PREVIOUSLY untold stories of people from the Windrush Generation who came to live in Bradford are unveiled in a new exhibition.

Funded by the British Library and managed by Nigel Guy, Director of Windrush Generations, in partnership with Bradford Museums and Galleries Service, the Windrush Stories project involved three young people from the district, with African and Caribbean heritage, interviewing more than 20 older people about coming to Bradford.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Three young people interviewed elders in Bradford Three young people interviewed elders in Bradford (Image: Submitted)

Now their stories are shared in an exhibition at Cartwright Hall, which has opened to coincide with Black History Month.

The ‘Windrush Generation’ came to the UK between 1948 and 1971, when the Government was keen for more workers to help rebuild the country and revive the post-war economy. Many early arrivals were from the Caribbean, labelled the ‘Windrush Generation’ in reference to the MV Empire Windrush cruise liner, which brought people from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands in 1948.

The Bradford project is aimed at raising understanding of the experiences of this generation, and celebrating the contributions they have made in the district. Participants have been sharing memories of growing up in the Caribbean and stories of life in the UK. Asked if they have any advice for young Black people today, Cynthia Rowe, 88, said: “Don’t Give Up” - inspiring the title of the exhibition.

Cricket and music fan Winston Williams, 74, known locally as Jah Man The Reverend, came over from Jamaica in 1965. He worked in wool spinning at a mill on Thornton Road, then trained as a mechanic and an engineer at International Harvesters, before opening a music shop in Lumb Lane. He said: “I’m a Bradfordian. My postcode has always been BD8. The elders are passing away, it’s the younger generation’s time now.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Windrush Stories is at Cartwright Hall until February Windrush Stories is at Cartwright Hall until February (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

Ernest Bailey, 88, came from Jamaica in 1955. He remembers Churchill going to Jamaica in the early 50s and asking for young workers. Despite being a skilled tailor he worked as a labourer at a chemical works on Canal Road, before going into engineering, working on machines and making jet engine blades. His advice to young people is: “Work hard, learn as much as you can, get a good education. Take notice how things work, make sure you are capable.”

Young interviewer Grace Flerin said: “We got to explore the lives of our community, helping people narrate their own history. What a powerful method oral history has been to help create a record of their lives in their own words.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The exhibition explores the experiences of people who came to live in Bradford The exhibition explores the experiences of people who came to live in Bradford (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

Olivia Guy said: “This project has had a lasting effect on how I reflect and think on the sacrifices and contributions made over the years, along with giving the UK a dedicated workforce.”

Added Alexandra Enyouri: “We’ve used our new skills to capture these untold achievements of the Windrush Generation and their descendants, to provide a platform of recognition they rightly deserve.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The launch of Windrush Stories this week The launch of Windrush Stories this week (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

Commenting on Bradford’s Windrush Stories Project, Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo said: “Being a Bishop and a campaigner for equality and social justice has taught me the importance of community is knowing their journey. Public exhibitions and archives such as the Windrush Stories Project are crucial to help educate not just our own community but also the wider communities to the fact that the Windrush Generation were not immigrants, they were British citizens and the journey they took was to rebuild their mother country and despite the hostilities they faced at times, the contributions made are immeasurable.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bishop Desmond Jaddoo at the exhibition launch Bishop Desmond Jaddoo at the exhibition launch (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

Nigel Guy said: “As descendants of the Windrush Generation it has been an honour and privilege to acknowledge and archive these personal stories of the changing environments of our local Windrush pioneers’ early lives in the Caribbean to the challenges faced and the lasting contributions they have made in the UK. We are standing on their shoulders!”

* Don’t Give Up is at Cartwright Hall until February 5, 2023.