Windrush Day 2022

ON National Windrush Day today (Wednesday, 22 June), the Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with the Port of Tilbury held a celebration in the London Cruise Terminal to mark the official day where 74 years ago on the 22 June, the port played a significant role for the Windrush generation as their arrival point into the UK from their long voyage on board the SS Empire Windrush.

This year, the Trust celebrated Windrush Day by bringing people by boat down the River Thames to the Port of Tilbury following the unveiling of the new Windrush monument at Waterloo Station. The Thames Clipper boats docked where the MV Empire Windrush came in on 22 June 1948, allowing a generation of people to move through the Cruise Terminal on Tilbury’s riverside to start a new life in the UK.

Guests on board the Thames Clipper included the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury; actress Dona Croll; Alford Gardner and John Richards from the Windrush Foundation who were all treated to a lunch with onboard entertainment provided by Pegasus Opera, as guests were transported to The Port of Tilbury.

In a statement released today, Thurrock BME Group which represents minority ethnic groups in the borough, issued a statement which read: “Thurrock BME honours Afro-Caribbean immigrants who arrived on 22nd June 1948.

“It is important to recognise that since the first arrival, more than half a million migrants came to the UK to make a significant and lasting contribution to its infrastructure, economy, and culture.

“The first Windrush Day was held on June 22, 2018.

“Since then, more and more people have started participating in Windrush Day celebrations and observations to show empathy with the hardships that the previous generations of Black Britons endured and the current generations continue to endure.

“It is obvious that Thurrock is becoming more diverse. To this end, Thurrock BME is working with the Police, the Council and local health authorities to ensure that their policies reflect the citizens they represent.”

Thurrock BME Group was set up to ensure that the minority ethnic groups of Thurrock are represented at a strategic level with key policy makers. To date, we have held events with Thurrock Police on policing of the black community, stop and search etc. We have also held health awareness events, promoting the take up of the Covid vaccine, attended by a senior Government minister, Thurrock MP and Councillors.  Please contact us at admin@thurrockbme.org.uk

Article courtesy of Thurrock News Hub: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/port-plays-host-to-another-windrush-celebration-day-138738

See also: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/windrush-is-commemorated-in-thurrock-138731