We have had a series of events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Windrush – the mass migration of people from the Caribbean to Britain after the second world war following the request by the then British Government.
On 22nd June 1948 the SS Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury Docks, London bringing the first 492 people from the Caribbean to Britain.

A large number of the Association's members are part of that history and many of them have worked at Watford General and other hospitals in the area. They have also worked in the printing industry, car manufacturing, and transport.

The Windrush and Recollections programme is a series of events the Association has organised around the historical icon the SS Empire Windrush.

In April 2009 a photographic exhibition titled Windrush: Recollections and Accounts was launched at the Watford Museum. The exhibition tells the story of those who migrated here to Watford from Africa and the Caribbean through their own photographs. This project is funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

“I think that exhibition was outstanding because the pictures are interesting and I have learnt some new interesting facts.”
Ria Hendrickson, aged 10

“I found the exhibition very fascinating as I too was born in Tanzania, East Africa and my early years in London were similar to what is displayed here. Congratulations to WACA for keeping the memory alive!”
Jaffer Bhimji, Chairman Watford Area Arts Forum

Part of that exhibition was re-launched at Watford General Hospital canteen during July. The Windrush exhibition was again displayed at the Watford Campus of West Herts College as part of our Black History month events in October. We also organised workshops for schools and the general public. The workshops look at the effect this migration has had on British life and culture as well as life in the Caribbean and Africa.

Our activities for Black History Month culminated in the ‘Windrush Diamonds Awards ceremony on 29th October at the Park Inn Hotel. These awards were to honour those migrants for their contributions Watford.

“Thank you for lunch, the awards and entertainment. A well organised occasion.”
Nerissa V. Petrie, Watford

“Thank you for a lovely lunch/celebration. Well done all you magnificent elders!”
Lorna Cunningham, Guidepost Trust

We’ve also collected oral histories from those people originally from Africa and the Caribbean who have settled in Watford and are of the Windrush generation. These stories are being collated in a DVD which will be launched in the spring of 2010. A Booklet would also be produced to accompany the DVD.

Please click here to see the photo gallery.