A Windrush Story with author Tony Fairweather

Thursday 16th June

Join Tony in launching his new book, Twenty-Eight Pounds Ten Shillings – A Windrush Story

 

After WW2 England was on its knees, so the call went out to the British Empire for volunteers to rebuild the “Mother Country”. Young men and women from different Caribbean islands were quick to respond, paying the considerable sum of twenty-eight pounds ten shillings (£600 in today’s money) to board the ship of dreams. This historical novel is the back story of the people, many in their teens, who had never before left their parents or island. The two-week voyage on the HMT Windrush saw parties, friendships, fights, racism, sex, and discussions of God and Love.

Tony Fairweather was born in Clapham, the son of Jamaican parents. He opened one of the first Black bookshops in the UK, with an art gallery and artefacts. He then went on to work for the Voice newspaper heading up its book club. In 1989 he founded ‘The Write Thing’. Tony is the founder and curator of the Windrush Collection and the Windrush Exhibition of artefacts associated with the Windrush generation. He lives in South London.

Join Tony in launching this fascinating story in Brixton Library – Windrush Square! This is more than a book reading, it’s a Windrush experience in the Windrush month,

with artifacts from the 40s/50s, Windrush Books, Music, Poetry, Fun & Rum. Don’t miss this night.