Windrush Day 2022

 This Windrush Day we celebrate contributions of the Windrush generation and their families who have contributed to every part of British life. The borough is proud to have many residents and families from the Windrush generation that call Lewisham home. Join us and take part in projects and events taking place across the borough. 

Schools book giveaway

Windrush to Lewisham, memoirs about Uncle George

George Brown was a trailblazer, heavily involved in the local community and one of the first black homeowners in the UK. George built a life in Lewisham and took the time to share his experiences in the book ‘Windrush to Lewisham, memoirs about Uncle George’, for future generations to learn from. You can already find the book in many of our libraries. And to mark Windrush Day this year, we will be giving a copy of the book to every school in the borough. 

Meet George's family in this short video.

Events 

Making Things Happen: Sybil Phoenix in Lewisham, 1985

Photographs by Geraldine Walsh. Exhibition curated and produced by Lucia Tambini and Woodrow Phoenix. 

SYBIL PHOENIX MBE, OBE, Freeman of the City of London, Guyanese Medal of Service, Fellow of Goldsmiths College, Former Mayoress of Lewisham, Honorary President of The National Council of Women in Great Britain; these are just some of the vast array of titles, awards and honours that make Sybil Phoenix legendary. 

Visual artist Geraldine Walsh began working with Sybil at the MPMT Arts Project in 1985, teaching photography, sculpture and painting to residents and other local young people. She documented a lot of the activity at MPMT and elsewhere in Sybil’s orbit for a decade. This exhibition presents a selection from the vast archive of images that Geraldine has retained. Most of these images have not been seen in 30 years. 

Find out more about the Marsha Phoenix Memorial Trust.

Dates: 23 June - 15 July 2022 

Venue: Lewisham Shopping Centre, Borough of Culture Unit (South Mall, opposite Greggs), SE13 7HB 

Cost? Free! 

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am-5.30pm 

The Windrush Foundation Presents: Celebrating Windrush Pioneers 

Join us as we honour Caribbean Pioneers who have laid a foundation in Lewisham and who contribute to the wellbeing of the borough. Come along and enjoy music, poetry, dance (Quadrille), and presentations. 

Dates: Thursday 14 July, 7pm – 9.30pm 

The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG 

Cost? £6, Tickets available from The Albany Box Office, via email, or call 020 8692 4446. 

SOFT WAX presents the Deptford Dub Club Reggae, Rocksteady & Ska 

Headlined by Wassie One, a long-time stalwart of the London Reggae Roots scene. We will entertain you with music of Jamaican origin, of the highest order, throughout this session. From Ska, through Rocksteady, to classic Roots and on to contemporary Steppers. All spun in traditional Sound system style, with the esteemed producer Prince Fatty providing a live mix throughout the evening. 

Also featured on the decks will be resident selector Soft Wax. He’ll be playing a set accompanied by the usual Deptford Dub Club Crew. Expect the great Singjay artist, Doc Murdoch and guest vocalists, live. Plus a full 5-piece horn section, live and direct on the mic.  

Dates: Sunday 19th June, 6pm-12pm

Where? Fox and Firkin, 316 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6JZ

Cost? Free before 6pm, £3 after. Tickets are available. 

London Borough of Culture 2022 

In Living Memory: A Caribbean Couturier in Lewisham 

For the people, by the people. Share your stories of Lewisham with us. 

For Lewisham’s tenure as London Borough of Culture 2022, Goldsmiths, University of London is supporting seven community-led projects to build an exciting new story of Lewisham’s past since 1945.  Part of the Windrush Generation, project lead Joy Prime’s mother travelled to London in 1963 to begin a new life in Lewisham.  Although she was an accomplished fashion designer and tailor, her skills were not recognised in the UK and she was forced to find work as a seamstress. 

Inspired by her mother’s story, Joy will explore the forgotten textile legacies of the women of the Windrush Generation through design collaborations, workshops and an immersive exhibition in Lewisham Shopping Centre for Black History Month. 

Share your memories and images of handmade garments made by Caribbean Seamstresses in Lewisham.