Festival Story

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Windrush Day began quietly, with people arriving in small groups and heading straight for the pavilion. Stumps went in on the outfield, music drifted from the speakers and the smell of Caribbean food rolled across the ground.

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Those who fancied a hit picked up a bat for softball cricket: quick innings, shared equipment, no pressure. Some elders who had not played for years stepped back onto the grass, taking gentle swings and enjoying a game many of them grew up with. Others watched from benches, calling out fielding tips and clapping every connection.

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Between overs, people stepped into the main clubhouse room, which for the day became a Windrush Heritage Room. Display boards, photographs and memorabilia from the Caribbean community in Sheffield were set out around the space and on tables. Elders and volunteers pointed out faces, places and teams that helped to build the club, sparking conversations that carried on long after people left the room.

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A Walk to the Windrush Garden

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Later in the day, groups made their way down to the new Windrush Garden at the bottom of the ground, right by the river. Some walked the full route; others jumped onto the “VIP buggy” — a tractor doing short runs up and down the slope so everyone who wanted to could take part.

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Among trees, benches and education boards, people took a few quiet minutes to read, remember and talk. With support from Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, the garden has been designed as a calm, green space that connects history, nature and community. It gave the festival a different pace: still part of the club, but tucked away enough for reflection and prayer.

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Why It Mattered & What’s Next

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This festival was never just about a single day. By putting cricket, food, music and honest conversation side by side, Caribbean Sports Club and its partners created a space where the Windrush story felt close to home rather than distant history. People left with a clearer sense of why the club exists and whose hard work and courage shaped it.

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The impact will carry on beyond Windrush Day. The Windrush Garden and the heritage room in the clubhouse will be used for future visits from schools, community groups, faith groups and families. Partners such as Sheffield Memory Hub, SACHMA and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust will continue to help shape how the space is used for storytelling, wellbeing and outdoor activities.

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On the pitch, the Junior Hundred — Windrush edition — and friendly sessions will run throughout summer, giving young people regular chances to play cricket in the same welcoming atmosphere they experienced on the day.