Windrush celebration as Swansea venues pays tribute to past generation

Brangwyn Hall is hosting a special screening on November 20 at 4pm of the film Windrush Cymru@75 in front of an invited audience at an event that’ll include celebrations of Caribbean and Commonwealth music, dance and food and the launch of Black History Swansea 365.

Among those speaking will be the founder of Windrush Cymru Elders Roma Taylor, Dr Mahaboob Basha from Swansea University, Race Council Cymru Chair Judge Ray Singh CBE and Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council.

The external lights at Brangwyn Hall and Guildhall will also be lit up in red, green, blue and yellow which are the Windrush colours.

“Swansea has a proud tradition of welcoming communities from around the world to our city. The contribution of the Windrush generation to the economic, cultural and social life of our city and our country has been immense over the years,” explained Cllr Stewart.

“That’s why the council is so pleased to be hosting a special screening of Windrush Cymru@75 which documents and celebrates the stories and contribution of the Windrush generation, their children and grandchildren.

“The Brangwyn Hall event is an opportunity to tell the stories, learn the lessons and share the ambitions for our city’s diverse communities in the years ahead.”

“Swansea is Wales’ first Human Rights City and a City of Sanctuary. Communities in our city speak almost 150 languages and our diverse, creative city has been strengthened thanks to the contribution and commitment of those of the Windrush generation who chose to settle with their families in this part of Wales.”

The Windrush generation began arriving in the UK in 1948 from the Caribbean following the British Nationality Act, which gave people from the then British Empire colonies the right to live and work in the UK.

The first arrivals from the Caribbean docked at Tilbury Docks on the Thames on June 22, 1948, aboard HMT Empire Windrush. It was carrying just over 1,000 passengers and two stowaways on their way to start a new life in London.

It’s been estimated around 500,000 people from the Caribbean and other Commonwealth countries took advantage of the provisions of the British Nationality Act between 1948 and 1971.

The Windrush Cymru Elders was set up in 2017 by Roma Taylor, just ahead of the 70^th anniversary of Empire Windrush. Among its aims is to bring together and foster understanding amongst older people from the diverse communities in Wales and to share culture and experiences through art, drama, dance and music.

You can find out more about Windrush Cymru Elders here: https://racecouncilcymru.org.uk/windrush-cymru-elders