The Caribbean Windrush generation share what they brought to England
- Text by Alex King
- Photography by SKN Heritage Museum

With Britain in ruins following the Second World War and a crippling shortage of labour, the government called out to the colonies for help. Hundreds of Caribbean people answered the call for skilled workers and departed on the Empire Windrush from Jamaica to arrive in London in June 1948.
The new arrivals were temporarily housed in a deep air raid shelter in Clapham South in south-west London, before finding work in the local area and establishing new lives. These early arrivals helped establish Brixton as the heart of the UK’s Caribbean community and vibrant cultural powerhouse, which it has remained ever since.

It was the first event of post-war mass migration and the dawn of a brighter, multicultural Britain – however, they’ve continued to face strong resistance from elements of the state and wider population.
Nottingham’s SKN Heritage Museum, the UK’s only museum focussed Caribbean social history, heritage and culture, is holding a two-day exhibition in Brixton to celebrate the legacy of the Windrush generation and the impact of Caribbean culture on the UK. It’s happening Upstairs at The Ritzy, Brixton on 21st and 22nd May from 12 noon – 6pm.

If you were to start a new life in a new country on the other side of the globe, what would you fill your small suitcase with? The Home to Home: From Caribbean Isles to British Isles exhibition reveals the ‘stories in a suitcase’ of what the Windrush generation brought with them to England.

The event also features the London premiere of Nine Nights, SKN’s award-winning short film exploring Caribbean funeral traditions in the UK. Far from a sombre tribute, it’s an uplifting and joyous film that celebrates the feasting, singing, dancing and playing games like dominoes, bringing together friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. The film asks how the culture is changing, as younger generations of British-born Caribbeans are influenced by UK customs, as well as those handed down by their parents and grandparents.
Find out more about SKN Heritage Museum Caribbean culture celebration. Upstairs at The Ritzy, Brixton on 21st and 22nd May, from 12 noon – 6pm. Entry is free and open to all.
Latest on Huck

Meet the trans-led hairdressers providing London with gender-affirming trims
Open Out — Since being founded in 2011, the Hoxton salon has become a crucial space the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Hannah Bentley caught up with co-founder Greygory Vass to hear about its growth, breaking down barbering binaries, and the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Written by: Hannah Bentley

Gazan amputees secure Para-Cycling World Championships qualification
Gaza Sunbirds — Alaa al-Dali and Mohamed Asfour earned Palestine’s first-ever top-20 finish at the Para-Cycling World Cup in Belgium over the weekend.
Written by: Isaac Muk

New documentary revisits the radical history of UK free rave culture
Free Party: A Folk History — Directed by Aaron Trinder, it features first-hand stories from key crews including DiY, Spiral Tribe, Bedlam and Circus Warp, with public streaming available from May 30.
Written by: Isaac Muk

Rahim Fortune’s dreamlike vision of the Black American South
Reflections — In the Texas native’s debut solo show, he weaves familial history and documentary photography to challenge the region’s visual tropes.
Written by: Miss Rosen

Why Katy Perry’s space flight was one giant flop for mankind
Galactic girlbossing — In a widely-panned, 11-minute trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere, the ‘Women’s World’ singer joined an all-female space crew in an expensive vanity advert for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains its apocalypse indicating signs.
Written by: Emma Garland

Katie Goh: “I want people to engage with the politics of oranges”
Foreign Fruit — In her new book, the Edinburgh-based writer traces her personal history through the citrus fruit’s global spread, from a village in China to Californian groves. Angela Hui caught up with her to find out more.
Written by: Katie Goh