2889) "MV Empire Windrush - 75 Years," United Kingdom: i) The Arrival: ii) The Windrush Scandal - The Windrush Generation: iii) The Hostile Environment Policy: iv) Breaking new Ground: v) National Windrush Day: vi) The Stamp set oy Royal Mail UK: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 22.06.2023:
i) About the MV Empre Windrush - the Arrival:
The MV Empire Windrush arrived at the Port of Tilbury on 21.06.1948 and its passengers disembarked a day later.
It carried several hundred Caribbean migrants, many of them veterans of the Second World War.
It has come to symbolise the mass migration of people from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom in the post-war era. They were essentially transported to the UK to fill labour shortages in the island nation.
HMT Empire Windrush became a symbol of a wider mass-migration movement.
People from across the then British Empire were encouraged to move to the UK to help with post-War labour shortages and rebuild its battered economy.
Many of those who came became manual workers, drivers, cleaners, and nurses in the newly-established NHS.
In 2018 it emerged that the government had not properly recorded the details of people who had been granted permission to stay in the UK, and many were wrongly deported to their countries of Origin.
ii) The Windrush Scandal:
The Windrush scandal was a British political scandal that began in 2018 concerning people who were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened with deportation, and in at least 83 cases wrongly deported from the UK by the Home Office.
Many of those affected had been born British subjects and had arrived in the UK before 1973, particularly from Caribbean countries, as members of the "Windrush Generation" (so named after the Empire Windrush, the ship that brought one of the first groups of West Indian migrants to the UK in 1948).
Apart from those who were deported, an unknown number were detained, lost their jobs or homes, had their passports confiscated, or were denied benefits or medical care to which they were entitled.
Several long-term UK residents were refused re-entry to the UK, a larger number were threatened with immediate deportation by the Home Office.
The scandal also prompted a wider debate about British immigration policy and Home Office practice.
The March 2020 independent Windrush Lessons Learned Review, conducted by the inspector of constabulary Wendy Williams, concluded that the Home Office had shown "ignorance and thoughtlessness" and that what had happened had been "foreseeable and avoidable".
It further found that immigration regulations were tightened "with complete disregard for the Windrush generation" and that officials had made "irrational" demands for multiple documents to establish residency rights. Even mentally ill persons were sent back to their countries of origin.
Despite a compensation scheme being announced in December 2018, by November 2021, only a handful of victims had received any compensation and 23 of those eligible had died before receiving payments.
Three separate Parliamentary committees had issued reports during 2021 criticising Home Office slowness and ineffectiveness in providing redress to victims and calling for the scheme to be taken out of the hands of the Home Office.
The British Nationality Act 1948 gave citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies status and the right of settlement in the UK to everyone who was at that time a British subject by virtue of having been born in a British colony.
Between 1948 and 1970, nearly half a million people moved from the Caribbean to Britain, which in 1948 faced severe labour shortages in the wake of the Second World War.
Working age adults and many children travelled from the Caribbean to join parents or grandparents in the UK or travelled with their parents without their own passports.
Having a legal right to come to the UK, they neither needed nor were given any documents upon entry to the UK, nor following changes in immigration laws in the early 1970s. Many worked or attended schools in the UK without any official documentary record of their having done so, other than the same records as any UK-born citizen.
Since the right was automatic, many people in this category were never given, or asked to provide, documentary evidence of their right to remain at the time or over the next forty years, during which many continued to live and work in the UK, believing themselves to be British.
The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 specifically protected long-standing residents of the UK from Commonwealth countries from enforced removal.
iii) Hostile Environment Policy:
In 2012, Home Secretary Theresa May (later Prime Minister) said the aim was to create "a really hostile environment for illegal immigrants". The policy was widely seen as part of a strategy of reducing UK immigration to the levels promised in the 2010 Conservative Party Election Manifesto and to send back the "Windrush Generation".
iv) Breaking new ground:
Some migrants broke new ground in representing black Britons in society.
Jamaican-British Sam Beaver King served in the RAF during the War and took a job as a postman after arriving at Tilbury in his 20s.
He became a campaigner for black-British rights, and the first black mayor of Southwark. He also established a programme for migrants to buy homes in the UK and co-founded the country's first Caribbean-style carnival - a precursor to the Notting Hill Carnival.
v) A National Windrush Day was declared by the then Prime Minister in 2018 which is celebrated on 22 June, on the day that passengers disembarked was announced ahead of the 70th anniversary, in a feeble attempt to pacify the affected migrants.
vi) The Stamps released by the Royal Mail, UK:
Royal Mail, UK is marking the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush to the UK on 22.06.1948, which has come to symbolise the mass migration of people from the Caribbean to the UK in the post-war era.
Eight new stamps featuring vibrant illustrations have been created exclusively for Royal Mail to celebrate this occasion.
The Stamps:
1st Class - Artist: Kareen Cox
Title: "From Small Island Life to Big Island Dreams"
1st Class - Artist: Tomekah George
Title: "Ode to Saturday Schools"
£1.00 - Artist: Bokiba
Title: "Carnival Come Thru!"
£1.00 - Artist: Emma Prempeh
Title: "Basking in the Sun After a Hard Work Day."
£2.00 - Artist: Emma Prempeh
Title: "The March"
£2.00 - Artist: Bokiba
Title: "Here We Come"
£2.20 - Artist: Kareen Cox
Title: "Taste the Caribbean"
£2.20 - Artist: Alvin Kofi
Title: "Dancehall Rhythms"
The First Day Cover (FDC) depicts a black and white image of the MV Empire Windrush landing in the Port of Tilsbury (at left). The FDC is titled "WINDRUSH 75 YEARS ARRIVALS".
At top right are affixed the eight stamps issued in the set cancelled with a special handstamp/postmark dated "22.06.2022".
A set of Post Cards
The Presentation Pack (PP)
Technical details:
Issue Date: 22.06.2023
Designer: The Chase and Supple Studio
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Process: Lithography, Gum
Size: 41mm x 30mm
Values: 2 x 1st Class, 2 x £1.00, 2 x £2.00, 2 x £2.20
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
i) A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) featuring "The Royal Cipher", British Antarctic Territory (BAT), "Proclamation", South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SG & SSI), "Double Portrait", Falkland Islands: Pobjoy Mint, UK has brought out a limited edition 3-Coin 50 Pence Set with Pearl Black Finish and Privy Mark: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
ii) Charles III, United Kingdom: Effigy unveiled on memorial 5 Pound Crowns and 50 Pence Coins
iii) Late Queen Elizabeth II and Ascension of King Charles III: A Combo of i) Four Postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail Tallents House, Edinburgh and a ii) Memorial 50 Pence Coin Cover issued by the Royal Mint, UK
Britannia Coins:
i) Britannia, United Kingdom: Collector edition of popular Britannia in Gold, Silver and Platinum Proof Coins with a new design on of Reverse and King Charles III featuring on a Britannia Coin for the first time: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
Related Links on this Blog:
1) 200 Years of the Discovery of Antarctica, Estonia: A 2 Euro Commemorative Coin dedicated the the Bicentenary of the Discovery of Antarcticca by Admiral Fabian Gottlieb Benjamin von Bellingshausen on board the "Vostok": Coin issue date: 01/2020
2) Solomon Islands: 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's first Pacific "Voyage of Discovery" and charting of New Zealand and Australia's East Coast: Date of Coin issue: 2020
Links: Postage Stamps from the British Isles:
16) Birds of Prey, Royal Mail, UK: This set of 10 Stamps includes White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albilicca), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Red Kite (Milvus milvus) and Perigrine Falcon (Falco perigrinus): Stamp set issue date: 04.04.2019
30) The Romantic Poets, UK: 1) A Combo of 10 Stamps (by Royal Mail UK) and a 5 Pounds Commemorative Coin (by Royal Mint UK), on the 250th Birth Anniversary of William Wordsworth includes the Romantic (Nature) poets - John Clare, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, WilliamBlake, Walter Scott, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Wordsworth, Mary Robinson, Letetia Elizabeth Landon, John Keats & Lord Byron : Date of stamp issue: 07.04.2020
53) Gibraltar Cryptocurrency Stamp: Stamp value 4 Pounds: Date of Stamp issue: 15.05.2021: (Pre-ordered accepted from 19.04.2021)
54) The Calf Of Man Nature Reserve", Isle of Man, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): 75th Anniversary" Celebrations (1946-2021): A set of ten Stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post (IOMP) commemorating the milestone of this Biosphere Island: (Also includes the EUROPA Stamp on "Endangered National Wildlife" theme designated by PostEurop for 2021): Date of Stamps issue: 12.04.2021
55) "The Who", United Kingdom: The iconic Rock Group features on the latest "British Music Legends" Collector Coin Series issues from the Royal Mint UK: Date of Coin Release: 24.05.2021
56) "Sark - Dark Sky Island", Guernsey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): This "GuernseyTogether" Series of stamps by Guernsey Post features drawings made by Sark school-children: Date of stamp set issue: 19.08.2020
57) Surfing in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set if six stamps issued by Jersey Post featuring contemporary photographs taken by Jersey photographers: Date of Stamp Set issie: 18.05.2021
58) Dennis and Gnasher, United Kingdom: 70th Anniversary (1951-2021): A set of sis Stamps issued by Royal Mail, UK, featuring the popular comic strip: Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.07.2021
59) The Palace of Westminster, United Kingdom: 10th Anniversary molestone (1870-2020): Royal Mail UK has issued a set of Ten Stamps featuring the iconic Palace: Date/Year of Coin issue: 30.07.2020
60) Industrial Revolutions, United Kingdom: Royal Mail, UK has brought out a set of stamps featuring the Industrial Revolutions: Date of Stamp Set issue: 12.08.2021
61) Frances Hodgson Burnett and "The Secret Garden", Alderney, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post on behalf of Aldernay Islands: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.09.2021
62) "75th Anniversary of MENSA" (1946-2021", Isle of Man, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post (IOMP): Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.10.2021
63) Non-Value Indicator (NVI) Definitive Stamps, United Kingdom (UK): Date of Stamps issue: 01.02.2022
64) "Heart of the Forest", Guernsey , A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Guernsey Post has brought out the first part of a Stamp quartet which takes inspiration from the "Love Paper" Global Campaign: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 09.02.2022
65) Harvest of the Sea, Jersey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Jersey Post has issued a set of six stamps depicting six different sea foods: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 17.02.2022
Innovations in Science 50 Pence Coin Series:
Music Legends Coin Series:
1) "The Who", United Kingdom: The iconic Rock Group features on the latest "British Music Legends" Collector Coin Series issues from the Royal Mint UK: Date of Coin Release: 24.05.2021
2) Music Giants III, QUEEN, UK: A comprehensive Coin and Stamps Combo issued by the Royal Mail UK in collaboration with the Queen Band and the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin & Stamp combo issue: 09.06.2020
3) "Rolling Stones", United Kingdom: "Music Legends Coin Series": Fifth Coin in the Series: Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins feature the timeless Rock Band: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
4) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: Two Commemorative Stamp sets (Presentation Sets) brought out by the Royal Mail, UK on 07.07.2016: 1) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: A set of six stamps issued, their most popular studio albums 2) Legendary Live Performances: A set of four stamps issued depicting four of their memorable tours
5) "Yellow Submarine", A song sung by the English Rock Band - "The Beatles" in 1966, Gibraltar: A 5 Pounds Silver Coin minted by the crown Mint features the iconic song sung by the legendary Rock Group: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
6) Iron Maiden (a Heavy Metal English Band), United Kingdom (UK): A set of eight stamps issued on the legendary Band by Royal Mail UK: Date of Stamp set issue: 12.01.2023
Links to "Great Engravers Coin Series":
1) "William Wyon", United Kingdom (UK): "Great Engravers Coin Series": First Coin in the Series features Wyon's Gothic Crown in Gold and Silver: Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.12.2021
2) "William Wyon", United Kingdom (UK): "Great Engravers Coin Series": Second Coin in the Series featuring the Obverse of Wyon's Gothic Crown in Gold and Silver: Date/Year of Coin issue: 02/2022 (with Date of issue marked as 2021)
3) "The Petition Crown", United Kingdom: "Master Engravers Coin Series": Thomas Simon's Crown Coin designed as a direct response to the newly restored King Charles II to consider his own work for use on English coinage: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
The World of David Walliams Coin Series:
Posts on the UK Coins and Stamps:
"Tales of the Earth Coin Series": The Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series:
i) Prehistoric Temnodontosaurus, United Kingdom: "Tales of the earth Coin Series": First coin in the "Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series" features on Gold, Silver & Cupro-nickel 50 Pence Coin Variants: Date/Year of Coin issue: 25.02.2021 Variants
Myths & Legends Coin Series:
1) "ROBIN HOOD", United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": First Coin in the Series: Silver 2 UKP (2 Pounds) and Gold 100 UKP(100 Pounds) Bullion Coins issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the famed/legendary Outlaw: Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) The Legend of Robin Hood, United Kingdom: Royal Mail, UK has issued a set of ten postage stamps depicting the legend of Robin Hood: Date of Stamp Set issue: 13.04.2023
3) "MERLIN", United Kingdom: "Myths and Legends Coin Series": Second Bullion Coin in the Series: Silver 2 UK Pounds & 5 UK Pounds and Gold 25 and 100 UK Pounds Bullion Coins and 5 Pounds Cupro-nickel issued by the Royal Mint UK featuring the legendary wizard: Year of Coin issue: 2023
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
i) A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) featuring "The Royal Cipher", British Antarctic Territory (BAT), "Proclamation", South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SG & SSI), "Double Portrait", Falkland Islands: Pobjoy Mint, UK has brought out a limited edition 3-Coin 50 Pence Set with Pearl Black Finish and Privy Mark: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
"The Queen's Beasts" Coin Series, UK issues:
"Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria" Coin Series, UK issues:
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019
30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich
31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p) : Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.201932) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK issues:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab. This treatment of the Caribbean people shows the selfishness of the Britons. They are now paying for their past misdeeds.
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