THE annual Windrush Day will be celebrated in Tilbury later this month – subject, of course, to a lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

Windrush day is an annual event to mark the anniversary of the arrival on 22 June 1948 of 492 Caribbean people at Tilbury Docks on board the Empire Windrush ship.

That is the official figure, other reports suggest there were as many as 1,027 but whatever the number – it proved to be a historic and momentous event.

After World War II, the United Kingdom's economy needed to be repaired. In doing so, the British government recruited Afro-Caribbean migrants and offered them jobs.

They were the forerunners of generations to people of Caribbean ancestry who made their home in the UK.

These jobs included the production of steel, coal, iron, and food, and also jobs in the service sector, such as running public transport and staffing the new National Health Service in the United Kingdom.

Last year's celebrations were largely cancelled because of the Covid pandemic but it hoped this year will see people returning to the Thames to mark the event.

A community interest company, Zedgeneration CIC has been set up to help organise the commemorations.

On Tuesday, 22 June it is hoped a flotilla will travel along the Thames and land at the Tilbury quay as a prelude to a day or celebration based around the adjacent World's End pub where the Thurrock Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic goup (BAME) will be hosting a party.

There will be live music including jazz, reggae, and a flavour of Carribean culture with food, drink, and laughter thrown into the mix!

On 26 June, the long-awaiting public launch of the Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories should happen.

The exhibition created by artist EVEWRIGHT is a site-specific art and sound installation dedicated to people of the Windrush generation.

Earlier this year there was a sneak preview of the exhibition on actress Joanna Lumley's TV programme 'Travels In My Own Land'.