FOLLOWING months of anticipation the Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories will receive its first visitors tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 June) which is Windrush Day.

The exhibition was originally due to open last September, but its launch was postponed because of the Covid pandemic.

The exhibition, by artist EVEWRIGHT, is based on the walkway between the landing jetty at the cruise terminal and the arrival hall, where the MV Empire Windrush docked on 22 June 1948, bringing workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, to help fill post-war UK labour shortages.

The ship carried 492 passengers - many of them children.

Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories is the first site-specific art and sound installation to be held at the Port of Tilbury and the UK dedicated to people of the Windrush Generation. You can view a video about the exhibition via this link which is presented by EVEWRIGHT.

A special school's event will take place on the 22 June Windrush day. To mark the public opening of the installation a preview launch will be held on the 26 June. The installation will then open throughout the summer and autumn so the public can experience and enjoy the outdoor artwork in a Covid safe environment.

You can find out more here.

Thurrock celebrates Windrush Day

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Wed 16/06/2021 09:22

16 Jun 2021

Community events are being held at other venues acrpss the borough.

A pre-recorded video from Cllr Deb Huelin, cabinetmember for Communities, will be shared on the council's social media channels to mark Windrush Day.

Zedgeneration CIC and Thurrock BME are organising an event which will include a tribute recreating the arrival of the Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury. There will also be a celebration at the Worlds End Pub, Tilbury.

As part of the Essex Book Festival, author Louise Hare will talk about her debut novel This Lovely City, set around Brixton's Windrush community in London in the aftermath of the Second World War, on August 4. This event takes place at Grays Library at 7pm. Tickets cost between £5-7 and can be purchased from the ]L]https://essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/this-lovely-city-2/ [L+]Essex Book Festival website.[.L]

Cllr Huelin said: "I'm delighted that once again events and celebrations will be held in Thurrock to mark Windrush Day, which could not be held last year due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

"The Windrush story is an important part of Thurrock's history and our motto 'By Thames to all the Peoples of the World' acknowledges this heritage and our commitment as a council to recognise everyone in our diverse communities.

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"We are grateful for the wide ranging contribution that the Windrush Generation has made to British culture today, and we will continue to address the issues, including racism and discrimination, which many of those who stepped off the Empire Windrush in 1948 have experienced and still do today.

"Please remember to stay safe following any COVID-19 secure guidelines, and enjoy the activities that are being held in Thurrock to celebrate this historic day."

This year, the T100 Dream Festival, supported by the council, launched on Thursday 10 June with a 'Tilbury is the place for me' walk. This was inspired by Lord Kitchener's 1948 Calypso "London is the Place for Me" sung upon arrival at Tilbury Docks on the Empire Windrush.

More information about the Empire Windrush and Tilbury Docks can be found on the council's history and heritage webpage.