TO MARK the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, various commemorative events are being hosted including family fun days and heritage talks.

Today (June 22) marks the 75th anniversary since the arrival of Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in June 1948.

The Reading Windrush 75 project, facilitated by a £45,000 National Lottery Grant, will be celebrating the symbolic moment in British history that has shaped Reading's history.

As part of the Windrush project, Reading Museum will share stories from all of Reading’s Caribbean Island communities.

The Windrush project is designed inclusively so that it reaches out to all sections of Reading’s diverse population, offering activities for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Other Windrush 75th Anniversary activities include:

  • A Windrush Thanksgiving Service at Reading Concert Hall, bringing together representatives from the Caribbean High Commissions in the UK, representatives of the Reading Windrush Generation and the wider Reading community.
  • A Windrush Sports and Heritage family fun day to include sports events, international cricket match, children’s play area and a range of exhibitions and entertainment focusing on Windrush heritage. This is being held at Palmer Park on July 16.
  • Primary schools programme for KS1 to KS3, created in partnership with Reading Museum, and a Windrush Youth Performance by a local community theatre group.
  • A community documentation project, based on photographs, video, audio, and artefacts.
  • Community cabinet exhibition, delivered in partnership with Reading Museum Windrush Lives.
  • The award-winning Enigma of Arrival banner exhibition hosted at Reading Museum produced Barbados Museum & Historical Society.
  • A series of interviews with members of the Windrush generation about their early experiences in the UK.
  • A 'Windrush Elders' panel discussion hosted by Dr Marcia Burrowes of the University of West Indies.

Chairperson of Reading Caribbean Association Group, Jeff Jones, said: "We were all very pleased to receive the good news that the National Lottery Fund are endorsing our work to celebrate and commemorate this landmark anniversary in the history of our people.

"Working with partners at ACRE, Reading Council and AGE UK Berkshire we would love for many people to be involved with the heritage events and activities."

A spokesperson from Reading Council said the 75th anniversary of Windrush is a "perfect opportunity to honour the early Windrush pioneers who made their home in Berkshire".