Posts Tagged ‘WindrushDay’
Review of Windrush Play ‘Streets Paved With Gold’, a one-man play written and performed by Victor Richards.
On a warm evening on 21st June, 2023 we gathered at the UCLAN Media Centre in Preston for a performance of Victor Richards’ play ‘Streets Paved With Gold’ organized by Preston Black History Group to commemorate the Windrush 75th anniversary.
It was a full house in the small theatre in the Media Centre, including many members of Preston’s African Caribbean community as well as members of Preston Historical Society and other interested Preston people.
Victor decked the stage with items that resonated with the African Caribbean audience and treat us to a riveting monologue that explored the experiences of his fictional character, August Cleveland Johnson, from his life in the Caribbean, his decision to answer the call to help Britain rebuild after WW2 through the disappointing reception he received here in the UK to building a life here for himself and his family.
There were many moments of laughter and appreciation from the African Caribbean members of the audience with details that echoed their own experiences. Audience members also expressed the fact that certain moments brought tears to their eyes. There was music, ‘moves’ (as ‘August’ showed off his dance skills), beautiful dresses worn by ‘August’s’ wife in her younger days, and anecdotes through the years. The performance kept the whole audience spellbound.
Afterwards there was a lively Q&A session where all sections of the audience explored the subjects raised in the play – from confirming their own experiences to describing the similar experiences of other migrant groups in the past and also in the present.
It was an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening for all, and a fitting way to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMS Windrush in 1948.
PBHG would like to thank our partners, UCLAN, the Harris and Preston City Council for making this performance possible.
Windrush Day 2020
On Monday 22nd June at 10am the newly designed Windrush Celebration flag was raised above Preston Town Hall to mark Windrush Day. The event celebrated the wide-ranging contributions of the Windrush community to the city.
The event was attended by PBHG Chair, Clinton Smith as well as many of our other friends in the Caribbean community and other Commonwealth neighbours.
Preston Mayor, Councillor David Borrow, commented “The raising of this flag on Windrush day recognises the struggle endured by the Windrush generation.
“It also marks the vast and continued contribution people from across the Commonwealth have made to Preston and the UK as a whole through music, food, business and their invaluable addition to our NHS and front line services.
“I am proud to be part of raising this flag and saying thank you to everyone who has added to the rich cultural tapestry of our city.”
Thanks to Tony Maiden for some great pictures.
Our good friend David Knight Collete Francis and Glenda Andrew The new flag over the Town Hall door Colette Francis Preston Mayor, Councillor David Borrow PBHG Chair, Clinton Smith and Seirina Johnrose join the Mayor Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston Council Clita Rathbone Zena Taylor A cheer for the Windrush Generation The mayor, the Leader of Council with Councillor Nweeda Khan Glenda Andrew, Co-Founder of Preston Windrush Generation and Descendants UK
Windrush Day 2020
To Celebrate Windrush Day 2020 we’d like to share some of the photos from our 2019 celebrations organised with IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research) andf SDA Church, Grimshaw St, Preston.
