MEMBERS of a community group were invited for lunch at the University of Reading’s Whiteknight’s campus to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush.
The event saw 30 people from Reading Golders Luncheon Club’s Windrush Generation joined by vice-chancellor Prof Robert Van de Noort, at Park House.
The club was officially formed in October 2021 by the over 60s Black community in Reading and its purpose is to encourage assertiveness, independence and confidence amongst members.
Constance Gooding, manager of the Reading Golders Luncheon Club, said: “The Golders enjoyed the day very much. It was the first time since lockdown that we have gone out in a group. Everyone was very happy.
“Our Golders have never been to a university campus before, and were full of wonder and excitement.”
Prof Van de Noort said: “It was a pleasure to host members of the Reading Golders community group on campus, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in the UK.
“Reading is a wonderfully diverse community and this major anniversary of Black British history gives us an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the wide-ranging contribution of the Windrush Generation in our society.
“As we celebrate, we also acknowledge the difficulties that many of those Windrush pioneers faced, and continue to experience, through mistakes by the government and prejudice in wider society. I hope through conversation and dialogue we can find solutions together.”
The lunch is part of a series of celebrations taking place across Reading to celebrate 75 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush to the UK in 1948.
It marks the start of a significant period of immigration from the Caribbean to the UK after the Second World War.
Evelyn Abubakar, a former nurse from Coley, said: “We, the Reading Golders Luncheon Club, would like to express our thanks for the University’s hospitality.
“We are happy that the Reading Golders were chosen to be celebrated, and to be honoured, by having this three course lunch at the University of Reading.
“It’s a good feeling to be experiencing this, to know that someone cares about us.”
