An exciting series of events marks Windrush Day 2024 in Oxford from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June. The theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Women of the Windrush’. While traditionally focus has been given to the men who disembarked from the Windrush ship this year’s festival will put the female arrivals front and centre – their stories, and their voices.
This will be the 5th year that Windrush Day has been officially celebrated in the city and the 76th anniversary of the HMT Windrush arriving at Tilbury Docks in Britain. Whilst many of the passengers settled in large cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, a number came to Oxford and built a home here. Over time, individuals and community organisations have established networks, advocated for equal rights and opportunities and made significant contributions to the city, enriching the cultural lives of its citizens. Many of those organisations and networks have been initiated and led by women.
Euton Daley of the Oxford Windrush Working Group says: “Women of the Windrush Generation have made a huge contribution to communities around the UK, Oxford is not the least of these. They have made their mark on the city and helped create its modern identity. It’s their voices we hear daily in social interactions in hospitals, shops, community centres, schools and churches. This Windrush Day we are celebrating them, and everything they’ve achieved.”
An artist is being commissioned to work with Oxford’s young people in creating a community artwork that is inspired by the experiences of the Windrush Generation in the city. The artist will work with groups of young people over the school May half-term holiday at the Pitt Rivers Museum and other locations as well as over the festival weekend at the Florence Park. Sessions will also take place at local primary schools and with the Black Excellence Project Saturday group.
Many organisations and individuals have come together to create this programme of events for local communities to get involved, share stories, learn new skills and have fun.
This year’s events have been made possible thanks to a share of £500,000 funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, administered by Near Neighbours.
Communities Minister Baroness Swinburne said: “The arrival of Windrush symbolises resilience, diversity, and the invaluable contribution of Caribbean communities to British society.
I’m proud to announce a £480,000 for a variety of projects that honour this legacy, preserving our history, educate future generations, and foster greater cultural understanding.”
This year's Windrush Day programme has also received funding from the Oxford City Council Oxford Community Impact Fund and the University of Oxford Small Community Grants Fund.
