2011 Newsletter

2011 was certainly an eventfull year for the WAWI project. Listed below are just some of the activities we were involved in.

Island in the Sun

A trip to Jamaica in April included a visit to Up Park Camp, Military Museum and home of the Jamaican Defence Force. On display the 6th WIR Union Colour. Also visted; Daily Gleaner, National Library as well as many of the churches and forts filled with historical information. Information was shared with all parties and we have also made friends and are sharing information with Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, St Kitts.

Articles

An article appeared in May addition of Carl Chinn's Brummagem magazine entitled West Indians in England.

To celebrate 'Windrush Day' on 22nd June and article and poem was published on the DWP Intranet and circulated amongst many of the organisations we are currently working with.

Diversity & Equality

In partnership with DWP & PCS Union we delivered presentations and awareness sessions at Perry Barr, Selly Oak and Chelmsley Wood JCP as well as an Exhibition at DBC, Five Ways.

Education, Education, Education

We attended St Albans Academy in July where we addressed parents from both the Somalian and Yemen Communities on the subject of 'Britishness'.

We have lobbied the PM and his Deputy, The Education Dept and Ofsted as to why Social History is not taught in our Schools. (To be continued)

Media Interest

We gave 3 radio interviews with Newstyle Community Radio; Tues 16th May 6-7pm, Sat 22nd October 1-2pm and Mon 5th Dec 11am - 12noon.

Reward & Recognition

A Citizenship Award from the Hall Green Community was received at the Hall Green Mala and at a Civil Service National Diversity & Equality Award ceremony in London, we were nominated but sadly unsuccessful this time.

Church Services

We spoke of the 'Good Samaritans' at St Ambrose Church, and 'The Burden' at Edward Road, Baptist Church. A service of rememberance, at the Church of the Ascension we spoke of 'The Importance of Friends' and gave credit to those of the Empire that was and the Commonwealth that is.

Black History Month

We attended many events throughout the month and was delighted to address conference of the Royal College of Nursing held at Hearlands Hospital.

The Royal British Legion

We forged an alliance and friendship with the Royal British Legion. (Special thanks to the County Chairman and Birmingham No1 branch). We attended a Charity Cricket Match raising much needed funds and took the opportunity to show off the Colours of the WIR.

The Colours were also paraded at the Launch of the B'ham Poppy Appeal , Festival of Rememberance, Birmingham Remembers (Armistice Day - 11/11/11) and the Military Tattoo at the National Indoor Arena (NIA).

British Caribbean Ex-Service Association

The Standards of the WIR was carried with pride by two veterans of the Warwickshire's at the Commemoration March for West Indian Serviceman in Brixton. The occasion was reported in the Telegraph headed;

'Society isn't Broken - We just ignore the bits that work'.