Uma Kukreja joined the Windrush Day celebrations in Brixton’s Myatt’s Fields park. Photographs: Lawrence Lazar
The sense of community was the highlight of the Windrush celebration in Myatt’s Fields Park.
From a granddaughter congratulating her grandad on his band’s performance to a family dancing together in front of the bandstand, people from different generations all came together to have a fantastic time.
The event was organised by the charity that runs Myatt’s Fields Park and Empower From Within, in collaboration with Black Culture Market, an organisation that supports entrepreneurs and new Black businesses of African and Caribbean descent.
The market stalls were beautifully organised around the park bandstand.
Featuring a wide range of products including jewellery, croc charms, candles, sauces and banana cake, the stalls intrigued the regular park-goers as well as those who had come for the event.
An excited, jumping girl with a swirling butterfly painted on her face drew me to the face-painting stall. The painter from Amo Face Body Artpraised the “very family orientated, very inclusive” nature of the event.
It was not just locals who were enjoying the stores, as one woman had come from Edinburgh to the event while visiting her grandkids. Her joy towards the celebration was clear and she caught my attention through her purchases at the stalls: a brightly coloured and patterned fan with matching bag.
My personal favourite stall was Ruby’s Reads multicultural children’s book shop. Attracting both parents and children, the stall featured children’s books that highlighted and celebrated differences.
It’s amazing to see books on sale that have characters who look like the children buying them, with experiences they recognise, and which will help children embrace their cultures.
When the food came out later in the day it was a major hit. The enticing smell of jerk chicken in the summer heat created a queue, and those who waited in line were not disappointed. From the fried chicken to the plantain, the food was delicious.
Another popular stall included fruit that was freshly cut up and served. A mother with her kids at the stall stated she was having a nice time, and the community was great, but her “favourite part was the fruit stall” as it’s a “great healthy alternative for kids”. The kids seemed to agree, both munching away at sugar cane pieces.
Despite some technical difficulties at first, the true star of the day was the reggae music. The bandstand hosted two bands that day: Merger and Kush AbaKush.
The live music drew park-goers to the benches near the park café, as well as the seats at the front of the bandstand, and several families even placed their picnic blankets down to be within earshot of the relaxing melodies.
Kush AbaKush was led by a trio of women singers whose strong harmonies were carried forward by the laid-back groove of the drums.
Merger followed suit with swaying arms and gentle percussion. Both bands predominantly included older individuals, and it was clear that their passion and talent for music had not diminished one bit despite the passage of time.
The bands were aided by three young sound engineers; the event a great opportunity for young people put their skills into practice.
The mellow sounds and repeated lyrics excellently matched the warm, Sunday afternoon weather.
Parents calmed their babies to sleep while those of older generations danced.
One woman stood alone lost in the music, singing along, eyes closed, to No Woman, No Cry.
Many people told me that their favourite part of the event was the music, including a pregnant woman, sat down on a bench with her husband to appreciate the songs. Another couple I spoke to enthusiastically stated: “We’re chilling, we love reggae – it’s a perfect Sunday for us”.
When the live music finished to make way for a recorded playlist, I was concerned that people would start to leave. I’m pleased to say this was not the case. They sat around the bandstand chatting with each other and the queue for the food remained constant.
A man in his 30s commented that he liked the fact there was a gathering. While the internet, Covid, and cost of going out have fractured a sense of togetherness that used to be strong in London, it’s clear that in this park the local community, young and old, of all cultures, is still going strong.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer, at the Immigration White Paper press conference in May warned that the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers”, a very sad turn of phrase that risks pandering to racists.
Yet it’s clear from the Myatt’s Fields event that migration benefits Britain, bringing people together at a time that leaders across the world are causing division.
The event was a testament to local people and organisations coming together to uplift and celebrate the those who came here on the Empire Windrush ship in 1948, their descendants and their contribution to British life.
The next live music event at Myatt’s Fields park will be on Sunday 13 July when a family fun day will offer, as well as music, games and fun activities for all ages including bouncy castles and a ball pit, stalls and food vendors, as well as the XLP mobile youth centre. The event runs from noon to 5pm.
