What's happening at the Nottingham Windrush Celebrations this weekend

For LeftLion readers, how would you describe your role in the Windrush national organization and in the upcoming celebrations as a whole?

Clive: My role is as the local coordinator for the Windrush celebrations that's taking place. I've managed to assemble, with the help from a lot of people, a group of volunteers who have been very dedicated in planning the celebrations. We’ve been doing this now on an increasing scale since 2018. As someone who has been a part of responding to the original scandal in supporting people, I'm very much aware also, that we do need to celebrate the Windrush generation. 

Joy: I am part of the Windrush Planning Team. I work closely with Clive assisting in organising the Windrush Events in Nottingham - he calls me the Co-ordinator. Through my job and the church I know and I'm known by many people in the Nottingham community in different roles and capacities so I'm able to approach people for assistance in areas we need help with.

In seven years of organising, do you think your perceptions of the celebrations of the day have changed in any way?

Clive: Yes. I think that there is an increasing recognition that the Windrush generation should not be tainted or defined by the Windrush scandal, and that we need to really raise the game on recognising that extraordinary contribution that the Windrush generation has made.

I think there is still an ongoing message that needs to happen, and that's why, intentionally, this year, we have sought to work to be more inclusive of young people, so that generation links back to the original pioneers.

The theme for this year is 'Pioneers of progress, champions of tomorrow'. How is that going to be implemented in the celebrations?

Clive: Number one - ‘pioneers of progress’ is to remember, recognise and commemorate those original pioneers - those who came over in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Sadly, we are losing so many now, and we want to give them their flowers now. When they were at the prime of their life, they said, ‘I'm going to leave the Caribbean islands, and I'm going to head over to a distant motherland and try to make my life better for myself and my family’ - and for the nation that was crying out with a labour shortage after two world wars.

The champions of tomorrow are signalling this current generation to say, ‘Look, you are beneficiaries of that pioneering work that withstood the integration and the discrimination. And now you have an opportunity to let your talent shine, and that has come with a cost and with a price. So be a champion and recognise your talent and the opportunity that you have to do something you know has been fought for.’ 

Joy: Bridging the gap between the older and younger generation is a passion of mine. I am encouraging the younger generation to have conversations with their grandparents because so much can be learned from them. I always say when the older generation passes on, a part of history dies with them, so make time to spend with them and garner as much information as possible.

How do you see the balance between the celebratory elements of the day and the calls for social justice, linking to the scandal seven years ago?

Joy: As long as we continue to commemorate Windrush, I personally don't think that scandal and calls for justice will ever be forgotten. The celebration of Windrush Day was birthed out of the scandal. It's all about keeping the issue alive and relevant.

Clive: We are still determined and resolute to ensure that justice prevails for the British generation as a result of the Home Office Windrush scandal. There are still people who are going through the process, and they need to be supported to get through the process. This is critical. 

The reality is, without the Windrush scandal, there would be no Windrush Day celebration, because such was the appalling nature of that scandal that the government had to do a number of things. One was the setting up of the compensation scheme, and the second thing was to actually start to recognize the extraordinary contribution of the Windrush generation, and to celebrate that. 

One of the reasons why the scandal broke was the lack of recognition and acknowledgement of this generation that came over to actually rebuild the country. And it was that almost lack of institutional memory and thoughtlessness which also characterised the treatment of the Windrush generation. I think the government recognised that and having the celebration is part of trying to restore the harm and the injustice. So we must not see the two independently as such, but one as a result of the other, and I think that's a fair tension to do.

The celebration is not only to celebrate the Windrush generation now, but for the wider nation, the more indigenous nation, to understand why that generation came over and what great work and contribution they have given.

How are you hoping that the celebrations will help people understand Black British history in the context of Nottingham, and how do you think they are helping as well?

Joy: The Windrush Celebrations brings a greater understanding of Black British History. When speaking with some British people, they have no idea what Windrush is about and why it's celebrated. The involvement of the schools, colleges and universities can definitely help students to understand Black British History, this shouldn't be only taught in October when it's Black History Month.

Clive: Nottingham is a very diverse city, with over 42% made up of black and native minorities. So it has a long history of being inclusive – back in 1958 there were the first race riots. Nottingham is a proud recipient of having the first professional black footballer to play for England. We've got so many firsts, so I see this as an opportunity for Nottingham to be saying, ‘We are diverse, we are inclusive. We recognize that the Windrush generation are here, and they're here to stay. They've made a contribution, and we want to do what we want to be part of that education’. 

The celebration is part of education. And the celebration, what we're doing this year for Nottingham, is really giving an exposure to young, emerging talent, singers, dancers, performers, rappers, poets, and we're saying to them, you come and take centre stage now. 

We're doing that in a way whereby some of them may have a direct connection to the Windrush generation, whether it's their heritage from the Caribbean, perhaps grandparents, parents. We have to recognize as well that we have biracial, multi-racial people: part of their racial heritage would be Caribbean, some of it would be white, and they're involved. 

I think it's about getting that story. For Nottingham, this is an opportunity where we continue to say, ‘People from diverse backgrounds have been here for a long time, and we're giving an opportunity here to celebrate that in a very inclusive and educational and celebratory way.’

I guess it's hard not to think about the current misconceptions and hostilities about immigration, particularly as of very recently. How do you see the importance of Windrush Day in light of that?

Clive: That's why we have to use Windrush to understand history and migration and what it means to this country. To use that phrase: ‘I am here because you were there’ - understanding that there is a colonial history, and that this country was saying, we are reaching out to you because you are a part of us.

The Windrush celebration is about demonstrating our common humanity and our respect for difference, and how we can work together and live together. When we were needed in the war, there were people from the Caribbean who served in the war. Over 16,000 joined the British West Indian regiment in the First World War, the only formation of a regiment in the First World War. Many people joined the RAF in the Second World War. If we were fit enough to die and to fight alongside each other, why is it we're not fit enough to live alongside each other? So this is a great reminder of Britain's historical emergence over the colonial years as an integrated United Kingdom, and the Windrush generation is very much a part of that.

Joy: In the light of hostilities and misconceptions in the mainstream about immigration and its impact, it is important that the celebration of Windrush is highlighted as I believe it helps people to understand why immigration is important. The Windrush Generation were invited to the UK to assist in rebuilding the country after World War II. People came over here with qualifications not to take jobs from the residents as it so often thought. The celebrations also give people the chance to ask questions about things they do not understand.

Are there any highlights, artists or performers on the program you are particularly looking forward to?

Clive: I'm looking forward to a range of different artists who are going to be there, because I think it's important that we celebrate the mixture of artists as well. We’ve got SUNIQ, who's going to be performing. As well as the young people, we're going to be having a gospel choir there: Sing It Bold. We’ve got Paul Williams, and a poet who is actually his mother, Victoria Williams. And we’ve got a couple of schools who are going to be providing some animation as well. So there's gonna be a real mixture.

Joy: The boat cruise is certainly one of the highlights of the Windrush Celebrations. I thoroughly enjoy both the cruise and the entertainment at Binks Yard as I believe there is something for everyone. Ultimately, everything is organised with our Windrush Elders in mind and it is our aim to honour them and make them feel appreciated while they are still with us. I would say, we're "giving them their flowers" while they are still able to appreciate it. I look forward to seeing the smiles on the elders' faces, their reactions and them expressing their gratitude. Seeing the young artistes perform at the Festival of Live Entertainment - MalchiJah - the one to watch!

Could you talk a bit more about how you think about putting together the program each year - how you think about changing certain things and keeping others the same?

Joy: Each year, there is a slight variation in what we bring to the table. It is important and vital to have different activities, it's refreshing, keeps people interested and it gives the public something to look forward to. Also other organisations may be organising Windrush activities, so it is good to have a team who can present fresh ideas not duplicating what someone else is doing.

Clive: We have had an intentional, deliberate emphasis on including more diverse young people this year. It's also important to say that what we're doing uniquely, which we haven't done before, is that we're actually having the civic service outside in the outdoor complex, and not within the Council House. It’s going to be taking place at the Binks Yard - I think that will give it a different feel and different experience. So we're looking forward to that as well.

Anything else you wanted to mention?

Clive: We are running a boat cruise on Friday 20 June. Tickets are selling very fast. In fact, you might not get a ticket now! It's a very popular activity, a two hour boat cruise with a meal thrown in. You can get your tickets by booking one via the Pilgrim Church website. That's another thing that we're doing. Overall we see the day as both being a day of commemoration, acknowledgement and also celebration.

Joy: Another highlight is the Windrush Tent at the Nottingham Carnival in August where we encourage people to come along for information, especially about compensation which can be claimed if you feel you've suffered through injustice. There is usually a speaker at designated time who gives a talk on their struggle or experience of injustice and gaining compensation, There's also a Q&A session. People can access information through various forums i.e. the Pilgrim Church Website, @Nottinghamwindrushcelebrations on Instagram, and The Pilgrim Church Notts UK page on Facebook.

Organising the music lineup for the events is Parisa East, founder of Notts based music night Acoustickle, which celebrates jazz, soul, RnB, hip hop, neo-soul, and spoken word. Parisa, what do you have planned for the day's entertainment - any highlights you want to mention?

Parisa: This line up truly reflects the Notts-based Windrush Generation and their descendants, as well as all the genres that have been created by such a pioneering group of society. We have outstanding performers, from children to grandparents - Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and even Windrush Elders. The special guest headline is a legend of the Jamaican reggae scene, and leading up to it we have emerging artists from jazz to soul, R&B, hip-hop, poetry and Gospel music. It's all free entry and family friendly which is amazing too.

The Nottingham Windrush Celebration weekend takes place between Friday 19 - Sunday 21 June. For more information about specific events and times, please head to the website below.

thepilgrimchurch.org