Balmoral Awarded Windrush Funding
Bristol’s historic pleasure steamer, the Balmoral, has been awarded funding to stage celebrations for pioneers of the Windrush Generation
Funding has been awarded for an innovative project in Bristol that brings elders, school children engineers and ex-merchant sailors together on board an historic passenger vessel to celebrate migration.
The project is run by the Balmoral in partnership with My Future My Choice, an education initiative supported by the charity The Bristol Initiative Charitable Trust.
“ This project is a fantastic opportunity for schools and community to expand the successful project they piloted with us last year. It combines engineering, poetry and history.
Elders and children on board a ship will explain and explore the science, engineering and emotions associated with transporting people and cargo.
There is a powerful message at the end of each day’s event with poetry readings staged by young people as they winch their own hopes and memories from the ships hold onto the quayside. ”
Hugh Thomas, My Future My Choice
Dates for schools workshops and weekend celebrations will be announced in May. This project will extend from May through to September with special public events in and around Windrush Day on 22nd June 2020.
The project was instigated by staff from Bristol Primary Schools who wanted pupils to better understand migration, after they reported that Increasing divisions in public opinion on this issue were impacting negatively on children’s lives.
As a result My Future My Choice is now engaging Bristol schools as well as pioneers of the Windrush Generation and other migrant communities to create an annual programme.
Pioneers of the Windrush Generation project is funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
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Further Information
My Future My Choice – Provide education services that explore heritage to help young people explore possible futures. MFMC inspire young people with volunteers from business and industry. Supported by the Business West charity, the Bristol Initiative Charitable Trust.
Balmoral – Britain’s Famous Pleasure Steamer is also one of Britain’s most prized ships. Launched in 1949 she is a fully serviceable ship which plans to return to active service following upgrades to comply with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Currently moored Bristol’s Harbour, she is regularly used for Bristol based film and television productions, as well as educational events.
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