Windrush debate held in Bradford for 75th anniversary

It is 75 years since the Empire Windrush ship carried one of the first large groups of West Indian migrants from Jamaica to the UK.

The Windrush generation has long been defined by the scandal which surfaced in 2017. 

But many people want to rewrite the history books by sharing the long-hidden experiences of those who accepted the Government’s call to help and Windrush’s lasting legacy.

It could be churches bought as safe spaces, the ‘aunties’ keeping Quadrille dancing alive, or children channelling the spirit of Windrush in everything they do. 

“Don’t think every time we think about Windrush it’s just about the hostile environment the Government has imposed on people of colour,” said Nigel Guy, director of Windrush Generations.

Hosts and guests at the Let's Talk All Things Windrush debate in the chamber at Bradford's City Hall (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “The sense of who I am today is by virtue of that nurturing I had from my parents who came from the Caribbean in the 60s. I was born in Bradford, I’m a proud Bradfordian.

“It’s about the seven Cs of Windrush - the contributions, commemorations, celebrations, care, challenges, conflicts and change.”

The Caribbean men and women who came to rebuild Britain after the war were highly-skilled, successful people.

The Windrush generation - many of whom fought in the war - became a vital part of the nation’s NHS, postal service, public transport, and bustling high streets full of independent businesses.

“They bought houses,” said Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, whose aunt and uncle ran the Blue Moon Café on Lumb Lane.

“They were turned away from churches. Imagine a vicar telling you not to come back. But we went into our kitchen and had bible study, then the school hall, then the same churches, we ended up buying them.

“Our contribution has not been shared as effectively as it should. 

“I’ve heard people in the House of Commons, ‘These immigrants are British’. They came here as British citizens.

“There was no common sense to say you’ve gone to school here, you’ve got a national insurance number, you work here, but you’re an illegal immigrant, leave the country.

“This is why we need to be around decision-making tables.”

The event at Bradford's City Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Glenda Caesar, who grew up in Hackney, only learnt about the extraordinary career of flight sergeant Peter Brown at his funeral.

Mr Brown was one of the first black pilots who enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in September 1943. He was among around 6,000 Caribbeans who joined in the war effort.

“I’m 62 and I never knew we had so many pilots,” Glenda, who flew from Dominica to be part of the event in Bradford, said.

Glenda was brought by her parents to the UK at three years old. 

“One by one they brought my other siblings over until they could afford to buy a house,” she said.

“My mother and father were very strict on education. My mum always encouraged us to work for the Government. I remember a letter coming through the door and I saw typing. I always wanted to be a secretary. She didn’t have enough but it was my dream and she paid for it. I went into the NHS. By 18, I had three children but one thing I didn’t do was forget my education.

“Having children, working for the NHS, for that to be taken away from me was one of the saddest things in my life. It didn’t only affect me, it affected my children. 

“What it did show me was we didn’t learn enough about our history. We’re history. We didn’t know back then. The scandal has brought out what me as a young person didn’t know.”

Calling for the Government to put Black history on the curriculum, she said: “We need that recognition in schools so children know, ‘That’s my role model, I can be that person’. 

“Let’s start it from the bottom and we can start taking it to the top.”

A Home Office Spokesperson said the Government has paid or offered more than £72 million in compensation to those affected by the Windrush scandal. 

The spokesperson said: “The whole of Government is committed to righting the wrongs of Windrush.

“We know there is more to do, and we continue to reach out to communities so that everyone who may be eligible for the scheme has the support they need to apply.

 “We continue to work tirelessly to make sure such an injustice is never repeated and that Government is worthy of the communities it serves.”