In June 1948, the HMT Empire Windrush set sail from Jamaica carrying 802 people to Tilbury In Essex. Along with their suitcases they carried dreams of a better life in the 'Mother Country.'

 

It wasn’t the first migrant ship from the Caribbean to arrive in the UK but it was the largest and most famous – a former troopship which gave its name to a generation of willing workers coming to a country looking to rebuild itself after World War Two.

 

Between 1948 and 1971 more than half a million people arrived – but the reception they received wasn’t always friendly; they faced endemic racism and in recent years, the ‘hostile environment’ created by then Home Secretary Theresa May

Adrian Goldberg discusses the 75th anniversary of the start of the 'Windrush' era with two second generation descendants - Dr Wanda Wyporska, CEO of the Black Equity organisation and anti-racism campaigner Maurice McLeod.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg.

 

Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.

 

Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.