Commemorating Windrush Day

Saturday, 22 June, marks Windrush Day 2024 - 76 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex in 1948, carrying the first Caribbean migrants to the UK to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War and build the foundations of our NHS.
 
On Windrush Day, communities across the country celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants and remember their hard work and sacrifices as well as recognising and celebrating their contribution to our economy, our health service, the arts and our communities here in Kent and across the UK.
 

As part of last year's celebration to mark the 75th anniversary in 2023, we joined the KCC Staff Ethnic Diversity Forum for a very special event that provided an opportunity to speak to some of our Windrush elders about their experiences and learn more about how they have helped to shape the Kent that we know.  

The Chairman of KCC, Mr Gary Cooke said: 

“Kent is privileged to be the home of many of the Windrush Generation and the Staff Ethnic Diversity Forum here at KCC wanted a flag that was personal to Kent and the county town of Maidstone.

“We are delighted we can fly this flag above County Hall for Windrush 75 and honoured that it is the only flag of its type in the country.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cooke said: “We say thank you to those Windrush pioneers not just for the skills and experiences you brought with you, but also for the hope and determination, because with that you helped to shape a nation for the better and you were the catalyst that now leads us to celebrate a modern and diverse Great Britain.”​​​​​​​