The City of Wolverhampton Council will mark Windrush Day next weekend with a flag raising ceremony and the unveiling of a bronze bust of the city’s first African-Caribbean councillor
The City of Wolverhampton Council will mark Windrush Day next weekend with a flag raising ceremony and the unveiling of a bronze bust of the city’s first African-Caribbean councillor.
Celebrated annually, Windrush Day honours the contributions which the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to British society.
It commemorates the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing passengers from the Caribbean to the UK – an event which marked the beginning of significant migration from the Caribbean which enriched British culture and society.
Dignitaries and members of the public will gather for a flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre on Sunday 22 June at 10.30am, which will feature speeches from representatives of the Windrush community, the Mayor of Wolverhampton Craig Collingswood and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sandra Samuels OBE, who in 2022 became the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to become Mayor of Wolverhampton.
There will then follow a special event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery introduced by Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE where a bust of Mel Chevannes, created as part of a community led project, will be unveiled.
Mel, who will be in attendance next weekend, was elected to Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a local councillor for 11 years, chairing the Social Services Committee in 1982. She later became the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
She said: “I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years. I am proud to be recognised for my professional, community and educational contributions to this wonderful city.
“It is truly amazing that this is the first such public recognition in England of a black woman who is very much alive.”
Visitors to the gallery will also have the opportunity to view a temporary exhibition about Mel’s life, achievements and contribution to the city.
Mayor Councillor Collingswood said: “We are delighted to play our part in highlighting an important time in our history – and to celebrate the impact that the Windrush generation, and individuals such as Mel Chevannes, have had on our city and our nation.
“Everyone is welcome to join us for the flag raising and the unveiling, and I hope that as many residents as possible are able to come along and help us celebrate Windrush Day 2025.”