Camden marks Windrush Day with special tribute to Caribbean heritage
Camden Blossoms is a new outdoor artwork presenting stories and highlighting figures from the borough’s Caribbean community, from 20th century activist Claudia Jones to legendary music collective Soul II Soul.
Camden is honouring the 78th anniversary of the arrival of HMS Windrush into Britain through storytelling, art, and celebrations honouring the Windrush generation.
Windrush and Caribbean culture is uniquely special in Camden. The North London borough served as the birthplace of the UK’s first Caribbean Carnival in 1959 – a seed which eventually blossomed into the famous annual Carnival in Notting Hill which has become one of the biggest events in the UK’s cultural calendar.
Camden Council annually invests in extensive programming for Windrush Day, showcasing local talent at the Homecoming Celebration, which on Saturday (20 June) saw a huge turnout of residents and visitors take to Talacre Town Green in Kentish Town for a jubilant day of Caribbeans rhythms, carnival costumes, arts, food, sport and more.
In the backdrop of the Homecoming Celebration, the Council unveiled four separate mixed-media artworks at Talacre Sports Community Centre. Artist Matt Small was inspired by stories and figures from Camden’s Caribbean heritage and presented them as “blossoms” representing public service, activism, cultural identity and unity.
The Blossom of Service highlights the work of Camden’s first Black mayor, Jerry Williams, who was instrumental in the development of Talacre Park to a thriving public garden. In 2003, the area was redeveloped to accommodate Talacre Community Sports Centre, which is where the mural has been unveiled in honour of Williams who is credited with the development of remarkable space that it is today.
The Blossom of Activism highlights activist Claudia Jones’ significant impact on the civil rights and welfare of British Caribbean and African communities across Britain. Claudia set up the first Black-led newspaper, The West Indian Gazette, in 1958. The following year she developed and delivered the UK’s first Caribbean Carnival at St Pancras Town Hall (now Camden Town Hall) – which was recently memorialised with a Blue Plaque.
The Blossom of Cultural Identity celebrates the impact of Caribbean culture on the UK through the Funky Dred logo of legendary Camden music collective Soul II Soul. The children and grandchildren of the Windrush generation continue to influence British arts, music, and contemporary culture from within Camden: notable figures include Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), musicians Akala and Miss Dynamite, and actor Kingsley Ben-Adir.
The One Love Blossom is a collaborative piece made with help from local Camden schools. The blossom encapsulates everything the borough of Camden represents; a multicultural haven that enables young people to grow in unity with people from many different racial and social backgrounds.
And tonight (22 June) will be the annual Pitt Lecture, held in honour of Lord David Pitt, who dedicated his life fighting against racism and discrimination and made history as the UK’s first Black parliamentary candidate, standing for Hampstead. The lecture proudly features Marcus Ryder MBE as keynote speaker, who delved into the history of Carnival, its profound connection to Camden, and its widespread legacy felt today across the UK. There are still tickets available to attend the lecture held at Camden Town Hall tonight.
“It is important that we as a nation recognise Windrush Day, which marks the anniversary of HMS Windrush arriving at the UK after the Second World War. Our Windrush generation, along with their descendants, have shaped and transformed British culture over the decades – from food and music to sport and literature.
“Historically significant figures such as Claudia Jones as well as groundbreaking events like the UK’s first Caribbean Carnival are deeply rooted here in Camden. They are a source of immense pride for our diverse communities, who want to see this heritage reflected in their neighbourhoods and public spaces. The Council achieves this by investing time and funding into programming reflected each year for Windrush Day and also through our Black History Season, which stretches from autumn to winter each year.
“It is vital that we carry the torch of Black pride through our cultural sector, and I give thanks to artist Matt Small for creating such an authentic and poignant work at a location steeped in local Black history. This mural at Talacre in Camden will stand as a lasting tribute to the tenacity of those who came before us, and to the generations who continue to champion social justice and equality today.”
As a born and bred Camden resident of Caribbean heritage, I am immensely proud to have been commissioned by Camden Council to create the mural ‘Camden Blossoms’, which celebrates the immeasurable contributions of the Windrush generation to not only Camden but to the entire country. I stand on the shoulders of pioneers such as Claudia Jones, the political activist who helped establish the Notting Hill carnival, Jerry Williams, Camden's first black mayor as well as music legend Jazzy B. They, amongst many others, are an example of what caring about the communities you live in, fighting for what's right and being true to yourself and your principles can do to create the fertile conditions that allow for all to flourish and blossom within society.
Further information
Read the Camden People’s Museum exhibits of Claudia Jones and Jerry Williams. The Camden People's Museum is a digital collection of art, history and community celebrating the culture of Camden, and is managed by LoveCamden, the culture service at Camden Council.
Read about Gospel Oak artist Matt Small.
All proceeds from the Pitt Lecture will be donated to the Claudia Jones Organisation, in support of their work with the Windrush Justice Clinic - a free service which helps individuals impacted by the Windrush scandal.