25/06/2024 - Flag raised above Town Hall to mark Windrush anniversary

Event Founder, Lorna Markland of African Caribbean Community Development Forum, said: “It’s an honour to organise another flag raising ceremony with the next generation of leaders in the United Luton Caribbean & African Committee. 

“The event promoted our shared history and the significant contribution their grandparents made to Luton and wider British society.” 

On board HMT Empire Windrush, which docked in Tilbury, Essex, where nearly 1,027 people from the Caribbean answering the call for a new life to help the UK recover from World War II.

These citizens - and those on other ships which came to the UK until 1971 - became known as the Windrush generation.

Councillor Tahmina Saleem, Mayor of Luton, said: “Luton’s strength lies in its unity despite its rich diversity and for decades the African-Caribbean communities have been at the heart of this, and at the forefront of championing human rights. 

“Our African-Caribbean communities have made a massive contribution to every field from business to science, health to fashion, sports, culture, media and the arts, not to mention their impact on social justice and the struggle against prejudice and discrimination that has improved all our lives.”

“We remember the hardships and sacrifice endured by those who travelled from the Caribbean with gratitude and respect – and we reflect with thankfulness for their selfless community service and their exemplar of positive civic contribution particularly to the NHS, despite all the challenges they faced.”

Many of the Windrush Generation and other Commonweath citizens also suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment by the Home Office in relation to their rights as citizens. This has given rise to the Windrush Compensation scheme which was also being promoted as part of the commemoration. 

Luton Council was one of the first UK authorities to pass a Black Lives Matter motion which received full cross-party backing in January 2021. 

Alongside the council’s broader commitment to a town built on fairness and social justice for everyone, the motion covers commitments to address inequity and improve opportunities, services and outcomes for people from African Caribbean backgrounds across employment, education, health, criminal justice, as well as improving collaboration with and support for local VCSFE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) organisations and other key concerns for the community. 

Community organisers from the Black African Community in Luton who helped bring the motion to council in 2021 also provide advice, support and challenge to council and partner services on progress with this work and ways to take it forward, and a recent highlight was the Luton Employability Day.

The event in May was open to young people and parents, with a focus on role models from the black community. They shared their experiences to help attendees in identifying stepping stones for future success. 

More than 30 employers and local organisations will take part including London Luton Airport, GKN, Bedfordshire Fire Service, Bedfordshire Police, Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Mary Seacole Housing, Hannah Solicitors, BLMK Workforce Development Agency, Connect2Luton, TUI, Lloyd’s of London, Durham University, Equity, The RAF and the British Army.

For anyone wanting advice on how to apply for compensation and more information about how to make a no fee application under the Windrush Scheme please call: 0800 678 1925 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

For more information on support for the Windrush Generation contact the Windrush Help Team.

For more information about and progress since Luton Council’s Black Lives Matter motion was passed visit: Black Lives Matter Motion and Full Council March 2024.