Windrush Day 2020

Windrush Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 22 June 1948. The arrival of the Empire Windrush 72 years ago marked a seminal moment in Britain’s history and has come to represent the rich diversity of this nation.

Those who arrived on the Empire Windrush, their descendants and those who followed them have made and continue to make an enormous contribution to Britain, not just in the vital work of rebuilding the country and public services following World War 2 but in enriching our shared social, economic, cultural and religious life.

Overcoming great sacrifice and hardship, the Windrush Generation and their descendants have gone on to lead the field across public life, in business, the arts and sport. Britain would be much diminished without their contribution.

In June 2018, the government announced an annual Windrush Day to encourage communities across the country to commemorate the Windrush story on Windrush Day and throughout the year.

The national celebration is backed by a £500,000 Windrush Day Grant Scheme overseen by a Windrush Day Advisory Panel of community representatives.

Visit the Windrush Foundation website here. Read more Windrush stories by visiting the British Library website here. Visit the Lambeth website here 

Join in and raise your voice in unity with residents, businesses, schools and colleges across  Lambeth at 10.27am on Monday 22 June.  We are being called together so sing a special version of a universally loved song in honour of the  Windrush Generation. 

The time of 10.27am represents the arrive of 1,027 people on the original Empire Windrush.  We will be getting our students in school to join in with staff singing. Please join in at home! There are no excuses not to join in. The words can be found in the song pack below.