An event celebrating the massive contribution the Windrush generation has made to Britain is being held in Ipswich on Sunday.
Live music, food stalls, children’s activities, an interactive Windrush exhibition and a festival of football are among the host of entertainment on offer at the Ipswich Windrush 70th Celebration at Bourne Vale Social Club, in Halifax Road.
Live musical acts include special guest Lov’Ellis, also known as Lovella Ellis, the daughter of the late reggae star Anton Ellis, Darien Prophecy, Cherise Phillips, the Ipswich Reggae Choir, Irie J, and DJ Skippa J.
This is the first event from the Windrush Select Committee, which formed in February.
Max Thomas, the group’s coordinator, said: “The event is about celebrating the achievements of the Caribbean people and the contribution they have made to the country.
“The aim of the day is to promote awareness of the contributions of that generation - when the first of them got off the Empire Windrush.
“A lot of people don’t realise that was the moment the doors opened for us to come and help rebuild the motherland.
“They were all subjects of the Queen when they came over, they already thought of themselves as British subjects, abided by British rules, had British manners and became part of British churches.
“The labour force was very sparse at that time after the war so we came to do the jobs people didn’t want to do.”
Mr Thomas said the event wasn’t just about remembering the past, but looking to the future as well.
“We are trying to bring families together, the community together so we can celebrate the talent we have in Ipswich,” he said.
“When you look at the line-up on stage, 90% are from Ipswich, if you look at the people cooking, they are Ipswich people - everything has come from the people of Ipswich.”
The event is being supported by organisations including the Suffolk FA, Sainsbury’s, Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality, Ipswich Community Radio and the Suffolk African History Collective.
Mr Thomas said the group were keen to borrow a laptop to help display images as part of their interactive exhibition.
If you can help, contact windrushcelebration@gmail.com
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