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Windrush 75th anniversary commemoration ahead of Bradford Literature Festival events

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The University of Bradford will host a commemoration event to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush.

Alford Gardner Windrush survivor

In 1948, more than 800 passengers on HMT Empire Windrush arrived at the Port of Tilbury from the Caribbean, an event that shaped modern Britain and came to symbolise the mass-migration movement.

To mark the anniversary, the university will be hosting an event from 11.50am in the Atrium, with keynote speeches from the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Shirley Congdon, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equality Diversity and Inclusion) Professor Udy Archibong. 

Subsequently, to honour the sacrifices and contributions of Windrush generations to our university and wider Bradford society, the Windrush Flag will be raised at the Peace Garden, outside the west-wing of the Horton Building.

The event will be a moment to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Windrush, to reflect and acknowledge the contributions made by the Windrush generation to our society.

There is no need to register for this event.

Audience with Windrush survivor

The university is also hosting several events this coming weekend as part of Bradford’s Literary Festival.

This will include Finding Home, a documentary charting the life of Alford Gardner - now in his late 90s - who travelled on the Windrush from Jamaica in 1948. (Saturday June 24, 16:15-17:45, John Stanley Bell Lecture Theatre, Richmond Building).

Other events to mark Windrush can be found here.

For more information, contact [email protected]