The Huddersfield Windrush On Tour Tapestry was officially unveiled on Windrush Day 2026 before a packed audience of community leaders, faith representatives, educators, heritage organisations, local residents and dignitaries, marking a major milestone in preserving and celebrating the legacy of the Windrush Generation.
Commissioned by Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church and delivered in partnership with Kirklees Local TV (KLTV), the tapestry brings together decades of African Caribbean history through a unique combination of visual storytelling, photography, oral histories and digital archives.
The launch event, held at the Media Centre in Huddersfield on Monday 22 June, attracted a diverse audience from across Kirklees and beyond, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of Windrush history within Britain’s shared national story.
A Living Archive of Community History
Attendees at the launch event at the Media Centre explored eleven large-scale panels, each dedicated to a different decade of history. QR codes on the panels link to a growing digital archive of oral histories, allowing visitors to hear firsthand accounts from the community.
The exhibition documents the journey of African Caribbean communities from the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948 to the present day, highlighting their contributions to healthcare, education, faith, transport, industry, politics, culture, and sport.
Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, said: “This is a journey of identity, relationship, belonging and justice.
“We tend to talk about Windrush as if it’s the ship that matters, but ultimately it’s about every single person who was on board that ship and the legacy they gifted to this country.”
“I hope it reaches every part of our community and helps people understand the magnitude of what Windrush means for all of us.”
Honouring Those Who Built Modern Britain
Throughout the event, speakers paid tribute to the courage, determination and resilience of the Windrush Generation and acknowledged the challenges many faced upon arriving in Britain.
The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Karen Allison, described her experience: “I found today quite humbling and emotional because I hadn’t realised until I looked at the tapestries and listened to the people speaking, just how much it cost them in leaving their families to come to the UK.”
“It means an awful lot to Kirklees and our communities. People need to know the history behind Windrush and the people that came over.”
Faith, Community and Partnership
A recurring theme throughout the launch was the vital role that churches and community organisations played in supporting African Caribbean communities during the post-war years.
Pastor Frederick Nti Mensah of Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church explained why the church had chosen to commission the project: “Our church is about serving our communities. We have members who were part of the Windrush Generation and relatives who were also part of that generation. It is because of them that we are here today, and we stand on their shoulders.”
The church hopes the project will strengthen community connections while ensuring future generations understand the contributions made by those who came before them.
Project Lead Edwin Baker, Head Elder at Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church, spoke about the significance of the project: “Our church would not exist today without the Windrush Generation. Personally, I’m here because of them.”
“We want Huddersfield to know the history of the Windrush Generation in this town and what they have contributed to society.
“This project helps ensure that those stories will remain accessible for future generations.”
National Recognition for Local Stories
The event also attracted representatives from national heritage organisations.
Helena Smart of The National Archives praised the project’s innovative use of digital storytelling and oral histories.
She said: “It’s been such a joyous event. The tapestry is wonderful, and the QR codes allow people to dive deeper into the stories.
“It is more important than ever that we capture these memories while we still can.”
Louise Muhammad, Creative Director of Paraffinalia 75 and host for the event, described the unveiling as a landmark moment: “I’ve never seen our local and national history presented in this way before.
“To see every decade represented and to see people from all backgrounds coming together to celebrate these stories has been incredibly powerful.”
Preserving the Legacy for Future Generations
For KLTV, the project represents the culmination of more than 30 years of documenting and 15 years of Digitising African Caribbean history across Kirklees.
Dr Milton Brown, CEO of Kirklees Local TV, described the unveiling as a proud and emotional moment: “When you see these panels together, you see your mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and friends represented across the decades. It is impossible not to be moved.”
“This story is about resilience, pride, honour and that sacred irrationality never to give up. Regardless of the barriers that were placed before the African Caribbean community, they persevered and succeeded. That is the message I hope people take away from this tapestry.”
The Journey Continues
Following its successful launch, the Windrush On Tour Tapestry will begin a programme of exhibitions at schools, libraries, community centres, churches, universities and public venues across Kirklees and beyond.
Organisers are inviting expressions of interest from organisations wishing to host the exhibition and help share the stories, achievements and legacy of the Windrush Generation with wider audiences.
The project was made possible through the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and administered by Near Neighbours.
As the final visitors left the launch event, one message resonated throughout the room: the story of Windrush is not simply a story of the past. It is a story that continues to shape the present and inspire future generations.
For information about hosting the Windrush On Tour Tapestry, contact Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church at huddersfieldsda@gmail.com or Kirklees Local TV at info@kirkleeslocaltv.com.