By Leah Conway –Â
For Windrush Day 2021, Kirklees Council raised the Windrush Flag at town halls across Kirklees for the first time. The flag was raised at Huddersfield Town Hall on Monday 21 June. Â Additionally, Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton Town Halls are also flying the flag for Windrush Day.
This week the flag is flying in cities and towns across the country. This includes the Head Quarters of the Home Office, the Houses of Parliament as well as the Jamaican Parliament, Kingston.
Today, 22 June, is Windrush Day. In 2018, the Government made 22 June the official Windrush day.  There are plenty of opportunities this year to get involved in activities across Kirklees including ‘Create Your Own Flag’ and ‘Taste of Sunshine.’
The importance of the Windrush Generation
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“The people of the Windrush Generation are an integral part of Kirklees’s past and future development. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate this generation and make sure that their story is not forgotten.
“We are raising the flag as a show of appreciation, unity and support and I hope by doing so that we increase awareness about the importance of the way in which the Windrush Generation have positively shaped modern day life in the UK.
“Unfortunately some of those people from the Windrush generation, and subsequent generations, are still struggling to gain their rightful citizenship to live and work in the UK. If this applies to you or someone you know, you can access help through the Windrush helpline: 0800 678 1925.”
“A new home in Huddersfield…”
Local Windrush pioneers joined Kirklees Council staff and the Mayor of Kirklees to mark the historic moment as the Windrush flag was raised for the first time.
Johnny Flowers, a local Windrush pioneer, said:
“I left Jamaica in 1961 and found a new home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. It fills me with so much pride to see the Windrush flag flying in my hometown. The flag is an acknowledgement to the older Windrush generations but also to the younger generations and to those who will follow.
“I hope that we continue to celebrate Windrush Day for many years to come as I believe it’s important for people to know about the contributions we have made and continue to make.”
Check out KLTV’s video capturing the Windrush Flag flying above Town Hall: