Front L-R: Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Cllr Carole Williams, Cllr Sharon Patrick.

Back L-R: Cllr Chris Kennedy, Lucy Maddix, Michael Maddix

Arriva Rail London (ARL) teamed up with the Windrush Foundation, Hackney Council and Young Hackney to hold a commemorative event marking Windrush Day.

Dalston Junction London Overground station – located on the newly named Windrush line – hosted a celebration on Sunday 22 June honouring the legacy of the Windrush generation and their descendants.

In the lead up to the event, ARL colleagues and the Windrush Foundation held an outreach session at Young Hackney’s Forest Road Youth Hub, inviting young people to learn about the Windrush generation and their contributions to a multicultural London. During the session, the group sketched designs for a new Windrush badge, which was unveiled at Dalston Junction. Participants also recorded announcements expressing what Windrush means to them, which will be played at the station until Tuesday 24 June.

Badge designed by young people during an outreach session at Young Hackney’s Forest Road Youth Hub

Shivani Hill, head of environment, social value and governance at Arriva Rail London, said: “Windrush Day is a powerful reminder of the resilience, contribution and cultural richness the Windrush generation brought to London – and to our railway. As we mark the first year of the Windrush Line, we’re proud to honour that legacy not just through words, but through action. This year’s celebration has been especially meaningful as it brought together young people, community leaders and railway colleagues to share stories, learn from one another and build connections across generations.”

Cllr Carole Williams, Hackney cabinet member with responsibility for equalities and Windrush, said: “Marking Windrush Day is about recognising the strength, resilience and immeasurable contributions of a generation that helped shape modern Britain. The naming of the Windrush Line is a fitting tribute to the community of people who made London their home, bringing their culture and invaluable skills. I’m proud to be part of this event, which will educate our young people about this important history, and ensure these stories live on for future generations.”

Arthur Torrington, director of the Windrush Foundation, said: “Windrush Foundation was delighted to have collaborated with Arriva Rail London, Transport for London and Hackney Council to hold the inaugural commemoration of Windrush Day at Dalston Junction station in Hackney. We marked this by launching the ‘Windrush Line Calypso’ written and sung by Alexander D. Great, and a poem about London by Nairobi Thompson. It was a pleasure sharing my knowledge of how the Windrush Generation became an important topic in the UK.”

As well as music and poetry, ARL colleague Michael Maddix shared a personal testimony.

Michael’s story

Business assurance and risk manager, Michael, followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the rail industry. His parents were part of a later wave of arrivals from Jamaica, drawn by the opportunities they had heard about in the UK.

“My father, Wentworth, came over in 1957 from a place called Guava Ground in Jamaica,” Michael shared. “My mother, Sheila, came in 1959 from the capital, Kingston. Jamaica was not yet independent, so they both had British passports, and the UK was seen as the ‘motherland’.”

While his parents were fortunate to have family support in Brixton, many of their friends faced challenges finding work and accommodation. Despite being highly skilled, many were forced into manual jobs, and racism was rife.

Michael’s parents, Sheila and Wentworth

After a series of roofing jobs, Wentworth, formerly a farmer, secured a job with British Rail, where he worked until retirement. Sheila, a talented dressmaker, quickly found her skills in high demand. “It was business as usual!” said Michael. “Everyone in the local community came to her for clothes – you name it, she could make it!”

Although Wentworth and Sheila have passed away, their legacy lives on through Michael’s career and his community work with young people in south London. “I can’t imagine travelling round the world to a cold new country not knowing how things would work out, but they made it work,” he says. “My family inspired me, so it’s important that we leave a legacy for these youngsters to succeed and push on.”

Michael’s daughter, Lucy Maddix, also took part in the event, reciting an original poem – demonstrating how the family’s commitment to honouring the Windrush legacy continues across generations.

Michael Maddix and Lucy Maddix