Windrush generation in Reading remembered at tree planting

BBC News

18-02-2025

The impact made by post-World War Two immigrants from the Caribbean has been marked by a tree-planting ceremony. Families of the Windrush generation in Reading planted a tree at the Chatham Street roundabout to remember the contributions made by those who came to the UK between 1948 and 1971.Peter Small, who arrived in the UK in 1964 aged 19, organised the tree planting.He said: "Having a tree planted to remember the Windrush generation is another chapter in that history."
Mr Small, 80, recalled how he took on various jobs after his arrival, including as a security guard and working night shifts in a drinks factory. "I've got a great-grandson and this is for him rather than for me."Because I want him to grow and know that his folks, his grandad, his great-grandad contributed to the town and he should never ever forget that," he added.
HMT Empire Windrush became a symbol of a wider mass-migration movement. People in the Caribbean were invited to the UK to help rebuild post-war Britain. There were 1,027 people on board and more than 800 gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean.These travellers - and those on other ships which came to the UK until 1971 - became known as the Windrush generation.
Grace Brown, 92, came to the UK on Christmas Eve in 1956 from Barbados when she was in her 20s.She said: "They never told me it was [going to be] so cold."The month of December 1956 was the dullest December on record, with less than eight hours of sunlight, according to the University of Reading. Mrs Brown recalled asking her husband when she arrived to the UK: "'The same sun in Barbados I have left, is it the same sun here?' He said 'why?' and I said 'it is sunny but it is still cold'."She worked as nurse in different parts of Berkshire, including at St Mark's Hospital in Maidenhead, where she stayed for 25 years.
Among those attending the ceremony was Sherwin Springer whose parents were part of the Windrush generation. Her father was a carpenter and her mother was a nurse. Ms Springer said her mother "was very into her community and supporting it and very proud of Barbados".She said when she saw the tree being planted she thought of her parents."I first went back to my mum and dad because if they were still alive it would be a very proud moment. "I'm walking on their shoulders and be proud for them."
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