A NEW exhibition commemorating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks is heading to Basingstoke.

The exhibition is opening at the town’s Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery on Saturday, May 13.

The exhibition, Our Windrush Story, has been created in partnership with Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT), which operates the Willis Museum, Basingstoke’s Caribbean Society and Friends, and the Cultural Diversity Consortium, and will take visitors on a journey celebrating the significant contributions of the Windrush generation in Basingstoke.

Our Windrush Story features a unique soundscape of music and spoken word accounts from local people of the Windrush generation and will also feature objects, art and photography.

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The Windrush generation comprises 500,000 Commonwealth citizens who settled in Britain between 1948 and 1971. Having been invited to help rebuild the nation after the Second World War, they played an essential role in key fields such as nursing, transportation, construction and both military and civil service. This exhibition explores their journeys and the challenges they faced starting new lives, recognising their contribution to our shared history. Through the voices of Basingstoke’s own British Caribbean community, Our Windrush Story celebrates the vibrant cultural tapestry of the borough, showcasing Caribbean culture and a legacy of community and faith, of hope and resilience and how Basingstoke became a place of sanctuary, often in the face of adversity and discrimination.

Effie Blankson, chair of the Cultural Diversity Consortium, said: "Celebrating Windrush is important because it recognises the contributions and sacrifices made by this generation. On its 75th anniversary, it is imperative that communities should work together to celebrate.

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"Firstly, it honours the contributions of Caribbean immigrants who played a significant role in rebuilding post-war Britain. Secondly, it promotes a sense of unity and inclusivity by recognising the diverse cultures and histories that make up British society.

"Finally, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the need to continue fighting against discrimination and prejudice. Ultimately, celebrating Windrush is an opportunity to acknowledge and learn from the past while promoting a more inclusive and equitable future."

For more information, please visit hampshireculture.org.uk/event/our-windrush-story.