Windrush Day: Trinity Laban commemorates 77 years
Event details
This is an internal event for Trinity Laban staff and students.
At the tender age of 20, Mona Baptiste had a strong desire to unleash her musical talents across the ocean, far away from her birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago. In 1948 she embarked on the Empire Windrush. She was one of just a handful of women, traveling amongst 417 Caribbean passengers. Some were returning service men, many were migrant workers. They arrived at Tilbury Docks on 22nd June 1948.
The name ‘Windrush’ has since been associated with countless stories of a generation of British colonial subjects who travelled to the UK from the Caribbean and British colonial territories, seeking adventure, a new life and economic fortune. Most of these desires were in response to the redevelopment of post war UK.
Want to know more?
Here’s a brief history of Windrush and its legacy, from our Governor and Co-Founder of Black Lives in Music Roger Wilson.
Windrush and the Generation
When
In 1948, the British Nationality Act gave people from British colonies the right to live and work in Britain.
22nd June 1948 marked the arrival of the ship, HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex and the first Caribbean people officially coming to the UK as a result of this legislation.
Why
After the second world war, Britain needed to build back its economy, industry and domestic infrastructure. As a result, the government needed workers to help fill post-war labour shortages. For so many people from the Caribbean countries and colonial territories, employment in the UK offered a real and exciting opportunity
Who
Many of those who came were skilled professional, but on arrival in the UK found most of the work on offer to be typically of the manual variety – driving, cleaning, and, as a direct result of the newly created NHS, nursing. The arrival of HMT Empire Windrush on 22nd June 1948 marks the beginning of a wave of travel to the UK by people from the Caribbean and British colonial territories to support the redevelopment of the post war UK. This moment symbolised the Windrush generation.
On arrival
The Windrush generation found the UK a challenging place to live. Aside from the stark contrast in weather, and being singled out for menial work, they were subjected to various forms of racism. This ranged from verbal abuse to poor accommodation and, more generally, being the subjects of harsh and overt discriminatory practice in everyday life.
The scandal
Although legislation was passed in 1971 to grant indefinite leave to all commonwealth citizens, due to the destroying of crucial immigration records, many of the Windrush generation found themselves deemed to be illegal citizens. This meant they were denied access to healthcare, work and housing. Ultimately, and very sadly, having served and contributed so much to the UK, many were threatened with deportation. While the government have admitted wrongdoing, many of the Windrush generation are still to receive compensation and many of those deported have not returned to the UK.
The legacy
With the arrival of the Windrush Generation came a rich cornucopia of musical styles including Jazz, Blues, Calypso, Soca, Ska, Gospel, Latin and Reggae, and their descendants went on to pioneer many of the genres that are popular today, such as Garage, Jungle, Grime, Dubstep and Drum & Bass. Indeed, British societal culture has benefitted much in so many ways as a result.
The celebration
To remember, Commemoration and celebratory events have been held on 22 June every year since 2018. 22nd June 2025 marks the 77th anniversary of the arrival of the first of the Windrush generation.