The North Wales Jamaica Society have teamed up with Bangor City Council to put on a day of activities and presentations on Thursday 22nd June, to mark the 75th Anniversary of Windrush, exploring the stories of people who lived in North Wales who have links with the Caribbean and the challenges and potential today.
22nd June is now recognised across the countries of the UK, to recall the arrival of the Empire Windrush 75 years ago with men, women and children from the Caribbean who left their homes to come to help rebuild Britain after the devastation and losses of the Second World Ward.
The event is free at Penrhyn Hall in Ffordd Gwynedd, Bangor, with a range of Jamaican refreshments throughout the day. For more details and to register visit www.nwjsonline.com
A Jamaican breakfast will be provided from 9.15am with peanut porridge and fruits, before official welcomes and recognition run from 10.00am – 12.00 to celebrate Windrush 75, as well as to follow up the Welsh Government’s concerns to help people caught up over the past years in what is referred to as the ‘Windrush Scandal’.
Under the ‘hostile environment’ created by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, many people with Caribbean heritage and British citizenship, were unlawfully stopped from working, they were made homeless and were unable to access health and other support they were entitled to.
Garrick Prayogg and Roland Houslin from ‘Justice for Windrush Generations’ with explain the background to enable those who may have been affected to seek compensation from the Home Office. There will also be recognition for local people from North Wales recognised by the Jamaican High Commission for their very significant contributions made in UK over the years.
After a break for lunch, with Jamaican patties and refreshment supplied, the afternoon session from 2.30 – 4.30pm will enable Dr Barrington Richardson, Director of Education in Clarendon, Jamaica, to join during on Zoom to discuss possibilities to link students and teachers, as well as community ventures eg Young Farmers and Girl Guides. Rotarian Walter Leavell from May Pen will also join the session to discuss how Rotary International can also support the venture.
This is also an opportunity to share updates on the development of links between the City of Bangor and May Pen in Clarendon, Jamaica, where people from North Wales settled and developed a range of plantations that generated the great wealth that came back to North Wales, enabling the Pennant family to improve their estates and the local infrastructure. Since arranging visits a few years ago, when a delegation from North Wales went to Jamaica to meet people over there, the North Wales Jamaica Society has been able to establish strong links through the Jamaica Wales Alliance and regular Zoom meetings each week have enabled friendships to develop and possibilities to be explored.
Jamaican poet and educator, Yasus Afari, has visited Wales many times over the years and continues to support the ‘building of bridges’ between schools and communities. Now there are more opportunities to explore with the Welsh Government’s Taith initiative, which aims to link schools, colleges and HE students, as well as community groups, interested in developing educational links with countries around the world.
A hot Jamaican meal is being prepared by Maggie Ogunbowo, award winning entrepreneur and chef from ‘Maggies Exotic Foods’ this will be served from 5.30pm – registrations through www.nwjsonline.com, before the evening session starts at 6.45pm in person and on Zoom with catch ups for teachers and others interested in developing links with Jamaica. The ‘Jamaica Wales Alliance Appeal’ will also be launched to provide support for the community of Pennants and others engaged in developing links for educational scholarships, community food banks and other needs identified by Jamaican colleagues. The North Wales Jamaica Society is working with the Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society to ensure all proper procedures and practices are in place to ensure funds reach those in need.
The North Wales Jamaica Society holds Open Meetings on the first Saturday afternoon of each month on Zoom, check www.nwjsonline.com and the NWJS team also welcome active volunteers to support the development of their plans.
