Ipswich comes together to celebrate the Windrush Generation

June 22 marked 76 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

The vast passenger liner was full of British Caribbean people, all of whom had answered Britain’s plea for help with the labour shortage following the First World War.

Many people from the Windrush, and the ships that followed, settled in Ipswich, making the town their home and helping to make the town the diverse place it is today.

Celebrations began for the Ipswich Windrush Society on Saturday morning, with a parade complete with trailer, a bus and a steel band. (Image: Abygail Fossett, Newsquest)

Celebrations began for the Ipswich Windrush Society on Saturday morning, with a parade complete with trailer, a bus and a steel band, setting off from Landseer Park and heading to Murray Park.

This was followed with a joyous celebration, complete with food, live music, stalls, activities for all the family and opportunities to reflect on the sacrifices of the Windrush generation.

Max Thomas, founder of the Ipswich Windrush Society said he was thrilled to be able to bring this celebration to the town.

Mr Thomas said: “I always say, there is no such things as a coincidence, it’s a God-incidence, and that is what has enabled us to put a diverse group of people around the table to create the Ipswich Windrush Society team.

A parade complete with trailer, a bus and a steel band, sett of from Landseer Park towards Murray Park. (Image: Abygail Fossett, Newsquest)

“We want all the community to come together as one society, not just for this anniversary, but to continue to help us honour that legacy.”

He said he was thankful for the support of the Arts Council and other businesses in Ipswich which had supported the event.

Meanwhile, celebrations were also taking place on the Cornhill, organised by Ipswich's Windrush Select Committee.