Children's TV legend Floella joins Mayor in Windrush salute

The little-known story of how a small band of Windrush generation families came to live in Erewash is to be celebrated at a gala night – with Baroness Floella Benjamin among VIP guests.

The October salute during what is Black History Month is being staged by an organisation dedicated to those from the Caribbean who answered Britain’s SOS for post-war manpower to rebuild the country.

The Long Eaton Settlers Legacy Association – LESLA – was set up to also honour the descendants of the workers who forged new lives here.

Its big night – which is taking place for a third year running – is again billed as a “community fundraising gala”. Organisers described former kids TV favourite Floella, 76 – who was born in Trinidad – as “an incredible special guest”.

The ex-Play School presenter will be joined by Erewash’s Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson as “Community Impact Awards” are handed out at Chilwell’s Village Hotel on Saturday 18th October.

LESLA said: “Every year we include a black celebrity role model to help us raise our visibility and connect the wider community.” The organisation describes its mission as “not to divide but to connect and bring us all a bit closer and be inspired along the way”.

Hundreds from the Caribbean were aboard the ship HMT Empire Windrush when it docked in Tilbury, Essex in 1948. The newcomers were from Jamaica and other islands such as Trinidad, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados. 

Many had fought for Britain during the war. With the country desperate for workers, other ships followed – in a migration that lasted until 1971.

The small community that found its way to Long Eaton left an “indelible legacy”, according to the local settlers association. Their influence “continues to thrive through their descendants and the generations to come”.

The association says: “The Long Eaton community welcomed and accepted them with open arms. In turn this Afro-Caribbean community connected with the wider Long Eaton community, making wider friends, raising children together, connecting with neighbours on the streets they lived on, at the pub, through work and other social interactions. 

“We as founders of LESLA from that Windrush generation embrace that sense of community our parents, friends and neighbours had, and as residents past and present of Long Eaton, wish to make a difference in the small town that had a big impact on us.” 

Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, will also be attending the gala evening. She said: “I am looking forward to it. We as a nation owe a huge debt to the Windrush generation. These were people who were invited to come here to forge new lives and help rebuild a country shattered by war. The council is proud of how the borough gave them such a warm welcome.”