Black History Month 2018 – ‘Paved with Gold’: Bedford’s Windrush Generation Exhibition at The Higgins Bedford

The Higgins Bedford will celebrate this year's Black History Month by hosting a variety of events and an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush arriving with people from the Caribbean to Britain. The museum presents 'Paved with Gold': Bedford's Windrush Generation, a fascinating exhibition exploring the stories of people settling in Bedford from 1948, which will open on 6th October 2018 and is free to visit.

This exhibition will highlight the Windrush Generation's journey to Bedford, where they settled, and their employment opportunities. It will also explore their legacy of endurance and determination through the challenges they faced and the contributions they made to the community.

As part of the exhibition, The Higgins Bedford has been interviewing members of the Windrush Generation who settled in Bedford to recognise the impact they have made in rebuilding the town after the Second World War.

The Higgins Bedford has been working in partnership with The Higgins Black History Panel, the University of Hertfordshire, Retired Caribbean Nurses Association of Bedford, Nubian Teachings and members of the public to collect and showcase the stories, artefacts, and photographs presented in this exhibition.

Cllr Sarah-Jayne Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said "'Paved with Gold': Bedford's Windrush Generation is set to be a fascinating exhibition, exploring the history and stories of people settling in Bedford from 1948 as part of the 'Windrush Generation'. This exhibition is part of the museum's celebration of Black History Month and then will run until March 2019, make sure you take the opportunity to visit."

Examples of the stories in the exhibition include:

Bishop Francis Vaughan arrived in Britain on his 21st birthday in 1958. He managed the expansion of his ministry from its humble beginnings and became the Bishop of The Miracle Church of God in Christ on Alexandra Road. 'We came to offer Britain what our country had already imparted to us. The church was everything for the community. We grew up with the church. It was our life. We felt unwelcome here, so people sacrificed their time to help build the church.'

Jasine Belinfante arrived in Britain in 1969 at 18 years old to train as a nurse and midwife. She settled in Bedford in 1974 and enjoyed a career at Bedford's North Wing and South Wing Hospital. 'I've had a good career in Bedford. I've worked as a staff nurse and a midwife, serving the community well by delivering babies and caring for the elderly. I've enjoyed both aspects of the profession tremendously'.

Rudolph Rockhead came to Britain and resided in Bedford in 1960 to continue his career as a bricklayer and builder. He helped to build houses, schools, churches, shops, and Bedford Police Station. 'I arrived in Britain in 1960 as a builder, and that's what I have done in all my years here. To see families living in, and enjoying the houses that I've built makes me more satisfied than anything else'