Windrush Towers on display for three weeks at Barry Civic Centre

The towers, which were produced in partnership with the National Windrush Museum and the Royal British Legion, are information stands that will be travelling around the Vale for the next 12 weeks.

Members of the public can view the towers to learn more about the 16,000 men and women from the Caribbean who served in the forces during the Second World War.

Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places said: “We were honoured when the Royal British Legion asked the Council to host the Windrush Towers here at the Civic Offices and venues across the Vale for 12 weeks.

Professor Uso Iwobi giving her speech with VOG Cabinet Members. Picture: Vale of Glamorgan Council (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council)“On behalf of the Council, it is my privilege to welcome the Windrush Elders to the Vale of Glamorgan and to recognise and thank those who answered Britain’s call.

“These towers stand as a testament to their bravery and commitment for which we are eternally grateful. Thank you.”

The towers will be moved in three weeks to the Penarth Pier Pavilion.

Professor Uso Iwobi CBE, Chief Executive of Race Council Cymru, said: “We in the African and African-Caribbean communities believe that the Elders give you the light to hold, they give you the baton to carry and run - we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Elders upon whose shoulders that we stand.

“The Windrush story came to my attention a few years ago when I was newly appointed to the Commission for Racial Equality. I attended an event in Bute Street, Cardiff, as the Vice Chair of the Black History Association Wales.”

Yvonne Bunt Howard Reading her poem. Picture: Vale of Glamorgan Council (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council)Professor Iwobi shared that she met Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Campbell at the event in Cardiff.

“At that meeting, I met Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Campbell. As she got to know me over the years, she began to pass on her need to share stories from our communities with me.

“She said to me ‘Many of us carry the legacy of those who came before us.’”

One of the Windrush Elders in attendance was Mrs Roma Taylor, a former nurse for Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps and founder of Windrush Cymru Elders.

Professor Iwobi added: “Auntie Roma Taylor was a nurse for over twenty-five years and is one of the people we are here to honour.

“Her story is one of forty-eight collected by the Royal British Legion. It is so important that these stories are never forgotten.”

You can read more about Roma Taylor’s story on the Windrush Towers within the Civic Offices.