Press release from Bath Abbey: Bath Abbey is delighted to be collaborating with artists, community groups, schools and visitors to curate a programme of exhibitions and events to mark Windrush Day 2026. The contribution to the life of our nation, and the flourishing of our churches, of those who have arrived in the UK from the Caribbean and the wider African diaspora before and after the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948, is immense.
We are privileged to partner on this project with ‘Tapestry of Black Britons’ founder & artist Paula Ogun Hector, curator Samantha Walker and Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA) at Fairfield House, whose members include those who were invited to support the UK in the post-war era.
The celebration will consist of two public exhibitions and a programme of talks by BEMSCA members on Monday 22 June, which is national Windrush Day. On Tuesday 23 June, the exhibitions will remain on display with a special Evensong, open as usual to the public at 5.30pm.
Event Overview
Monday 22 June – Windrush Day
10:00am – 5:30pm
Exhibitions (free to BaNES Discovery Card holders and entry ticket holders):
- British Carnivals by Paula Ogun Hector
- INVITATION: Continuing Conversations by Samantha Walker
Free talks throughout the day (11:30am – 3:00pm):
- 11:30am – Historian Professor Shawn Hailemariam Sobers will talk about his parents’ experiences when they arrived in Bath from Barbados, and explain how that helped shape his extensive research into how the Windrush-era generation settled and impacted the significance of the meaning of home.
- 12:30pm – Rod Dixon will talk about his mother Beryl, who came to England from Jamaica and worked as a nurse in Bath. Struck by the racism she experienced and witnessed, Beryl campaigned for racial equality and was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 in recognition of her service to the community.
- 1:30pm – Barbadian Estlyn McFarquhar, who worked alongside Beryl Dixon and many others in the city to campaign for racial equality, will talk about her life as a midwife in Bath and the ongoing need to tackle racism.
- 2:30pm – Valerie Branding will talk about life in England in 1952 when she arrived from Jamaica to join her husband Noel who was drafted in 1942 from Jamaica to the Royal Air Force. Valerie became a nurse before going on to own and run two well-respected nursing homes in Bath.
Tuesday 23 June
10:00am – 5:30pm
Exhibitions continue
Special Windrush-themed Evensong
5:30pm – 6:15pm (all welcome)
Two exciting exhibitions are at the heart of this celebration. Firstly, on the Abbey floor, a stunning new Tapestry by artist Paula Ogun Hector called British Carnivals which is part of her acclaimed ‘Tapestry of Black Britons’ projects, exploring the African Caribbean contribution to Britain from the Romans onward and addressing gaps in Black British history awareness.
This new piece has been supported in its design by artist Henry Obasi. It celebrates the African roots of Carnival and explores its development in Britain as a joyous aspect of our cultural landscape. This marks what we hope will be an ongoing partnership with Paula and the tapestry, leading to a large-scale exhibition in 2028 at Bath Abbey for the 80th Anniversary of Windrush.
Alongside Paula’s work will be a canvas artwork inspired by her carnival theme, created through a workshop with art students at Hayesfield Girls’ School, local residents and visitors to Bath Abbey.
There is an opportunity for families and other visitors to the Abbey to create their own ‘Carnival Collage’ artwork inspired by Paula’s tapestry during the school half-term holiday between Tuesday 26th and Friday 29th May from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The activity is free to BaNES Discovery Card holders or with an entry ticket.
In addition, in the Learning room in the Abbey’s vaults we are delighted to host curator Samantha Walker’s INVITATION: Continuing Conversations, a beautiful exhibition of photographs and objects celebrating the culture, lives, legacy and impact of Bath’s first-generation Caribbean Community’, developed in collaboration with BEMSCA. The work of acclaimed Bath photographer Dennis Whylie will be included with images of Bath’s Windrush generation from the 1980s onwards.
On Monday 22 June in the afternoon between 11:30am and 3:00pm, there will be a series of talks from Windrush Elders and their family members about coming to England, their lives in Bath and the remarkable contributions they have made.
Visitors are invited to visit the Learning room to hear their inspiring stories and see the stunning black and white images which include weddings and celebrations, and highlight fellow West Indians who joined the armed forces as part of England’s World War II effort.
On Tuesday 23 June, a specially themed Evensong will be held from 5.30pm – 6.15pm and everyone is welcome to attend.
Revd Betsy Blatchley, Abbey Missioner says, “All of us at Bath Abbey are thrilled to be able to host this Windrush Day celebration, and to launch our new collaborations with Paula and Samantha. We are also excited and honoured to deepen our relationships with the Caribbean and African Diaspora communities in Bath and surrounding areas. Paula’s ‘Tapestry of Black Britons’, as well as being stunning art, is a hugely important project in illuminating the often-overlooked history of Black Britons, premiering her latest piece celebrating British Carnivals, is a joy and privilege. Samantha’s research with local members of the Windrush generation has created a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition, reminding us all in Bath how much has been contributed to the life and success of the city. We are delighted to share these works with our Bath residents and visitors from near and far.”
Tapestry of Black Britons Founder & Artist Paula Ogun Hector says, “The British Carnivals tapestry honours the enduring cultural contribution of the Windrush generation. Our partnership with Bath Abbey brings forward the often‑hidden histories of Bath’s African Caribbean community, placing their stories at the heart of one of the city’s most iconic spaces. Supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s Windrush Day Fund, this new tapestry — together with our two‑day celebration — stands as a testament to the vibrant legacy of the Windrush generation. Its display feels especially timely in the year the Bayeux Tapestry returns to Britain. At ‘Tapestry of Black Britons’, we believe in the power of art to connect communities — many threads, one fabric.”
Artist Curator Samantha Walker says, “I’m thrilled to be working with Bath Abbey as part of their exciting Windrush Day celebrations with INVITATION: Continuing Conversations which will see stunning photos of some of Bath’s Windrush generation on display, while members of the Caribbean community will talk about their experiences when they came to Bath. It builds on the recent exhibition INVITATION at Bath Central Library, and will allow people to hear about the good and bad of leaving their homes in the West Indies, and also see some precious vintage objects they brought with them.”
For more information on the events, please contact Polly Andrews, Learning Manager learning@bathabbey.org or 01225 303319
The photos: Tapestry: Close up of ‘Carnival: African Roots’ from Tapestry of Black Britain Wedding photograph: Glaister ‘Bill’ Dixon and Beryl Wright on their wedding day in Bath on August 5, 1961, celebrating with family and friends outside 9 Grosvenor Place. Picture courtesy of the Dixon family.
For more on the Windrush story the BBC have an article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w4q1ee1p4o
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