Windrush stories celebrated during Black History Month

Inspiring stories captured by those who travelled from the Caribbean to make a new life in Leeds are being celebrated during Black History Month.

A new display at Leeds City Museum draws on the fascinating memories and experiences of the Windrush Generation, who moved to the city in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

They were named after the MV Empire Windrush, a ship which arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex, on June  22,1948, bringing workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, as a response to post-war labour shortages in the UK.

Encouraged by the British government to fill that shortage, they went on to make a huge and lasting contribution to Leeds’s culture which can still be seen today.

Moving Here: The Windrush Generation has seen the museum work with the local Caribbean community and poet and researcher Khadijah Ibrahiim to gather images and recordings which explore how life has changed for those who came to the city from islands including St Kitts and Nevis.

Elsewhere, Leeds Industrial Museum will also be hosting the hugely popular MelaninFest event as part of their celebrations for Black History Month.

The event, which has taken place in cities around the UK, aims to help people learn and discover what it means to be black and British with a programme of family friendly activities, live music performances, poetry readings, dance workshops, film screenings and exhibitions.

Visitors can also take part in family-tree workshops, make-up and fashion tutorials and hair braiding.

Pop-up food vendors will be cooking up Caribbean cuisine and serving up sweet treats from the Rae of Sunshine shack.

The event takes place at the museum on October 27 from 10am-4pm and is included with normal museum admission.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The Windrush Generation and the city’s black community have made a massive contribution to our culture, history and heritage.

“Black History Month gives us a chance to celebrate the positive impact those communities have had on Leeds and to help younger people to the learn more about this important chapter in the story of the city.”

For more information about Leeds City Museum, visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/leedscitymuseum

For details on Leeds Industrial Museum, visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/armleymills

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 378 9182 (please note my new number)

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk