Do you have a story to share of memories of your grandparents, parents or yourself who came to Britain during the Windrush period? Or were you born in Britain with Caribbean heritage or do you have a migration story to share? You will find these passport postcards at the cafe. When you visit the installation take some time to fill out the card and post it to our memory wall in the venue. Or sign up and leave your comment in the reply box below and join the conversation. 
Caribbean Takeaway Takeover 
One of the distinctive items that are seen in many photographs that recorded the arrival of my parents generation from the Caribbean during the Windrush period was the Grip (suitcase). I was born in England in the 1960’s to parents who came to England from Jamaica in 1954 and 1955. In my childhood I remember them having several grips in our home until their fell apart through age, wear and tear some time back in the 1970’s and 1980’s. As well as the ottoman, these grips often held precious items such as official documents and things they were collecting for when they ultimately returned home to Jamaica which sadly they never did.
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Stories added to our memory wall at the cafe are shared here:
“My mother started as a nurse in London but having four children was difficult to maintain but had to get a second job to support the family after her husband moved on. As a bus conductor we were used to the bus as babysitter and every year after we would go back to Trinidad to see my granny and granddad. My mother name is Angela. “ From Trinidad and Tobago.
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe:
“Long time ago my grandparents migrated from France and Italy to Chile. I heard many stories of their efforts to work and raise their families years after I migrated to the UK to start new stories” …..Palin
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I came from South Africa to look for political and economic safety, that Pretoria South Africa was lacking. I came to the UK as an artist. My home country will also ways be a part of who I am but now I consider myself as a British Citizen
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe by one of our Volunteers:
“My name is Jonathan Grant. I am the grandchild of Mr & Mrs Grant who came to London England from Clarendon Jamaica. My grandfather came here by himself in the early 1960’s. He sent for my Grandmother and their two Jamaican born children later in the 60’s. I am thankful that my grandparents laid the foundation for me and my generation of the family.”
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe by Lenore Sykes one of our Windrush elders who took part in the project.
“My parents never travelled. My late mother travelled to Tobago because of a bet. My sister is still at home ( Trinidad), a retired school teacher. I came to the United Kingdom with the intention of returning home. I met my late husband and made England my home. I enjoyed being a midwife in the UK and my return to midwifery was the best experience.” Lenore.
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe:
“My parents came to London in the 1950’s to make a home for me and my 3 siblings. They came from Ireland to look for work and build a family, friendships, community, prospects and a history. They are still in London continuing with their endeavour!.”
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe by Carol Sydney one of our Windrush elders who took part in the project.
“This is an excellent idea to keep history alive. Black people need to know where they come from, to help them to move forward. Good Job.” Carol Sydney.
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe:
“Pleased to see the stories come alive in the cafe, the heart of the community. The elders being the star of the exhibition. Proud that their stories have been shared, Proud to be a Thurrock resident – the arrival in the UK.” Johnathan Curzon, Chair of Essex Cultural Diversity Project.
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A postcard posting added to our memory wall in the cafe by Carlton Darrell one of our Windrush elders who took part in the project.
“I wish to congratulate you on an excellent exhibition. A true Caribbean Takeaway Takeover. It was more than I expected and I will take these memories with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Carlton Darrell MBE
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Thank you Carlton, and Carol and all the elders who took part in the project it was a pleasure interviewing you all to to share your stories with the wider public. We hope it was just as enriching for you as it was for our team and others who have visited the installation or have left comments in the cafe or on the website. To our visitors please keep your migration stories coming we would love to hear them and tell us what you think of the installation.
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This is the last weekend of our site specific installation Caribbean Takeaway Takeover at S&S Cafe in Colchester. It has been a wonderful journey sharing our elders stories with visitors to the installation. It is not too late to join the conversation. Evewright the Creative Director/Artist will be at the Cafe today Saturday 28th July between 3pm-5pm. If you would like to speak to him about his work and art practice get down to the cafe today. Hope to see some of you there!
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LATEST NEWS….INSTALLATION EXTENDED FOR A LIMITED PERIOD IN AUGUST. !!
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