrant colourful images and scenes from her childhood in Trinidad. An independent and highly respected person, Enid often displayed and sold her paintings alongside other artists on the famous Bayswater road on Sunday mornings. Enid died on the 30th May 2008

Enid Retro Caribbean Garden Floral Buds inspired by Enid’s colourful paintings

Enid Retro Caribbean Garden Florals

Estherlee Born Montserrat, 23rd August 1937 Estherlee was 19rs old when she travelled to the UK in March 1956 via Italy, France and Switzerland. She was unmarried, and had 5 children

Estherlee died 5th November 1982 aged 45yrs A women & youth empowerment programme has been operating since 2020 in Montserrat the place of her birth.

EasterLee Hybrid Floral Petals

Hilda Maud Wilson Born 1919 in Denham Town, Jamaica, Hilda migrated to the UK in 1956 aged 37 years via ship. Hilda was never married, and had one daughter born in the UK with her life partner Claudius Graham. She has 2 grand-daughters, 2 great grand-daughters and 1 great-grandson Hilda has mainly had cooking jobs. At first she worked in the canteen at Woolworths and also at John Lyons Tea rooms in the early to mid- sixties. Hilda and her partner owned the restaurant that would later become The Ledbury, a world famous two star Michelin restaurant, in Ladbroke Grove. She cooked there alongside the infamous Lucky Gordon, at that time a very famous cook. The business partnership did not last and Hilda later became very well known in Ladbroke Grove as the cook at the famous Backayard restaurant in Portobello Road. Hilda was involved in a Community Playgroup for under 5’s by default. She used to take her granddaughter to the playgroup and got very involved with the running of the playgroup alongside the Manager of the group. Hilda was admitted to Chelsea and Westminster hospital for tests due to a fall and it was recommended by the Social Services and Occupational Therapist that she be discharged to a Nursing home. She is now in a home in Hammersmith and is enjoying the experience. She is still very social and loves the attention she is getting from staff and residents. She has made many new friends. Hilda celebrated her 102 birthday on 5th September 2021, with a visit from the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham and well wishes from family and friends. Hilda has been a fantastic parent and the perfect role model to her daughter, her grandchildren and great-grand-children. She has had a sometimes difficult but eventful life, but with resilience made the best of whatever was been thrown at her and has taught them all to be able do the same!! Lovingly written by her daughter Delores

Hilda Maud Wilson Abstract Caribbean Floral Shapes

Connie Goodridge Mark

Connie Mark was born 21st December 1923 in Rollington Town, Kingston, Jamaica. Connie like most of her generation who were brought up as British subjects joined the call to assist Britain during WW2. She signed up in 1943 and worked as a medical secretary (ATS) at the British Army Hospital in Kingston for ten years, during that time she was promoted to a corporal. In 1953 Connie left Jamaica and arrived in Great Britain, and was shocked to see that the contributions made by the Caribbean men and women during the two wars were not celebrated or even mentioned. She set about persuading the Imperial War Museum to create an exhibition showing the role of Commonwealth Citizens in the two World Wars. A British Commonwealth Ex-Services council member she was their only female worldwide delegate looking after the welfare of ex-British personnel. Connie also organised her own mini displays at various events highlighting the wartime achievements of women especially AfroCaribbean women, using photographs she had collected over the years. She believed in bringing awareness to the wider community she lived in. A passionate believer in community action, Connie was involved in many grassroots organisations. Some of which she founded herself. She formed the Gladioli Families Club, was a member of her local Age Concern and Commission for Racial Equality branches. Connie was a committee member of the North Kensington based senior citizens Pepper Pot Club, a social club catering to Caribbean elders. She was a founding member of the Mary Seacole Memorial Society, and was on the executive committee of the 60 plus charity. In 1992, she was awarded the BEM for services to the community. Connie died on 3rd June 2007 at Charing Cross Hospital.

Connie - Maximalist Pop Art Abstract Florals Floral