Essex trust marks Windrush Day in Tilbury
The Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury in 1948
To mark Windrush Day today, a local trust has been explaining the importance of celebrating the occasion.
Windrush Day marks the first arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex on 22nd June 1948, bringing the first wave of Caribbean migrants to the UK.
It's designed to recognise and celebrate the Windrush generation and the contributions they've made to Britain. For example, many helped during the country's recovery from the Second World War.
Lucy-Emma Harris is on the board of the Tilbury on the Thames Trust, which manages the docks.
She says it's really important to celebrate the day, which was officially recognised in 2018, and recognise everything the Windrush generation has done for the country: "The anniversary of the Windrush celebrates the same year on the calendar as the founding of the NHS and many people that arrived on the Windrush went to work in the NHS.
"When you think of our culture, our music, our food - they've all been shaped by people that arrived as part of the the Windrush Generation. They've had a considerable impact on our lives.
"We wouldn't have Notting Hill Carnival or half of the amazing, creative things that we have today. People came and they helped rebuild our towns which had just been through the Second World War.
"We have a lot to celebrate and it's really lovely. Every time we celebrate it's fantastic and I feel really privileged to meet people and hear their stories."
The Tilbury on the Thames Trust, which manages the Tilbury Docks, has been awarded over £12,000 from the government to assist with their celebrations: "This year we're working with the teams up in London who are unveiling a monument at Waterloo Station.
"When the Windrush came in to Tilbury, the people went through the Tilbury Riverside Station and onto Waterloo to start their lives all over the country.
"So with the unveiling of the monument, we wanted to connect people back to the river, so the Windrush Day Fund is funding a Thames Clipper trip up to Tilbury to take people back up to the docks and see where it all began."