Exhibition:Windrush Cymru – Our Voices, Our Stories, Our History

Big Pit National Coal Museum
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In 1948, the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex carrying over 1,000 passengers from the Caribbean Islands. They bravely left their friends and families back home in response to Britain’s call for post-war workers. Over the next 40 years, thousands followed in their footsteps, with many making Wales their new home.

The history of the Windrush generation in Wales was recently the focus of an oral history project delivered by Race Council Cymru and funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund. During the course of the project, Windrush Generation Cymru from across the country shared their stories of migration and their memories of forging a new life in Wales.

This powerful exhibition features the stories of over 40 of those Windrush Generation Cymru, told in their own words. Learn about their journeys to Wales, and the challenges they faced in building a new life in a country far from their homelands – finding work and the attitudes of people towards them.

The stories show how the Windrush Generation Cymru, and their descendants, have made their mark in all walks of Welsh life: through the jobs they worked, careers they built, the children they raised, and the contributions they made to our communities and culture

Windrush Cymru – Our Voices, Our Stories, Our History was delivered by Race Council Cymru in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, Wales Millennium Centre, People’s Collection Wales, Windrush Cymru Elders, and Black History Wales 365. With support from Arts Council of Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Gower College Swansea.

Information

29 July–31 August 2022
Cost Free
Suitability All
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Plan your visit

Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

November 2024-31 December 2024  
Open daily (except Christmas and New Year’s day) 9.30am-4pm.  
Last entry: 3pm.  
Underground tours: 10am-3pm.

Christmas & New Year 2024/25  
23 December from 1pm: CLOSED  
24-26 December: CLOSED  
1 January: CLOSED

2 January-30 January 2025 
Open daily 9.30am-4pm.  
Last entry: 3pm.  
Underground Tours : 10am-3pm and available ONLY on 4, 5 , 18 & 19 January 2025.

31 January 2025  
The Museum will be CLOSED for staff training.

1 February 2025 -November 2025  
Open daily 9.30am-5pm.  
Last entry: 4.00pm.  
Underground tours: 10am-3.30pm.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For safety reasons, we reserve the right to conduct bag searches when entering the Museum​.

Parking

If you are arriving by car you will need to pay on arrival. £5 per day. FREE for disabled badge holders and motorbikes. This charge is for parking only – entry to the Museum remains free.

Visting by public transport, bike or foot?

You can plan your journey using the Traveline Cymru website or by calling their helpline on 0800 464 0000.

Eat, drink, shop

  • Our coffee shop serves a small range of hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks. 
  • The Museum shop will be open during your visit.
  • You are welcome to bring a picnic to the Museum.

Accessibility

General advice and advice for our disabled visitors

Access Guide

Location

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