Latest news with #PatrickVernon
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Government urged to save Notting Hill Carnival: ‘Insult to injury'
Notting Hill Carnival 's future is uncertain, with its chairman, Ian Comfort, requesting urgent government funding from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to save the event. Campaigners, including human rights lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, emphasize the carnival's "huge national and international significance" and its deep connection to the Windrush generation, urging the government to protect it. The potential loss of the carnival, founded by Caribbean pioneers, is seen as adding "insult to injury" for victims of the Windrush scandal, especially as concerns coincide with Windrush Day. Professor Patrick Vernon, a cultural historian, highlights the carnival as a vital cultural institution and the world's second-largest, representing London's diversity and Black British identity. A government spokesman acknowledged the carnival as an "important community event" and stated that organisers should collaborate with local authorities and police to ensure safety.
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Campaigner calls for judge-led public inquiry into Windrush scandal
A founder of Windrush Day has called for a public inquiry into the scandal amid this year's 'bittersweet' celebrations of Black Britons and their contribution to national life. Patrick Vernon, who campaigned for the national day for nearly a decade before the government adopted it, said the mistreatment, detention and removal of Black Britons wrongly accused of being in the UK illegally had not been treated seriously enough. Unlike the Post Office and infected blood scandals, Windrush was the subject of an independent review, which can recommend improvements but doesn't have the power, scope and formal standing of a statutory public inquiry. Windrush Day 2025, which falls on Sunday, marks the 77th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, the vessel that brought passengers including ex-servicemen from the West Indies to new lives in the UK. They were the first of tens of thousands of workers from former British colonies who played a key role in rebuilding Britain after the second world war. A minute's silence will be held at this year's events – after 12 months in which pioneering members of the postwar generation have died, including two passengers on the Empire Windrush. The thinktank British Future said it was 'a powerful reminder of their courage – and why it's vital they are remembered in British history today'. Vernon said the deaths of elders and the injustice to Windrush survivors meant the commemorations were 'bittersweet'. He said: 'We are witnessing the end of a living era. Significant Windrush pioneers have passed, two of whom were on the Empire Windrush – Alford Gardner, 98, and John Richards, who passed away at 96. 'We've lost Lord Herman Ouseley, who was born in the UK but was part of that generation; Sir Geoff Palmer; Nellie Brown, who died this month at 111, and Clover Samuels, the photographer. By the time we reach the 80th anniversary, how many of the original Windrush pioneers will be left? 'We need to make sure their stories are reflected in the national curriculum, encourage families to start documenting the elders and more oral history – at local regional and national level.'There needs to be a public inquiry. The last review made good recommendations, but because of the way people have been traumatised by the scandal, re-traumatised by the compensation scheme, died before they can be compensated, made homeless, or remain in the Caribbean and Africa, we need a judge-led, independent inquiry that has access to all the documents and can subpoena people. 'A lot of Windrush people are asking 'why are we treated differently? If the Post Office and infected blood scandals can have a public inquiry, why can't we?'' Sign up to The Long Wave Nesrine Malik and Jason Okundaye deliver your weekly dose of Black life and culture from around the world after newsletter promotion At a Downing Street garden party on Wednesday to celebrate Windrush Day, with a steelband and rum cocktails, Keir Starmer, the prime minister, described the Windrush scandal as a 'devastating injustice', condemning the 'humiliating treatment of people who'd done so much for our country', saying he recognised that 'the justice victims deserved had not been delivered.' The Home Office has appointed the Rev Clive Foster as Windrush commissioner to advise on improving the compensation scheme. It says it is 'determined to ensure victims are heard'. Windrush Day events across the country include: a Caribbean festival in Alexandra Park, Manchester; the Big Caribbean Lunch in Windrush Square, Brixton; Forgotten Heroes, a production in Bristol about Black second world war veterans; and former footballers Gary Bennett, Howard Gayle and Reuben Agboola meeting supporters at the Fans Museum, Sunderland.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wellingborough Windrush events 'intergenerational' says organiser
One of the organisers of a series of events to mark Windrush Day said he wanted to make them as "intergenerational" as Day has been held on 22 June since 2018 to celebrate the contribution Caribbean migrants and their families have made to the Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, in 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the Bell from the Windrush Innovation Society, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, said: "This year, the idea was different community groups come together and launch a series of events, not just on Windrush Day, but before and weeks after." 'Building Britain' Travellers on HMT Empire Windrush - and those on other ships which came to the UK until 1971 - became known as the Windrush them were Mr Bell's grandparents, who arrived in the UK in the early said this year's events started on 13 June with a talk from Prof Patrick Vernon OBE, who was one of the first to campaign for a Windrush following weekend, there was a storytelling event for children with stories from the Windrush generation."We really want to sort of capture [the Windrush generation's] stories and be reminding of our first generations as best as we can, but the next generation to keep it going," Mr Bell said. Mr Bell said when the organisers of the town's Windrush Day events met last year, "one of the key things we wanted to make sure is that we have intergenerational activities".He added: "We wanted to make sure, as best as we can, it brings everybody together from every generation."It was really important because it's not just the founders, those who first came here, it's also those who are here now and building Britain as we go along." One of the events is an art exhibition at Wellingborough's Swansgate Shopping included "a Bob Marley walk" to commemorate what would have been Bob Marley's 80th birthday earlier this Bell said: "It should be a four metre wide piece of art, which has got a [collage] of all the different images of Bob Marley."It's hopefully a nice big work of art for people to sort of see as part of the exhibition." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Professor given university health ambassador role
The University of Wolverhampton's new pro-chancellor for health has said he is "deeply honoured" to represent the institute in a city close to his heart. Prof Patrick Vernon OBE will take on the role of "roving ambassador" for the university at external events on a local, national and global scale. Prof Vernon's work centres around social justice and health inequalities within ethnic minority communities. In 2018, he received an honorary PhD from the university for his work on migration history and equalities. "This is a region close to my heart, and I am committed to leveraging my experience to support the university's mission in advancing health and community well-being," he said. The professor added he was "deeply honoured" to accept the role. Angela Spence, chair of the board of governors at the university, said: "We are delighted to welcome Patrick to this important position. "His exceptional track record in addressing health inequalities as well as his very strong connections to the city of Wolverhampton make him an ideal pro-chancellor for health." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Black health expert did not lead BAME Covid report University's new chief sets out vision for future University of Wolverhampton
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Professor given ambassador role at University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton's new pro-chancellor for health has said he is "deeply honoured" to represent the institute in a city close to his Patrick Vernon OBE will take on the role of "roving ambassador" for the university at external events on a local, national and global Vernon's work centres around social justice and health inequalities within ethnic minority communities. In 2018, he received an honorary PhD from the university for his work on migration history and equalities."This is a region close to my heart, and I am committed to leveraging my experience to support the university's mission in advancing health and community well-being," he said. The professor added he was "deeply honoured" to accept the role. Angela Spence, chair of the board of governors at the university, said:"We are delighted to welcome Patrick to this important position."His exceptional track record in addressing health inequalities as well as his very strong connections to the city of Wolverhampton make him an ideal pro-chancellor for health." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
