BRADFORD will be celebrating the contributions made by the country’s Windrush migrants this weekend - and one local school will be playing a major role in the events.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s journey from Jamaica to the UK, Bradford will be hosting a free concert, church service and Civic Reception in City Hall.

Pupils from Appleton Academy in Wyke have been heavily involved in the planning for the event, and will be performing on stage at Saturday’s concert, in City Park.

Pupils also designed the backdrop and decorations for the stage.

And the school recently welcomed residents of nearby Mary Seacole Court care home to the school for afternoon tea. Many of the residents are from the Windrush Generation, and spoke to pupils about their experiences travelling to the UK and life after arriving here.

They had been invited to the school as part of its efforts to forge closer links with the local community.

The Windrush Generation were invited to re-locate from Commonwealth countries and offered jobs helping rebuild the UK after the devastation of the Second World War.

Heidi France, history teacher at Appleton Academy, said: “The visit was absolutely brilliant.

“It was great to see pupils talking with the home residents, and seeing that whatever age you are, you always have something in common with others.

“Many of the people we spoke to had come over on their own, hoping to get a good job. It was interesting listening to them, hearing how they had been promised good jobs and when they arrived, we only wanted them to be cleaners - basically to do the jobs the British didn’t want to do.

“They want to see us again, and we hope to have similar events.

It is a great chance for the kids to become part of the local community. It is important that they look to other communities and learn about how we treated people from other cultures when they came across here.”

This weekend’s anniversary celebrations begin with a civic reception for Caribbean dignitaries, community champions and “unsung heroes” from the Windrush generation that will be held in Bradford City Hall later today.

The City Park festival of music and culture, from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, will feature performances from numerous local and international bands, performing reggae, ska, gospel, grime, rap and Calypso music. There will also be Caribbean food, a fun fair and activities in the city centre.

The concert will feature over two dozen performances by acts including Trenchtown UK, Love Generation and Natural Rhythm as well as Wilson Frisk, Amanda G, RDC Soldier.

On Sunday June 24 there will be a joint service of churches from West Yorkshire at New Testament Church in Lidget Green from 2pm to 4.30pm.

The events have been funded by Bradford Council, and organised by a multi-generational group of Bradfordians - called the Windrush Generations group.