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Windrush 2022 Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station to be Unveiled on Windrush Day 2022 The highly anticipated unveiling of Sculptor Basil Watson’s national Windrush Monument will take place on 22nd June 2022. Four years after the Windrush Commemoration Committee, created by former Prime Minister Theresa May, with Baroness Floella Benjamin as Chair to produce a statue, their efforts have come to fruition. Notwithstanding the controversy from some members of the Caribbean community over the chosen site, the Unveiling promises to be a momentous and pivotal moment in Britain’s history. Jamaican born artist, Basil Watson, expressed his delight on being selected to design the monument - a process whereby members of the public were invited to participate. He said:
“My parents, along with a great many others, took the long arduous voyage from the Caribbean with very little or nothing other than their aspirations, their courage and a promise of opportunity for advancement. This monument tells that story of hope, determination, and a strong belief in themselves.“ The sculpture itself depicts a man and his family standing on a pile of suitcases. Waterloo station has approximately 1.9 million people passing through each week and although only some of the half a million Caribbean migrants who came during the Windrush era arrived in London via Waterloo, many will be able to view and reflect on the monument for years to come.
New Initiative
Annual Windrush Day Thanksgiving (WDT) Gatherings Dr Dwain Neil OBE founder and chairman of Reach Society has announced a new initiative for all to celebrate at home, in community groups or with friends - beginning on 22nd June, National Windrush Day 2022. Reach Society and several groups in the Black community will be taking the lead by hosting gatherings to celebrate cultural esteem as part of the WDT Gatherings which this year will be held between Wednesday, 22 June and Sunday, 26 June. These gatherings will mark the beginning of annual celebrations of the contributions and achievements of four generations of British people who descend from Caribbean migrants of the era.
Dr Neil says: “In 74 years these people have contributed to all aspects of British life and Reach Society has chosen to spearhead and build awareness of the campaign.” Reach Society is known for its pioneering events with a track record for engaging and inspiring young people to choose their own pathways to success. For more information about Windrush Day Thanksgiving Gatherings contact Dr Dwain Neil OBE, Reach Society, chairman, Call: 07949 431 992; or Email: dwainneil55@gmail.com.
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Did you know?
You can attend the Southbank Centre LONDON where a large screen will be livestreaming the ceremony from 11.30am followed by Caribbean food, music and entertainment until 7pm on Windrush Day. This Event is free entry. Visit www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/windrush-commemorationcommittee for more details. Other Windrush Monument Unveilings include: Hackney, Milton Keynes, Birmingham. Visit local authority websites for more information
RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW MANGROVE NINE GARDEN A WINNER!
Silver Gilt medal winner garden courtesy RHS
A show garden with a difference at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Hands Off Mangrove by 23 year old Tayshan Hayden-Smith, founder of Grow2Know and Danny Clarke have blended politics with environmental concerns bringing attention to civil rights and issues raised by the Mangrove Nine in the 1970s - all are represented in the garden. Grow2Know explores ecology, the environment & social injustices through community-inclusive nature projects. The garden will be relocated into the community in West London. To know more visit: grow2know.org.uk/hands-off-mangrove/ www.editionbhm.com
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Art
Women leading the way Beginning with the Tate’s curation of Caribbean-British Art, Life between Islands: Caribbean-British Arts 1955-Now, this year has so far seen a glorious exploration of Black artists including female artists such as Sonia Boyce, Althea McNish and Ingrid Pollard. London-based Sonia Boyce received the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the Venice Biennale for her sound installation of Black British female singers. She was the first British artist to win the award in 29 years. The late Althea McNish was described as one of the UK’s most innovative textile designers. Her Colour is Mine exhibition is showing at the William Morris Gallery until 11 September 2022.
Kamina Johnson Smith
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS: Selection campaign forging ahead! KAMINA JOHNSON SMITH Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has been trailblazing her way through Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Accompanied by Ambassador Alison Stone-Roofe, she is a wellknown figure in the diaspora. Having spent time in England as a child, her father being a former Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK, she has bonded with the UK Diaspora and carved out an illustrious career for herself in impressive leadership roles. She was the first Jamaican Foreign Minister to attend the G7 and G20 meetings and in 2019 she served as President of the Council of the International Seabed Authority. Her Candidature for the lead role as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations 2022 highlights the significance of the Caribbean diaspora in worldwide developments and policies, the incumbent being Baroness Patricia Scotland QC. Voting will take place in Kigali Rwanda in June 2022.
Did you know? First Black MP - John Stewart Junior, the natural son of John Stewart, owner of several plantations in the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th Centuries, was elected MP for Lymington in 1832. He was thought for many years to be the first “man of colour” to be elected to Parliament. It was later discovered that James Townshend whose grandmother was of African/Dutch descent was Whig MP for West Looe even earlier - in 1767. Richard Beckford, the son of an Antiguan plantation owner and an enslaved woman, was elected MP for Bridport Dorset in 1780.
Farewell!
His Excellency Mr Seth George Ramocan CD, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the UK comes to the end of his tenure this season having served 6 years in Britain. He is also non-resident Ambassador to Ireland and several European countries. A popular figurehead in the community, His Excellency has made it his mission to get to know the diaspora nationwide. He introduced the idea of preparing a comprehensive record of the Jamaican diaspora and their achievements in Britain between 1948 and 1973 which culminated in the launch of the compendium Jamaicans in Britain: A Legacy of Leadership in March 2022. The past 6 years could be described as tumultuous at times for many in the diaspora. He has had to navigate the Windrush Scandal; the impact of the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement as well as deportations and eviction of descendants of Jamaicans who came and served in Britain decades ago. His Excellency is looking forward to retirement, having spent 13 years away from his homeland Jamaica and Editions Media wish him well!
A New Campaign on the Horizon! Windrush activist and creator of 100 Great Black Britons Patrick Vernon in Krakow, Poland on a Ubele Initiative programme to obtain feedback from displaced African students who managed to escape Ukraine. Watch this space: www.ubele.org/
RADIATE WINDRUSH FESTIVAL 25TH - 26TH JUNE Fun packed day out for family with food, music, arts & culture. Burgess Park London SE5 UK. Down: 1. Theresa, 2. Letters, 3. Ulexite, 4. Yperite. Across: 1. Tilbury, 5. Extreme, 6. Emeriti, 7. Austere.
Crossword Answers:
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In 2022... Communities across the country will once again receive a share of £500,000 from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to host events and activities to mark Windrush Day with 35 new nationwide projects. As the nation pays tribute to the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants, events will be hosted from Windrush Day and continue through to the end of the year. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/2022windrush-day-grant-scheme-projects-to-be-funded
Did you know? Windrush Day Grant Scheme - Since 2019 Caribbean communities across the country have been receiving annually a share of £500,000 from the scheme. To date 165 projects have been successfully funded by the scheme.
Fashion
One to see!
The V&A museum have committed to grow the their permanent collection of works by African and African Diaspora designers to tell stories of the rich cultural heritage and histories using fashion as a catalyst. Lorna Holder’s Style in My DNA about British-Caribbean fashion is one example of an earlier presentation. Their latest landmark exhibition Africa Fashion with designs from 20 countries begins on 2nd July 2022 - 16th April 2023. Visit: www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/africa-fashion.
BBC GOSPEL CHOIR OF THE YEAR BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year are looking for the best amateur gospel choirs in the country to take part in this popular celebration. Closing date for entries is 3rd July 2022. Finalists will be broadcast early 2023. Email sopcompetitions@ avantimedia.tv for full entry information.
Congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen! British born Flag Bearer Hisham Murray aged 12 was nominated by the Jamaican High Commission London to represent Jamaica at the St Paul’s Platinum Jubilee Service.
Dr Shirley J Thompson OBE Composer, Impresario, Filmmaker, Professor of Music, she has written operas, imagined the concept and created the much loved music New Nation Rising Symphony for the spectacular opening of the Olympic 2012 Games depicting London from 1066. A proud moment for Britain. As the Windrush Generation and their descendants forge ahead in all spheres, Dr Shirley J Thompson has made her indelible mark on the classical music scene. In a traditionally notoriously difficult arena to circumvent at any given time, she was the first woman - a Black woman - to conduct a European orchestra in almost 4 decades. Her original style and varied timbres have earned her several awards and accolades. Bringing to the fore the history of the Caribbean people, her favoured Windrush Anthem was world premiered at the Westminster Abbey Windrush 70th Anniversary Commemoration Service in 2018. With an impressive collection of operas, arias, orchestral works, music for film and television scripting under her belt, Thompson continues to make waves. She has had several Royal Commissions and her music has been performed in all the Major Opera houses worldwide. Dr Shirley J Thompson has repeatedly featured in the Power List as one of the most influential Black people as well as 100 Great Black Britons.
ANGEL FOUNDATION £Millions invested in life-enhancing projects Taking the concept of “barrelled goods for home” to new heights, equipment and services valuing millions of pounds (if bought new) have been recycled, rescued, repaired and re-used thanks to one woman’s foresight. Angelia Christian is certainly a woman of substance and her philanthropic skills know no boundaries. In October 2011 whilst on holiday in Jamaica, she almost lost both of her daughters in a swimming pool accident. On being rushed to hospital for emergency care she realised the woeful lack of equipment however, her daughters were saved thanks to the competence and skill of the attending staff.
Since that time Angelia has worked tirelessly to provide vital equipment for hospitals throughout Jamaica. If it is recyclable, Angelia can make use of it so much so that twenty years on she has provided ambulances, a mobile blood unit, hospital beds including trolley beds, wheelchairs, defibrillators, sheets and mattresses. Her work does not stop there. She has equipped schools with fully fitted computer rooms and workspaces. With the support of Victoria Mutual, Grace Kennedy UK and others she has galvanised and motivated others to support the cause.
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Angelia has impacted the lives of so many in deprived areas in Jamaica for the better. She also organised and delivered a mobile dental unit to Anambra State in Nigeria - all through The Angel Foundation, a charity she founded in 2011. The Angel Foundation is acknowledged in the book curated by Joy Sigaud Jamaicans in Britain: A Legacy of Leadership.
To find out more visit: https://angelfoundationja.com/
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A Windrush Read
BUILDING AN HERBAL TEA EMPIRE
MARK DALGETY EXPANDS THE BRAND TO AFRICA!
JAMAICANS IN BRITIAN: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Dalgety Herbal Teas today are available in the major supermarkets. It is a respected brand. With a variety of teas which claim a degree of potency for a range of ailments from inflammation to diabetes, high blood pressure to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). The brand was founded by British born Mark Dalgety.
A compendium of backstories, memories, historical facts as well as over 1000 names including 500 biographies, this coffee table book has become an instant collectors item. Charting the aspirations and achievements of people who came to Britain between 1948 and 1973 against a backdrop of scepticism, unknowing and sometimes blatant racism, the book is packed with information, stories and articles covering aspects of the lives of these Jamaicans in Britain. Every page tells a story, many of which will serve generations to come. To purchase a copy email: hcassist@jhcuk.com or visit: https://editionbhm.com/
Every Windrush descendant is aware of the stories that there is a “bush for every complaint” and Mark Dalgety took it to another level.
Did you know? The Spathiphyllum commonly known as the Peace Lily can instantly reduce air pollutants by up to 20% (goodnewsnetwork) and according to NASA this tropical plant breaks down and neutralises certain toxic gases in the air. Don’t we just love a bit of good news about our much loved houseplants!
By chopping the wild bush in the family garden in Guyana, drying then cutting it into small pieces in the
family sitting room, he crudely began bagging small amounts then brought them back to England. He made his first bulk sale in Brixton market only to discover there was greater demand than he had ever imagined. Today Dalgety has farms and factories providing jobs in Guyana and of course Britain. Further still he has provided jobs for cultivators in Jamaica and has recently expanded to Ghana from where they hope to service the West African region. With a strong base in the USA, this is indeed a Windrush legacy which just keeps growing.
Mark Dalgety
CROSSWORD ACROSS
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1. Port where HMS Windrush docked on 22nd June 1948 5. In comparison to the Caribbean climate Windrush settlers thought this of the British weather 6. Honorary title given to distinguish academics such as professors after retirement 7. Word used to describe living conditions where there are no comforts or luxuries
1. First name of the Prime minister who presided over the Windrush Scandal 2. Caribbean migrants often sent these to their loved ones abroad after arrival in Britain. 3. K nown as TV rock a crystal fibre stone known for its beautiful optical effect but too soft for use as gems 4. Mustard gas used by Italians during their invasion of Ethiopia before WW2
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National Windrush Day 22nd June commemorates the Windrush Generation who arrived from the Caribbean on the HMT Empire Windrush on 22nd June 1948 and those who arrived subsequently until 1972 as well as all their descendants. Published by Editions Media Limited, publishers of Windrush Legacy Publications and Editions Lifestyle Black History Month magazines. Editorial team: Joy Sigaud (Editor), Serena Lee, Sybil Kretzmer, Marinella Franks, Wayne Nembhard, Errol Drummond, Katie Blair. We extend thanks to all the contributors including: Arthur Torrington OBE, Jak Beula-Dodd, Dr Dwain Neil OBE, High Commission of Jamaica, RHS and Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities. We also extend thanks to our sponsors. We disclaim any and all liabilities, including damages or loss that may result from your use or misuse of this publication, its website or any of the content. Reproduction is not permitted without prior written consent of the editor. All rights reserved. ISSN 2732-4435.
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Windrush Day Commemorative River Trip Tilbury on the Thames Trust are hosting a river trip from London to Tilbury Docks - the site where the historic HMT Empire Windrush docked in June 1948 bringing the first wave migrants from the Caribbean, now known as the Windrush Generation. Guests on board will be treated to lunch and music. On arrival at Tilbury Docks they will enjoy talks, poetry readings, storytelling and a tour of the acclaimed Evewright’s Walkway of Memories exhibition before returning to London by river.
Sponsors: Editions Lifestyle Newsletters© are sponsored by the community for the community.
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