BANGOR is leading the way in celebrating the Windrush generation.

The city is hosting a number of events including a Jamaican Breakfast, on Windrush Day, Saturday, June 22. The Learning Links International event, supported by the City of Bangor Council, is at 9.30am – 11am, at Penrhyn Hall. It marks the 71st anniversary of the Empire Windrush ship landing at Tilbury, on June 22, 1948.

A presentation, at 10am, also recognises the contribution made by the ship's passengers who came to Britain from the Caribbean, to work in hospitals, factories, transport and other services. Between 1948 and 1970, nearly half a million people and their families arrived.

They came as British subjects, from the Empire, to help plug severe labour shortages after the Second World War. Windrush passenger Jamaican Enrico Stennett , who settled in Llandudno, and his wife, Mary, who challenged racism will also be recognised.

There is also a chance to learn about the Pennants Project, managed as part of Jamaica Wales Alliance activities. It helps support schools in Pennants, Jamaica, the area where enslaved Africans created the wealth of the Penrhyn Estates, and Penrhyn Castle.

The links between Bangor City Council and May Pen Corporation in Clarendon, Jamaica, are also strengthening. The Jamaican High Commissioner was the guest at a Civic Reception in his honour at Penrhyn Hall last August.

Other events include a presentation “From Sheep to Sugar, at Talgai Hall, Llandygai Village, Bangor, at 7pm, on Tuesday, June 25. At 7pm, on Thursday, June 27, Pontio is showing a theatre adaptation of Small Island and the North Wales Jamaica Society is holding a free Windrush community event at 12noon, at Storiel on Saturday, June 29.

For more details at: Liz Millman, 07711569489 or lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk.