Windrush Day in Northampton

Windrush Day will be celebrated this year on June 22 with a flag raising ceremony at midday in front of the Guildhall.

The national standard Windrush flag will be raised at midday to mark 74 years since the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush in London - where the generation of Caribbean immigrants got their name.

Invitees will see the Windrush Flag raised at 10am at The Guildhall before hearing from guest speakers including Bishop Donovan Allen, Vice Lieutenant Morcea Walker.

Later that day at 6pm there will be a service of Reflection, Prayer and Praise at the New Testament Church of God in Northampton.

Northampton Town Council has teamed up with West Northamptonshire Council to organise the events to celebrate the contributions to society made by the Northampton’s Windrush generation and their descendants.

Windrush Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom every year on June 22 to mark the arrival of Afro-Caribbean immigrants to the shores of Britain and honour the British Caribbean community. An estimated half a million people made their way to England after the Second World War.

The Windrush carried several hundred Caribbean migrants, many of them veterans of the Second World War, who were encouraged to migrate to Britain to address shortages in the labour market.

Many more followed suit from all over the Commonwealth after the war and became known as the Windrush generation.

Councillor Dennis Meredith, Mayor of Northampton, will attend the event. He said “It is so important we celebrate and acknowledge our Windrush generation, to honour the British Caribbean community here in Northampton and across the country for the contribution they and their descendants have made in rebuilding our society after the Second World War.”

Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Councillor Jonathan Nunn said “The legacy of the Windrush generation means so much to so many. I am delighted we are celebrating the fifth annual National Windrush Day on June 22nd this year in Northampton. It is extremely important to mark the outstanding contributions that the Windrush Generation and their descendants have made, and continue to make, to British Society, including West Northants.”

If you would like to attend either event, please email mayor@northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk.