The 75th anniversary of Windrush and the impact of Caribbean culture on British life is being marked in a series of events organised by the Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, and Lancaster City Museum.
The Windrush generation came to the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971 – named after the Empire Windrush, one of the first immigration ships, which docked at Tilbury on June 22, 1948 to help address a post-war UK labour shortage.
The Dukes has been awarded £9,850 by the National Lottery Community Fund to support local community events and is organising drama workshops with Lancaster and Morecambe primary schools and film screenings. An exhibition at Lancaster City Museum explores the role that museums and cultural institutions can play in conversations and movements, engaging with Black heritage, race, racism and heritage.
Carolyn Dalton, Lancaster city council’s museum development manager, said: “The positive contribution of the Windrush generation to rebuilding post-war Britain has often been little appreciated or understood. Lancaster City Museums are delighted to be working with the Dukes to promote engagement with this important part in the country’s history.”
Carl Woodward, head of creative communities at the Dukes, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Lancaster City Museum on what will be a historic celebration of Caribbean culture in Britain and look forward to giving our cultural spaces over to such an important anniversary as we join national celebrations of our shared history.”