Carnival Windrush at National Memorial Arboretum

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Sun 06 Aug 2023

The rich contributions of the 'Windrush Generation' to life in the UK is to be celebrated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Carnival Windrush is a commemorative cultural event at the Arboretum in Alrewas, near Lichfield, on August 6 which aims to explore the rich contributions made by migrants from the Caribbean. The immersive and vibrant commemoration celebrates the legacy of the HMT Empire Windrush which arrived on UK shores 75-years ago, and the significant role the ‘Windrush Generation’ played in rebuilding the country after the Second World War.

Created in collaboration with female a cappella quintet Black Voices, associate partners of the Arboretum, the free day-long event promises to captivate visitors with its poetry, invigorating music, soulful songs and mesmerising dances. Hosted by BBC WM's Nikki Tapper, Carnival Windrush will feature carnival-themed arts and crafts, a colourful carnival procession, steelpan workshops, and captivating performances by Black Voices, ACE Dance and Music, the Notebenders, the Reggaelators, and many other talented artists.



Nikki said: “Carnival Windrush will be a fantastic celebration of the legacy, tenacity, resilience, style and poise of the pioneering migrants from the Caribbean who were invited to this country to assist with reconstruction in the wake of the Second World War. It is an honour and a blessing to be hosting this event at the National Memorial Arboretum - such a fitting and significant location, focused on remembering those who have sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of defending freedom and creating opportunities for the people of this country.”

After the Second World War, large parts of Britain were in desperate need of rebuilding, so the UK actively invited migrants from Commonwealth nations to fill essential roles in many different industries, including the railways, construction sector, and the NHS. On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks, bringing more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean and marking the starting point of a wave of Caribbean migration from 1948 to 1971, which became known as the ‘Windrush Generation’. It is estimated that nearly half a million men and women from the Caribbean emigrated to the UK during this period, helping to rebuild the country and contributing toward British culture and identity.



During Carnival Windrush, the ‘Windrush Pioneers’, a group of Windrush migrants and their descendants, nominated by care homes and community centres to represent the broader community, will participate in a moment of thanksgiving and reflection. The poignant moment will be an opportunity for everyone to contemplate how the 'Windrush Generation' has helped shape modern Britain. The programme also boasts a highly anticipated premiere performance by the 'Sounds of Windrush' massed schools choir, a project facilitated by Black Voices. Over an eight-week period, Black Voices collaborated with schools across the Midlands to help pupils explore the story of the 'Windrush Generation' through the power of music and song. The culmination will be a mass performance of ‘Across the Sea’ on August 6.

Another new composition by Ken Burton, ‘We Honour You’, will be performed as an ensemble by a group of adult choirs recruited from across the West Midlands - Lichfield Gospel Choir, The Reggae Choir (Birmingham), Town Hall Gospel Choir (Birmingham), Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, Voices Entwined (Walsall) and Black Voices. The choirs will also independently perform a selection of songs on the main stage throughout the day.



Black Voices founder Carol Pemberton MBE said: “Those who migrated on board HMT Empire Windrush, to help rebuild the economy after World War II, have paved the way for today's Black Britons. I am one of ten children to parents of the Windrush Generation. It is because of their journey that I have been able to travel every continent and perform before royalty and presidents as part of Black Voices. It has been wonderful to introduce hundreds of school pupils from across the Midlands to the dreams, ambition and resilience of the Windrush pioneers.

Arboretum Lead Mark Ellis commented: “We are bringing carnival colours, music and sounds to the Arboretum as we celebrate and commemorate the resilience, contributions and cultural impact of the Windrush generation on the identity and history of Britain. Sharing incredible stories of service and sacrifice has always been at the heart of the Arboretum’s activity programme, so we are particularly keen to hear how students have engaged with inspirational and moving stories from the Windrush generation in their own classrooms as part of our workshops led by Black Voices.”

Entry into the Arboretum, and Carnival Windrush is free, though advance booking is recommended to guarantee entry and save on parking. For more information visit: https://www.thenma.org.uk/what's-on/events/carnivalwindrush.

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#culture
#memorial
#history
#community


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