Bedford’s Retired Caribbean Nurses Association (RCNA) will be celebrating its fourth bi- annual Gathering at Kempston’s Addison Centre on Wednesday 8 March.
The group, which formed in 2012, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Caribbean nurses who – in the main – came to Bedford in the Windrush era (1948 – 1971). This year’s gathering recognizes the 75th anniversary of the NHS, 75th anniversary of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush, the 48th anniversary of International Women’s Day, and 45th anniversary of Women’s History Month.
The event will incorporate other community groups and has the theme ‘Women Who Tell Our Stories” The day will feature speakers from the RCNA (Bedford) as well as the Al-Haramain Mosque and Education Centre and dancers from Goldington Green Academy.
It costs £20 to attend and includes Caribbean-style food for lunch. Everyone is welcome.
‘Shared history’ project
The event is part of a three-year ‘Shared History’ project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and in collaboration with The Higgins Bedford, Goldington Green Academy and the University of Bedfordshire’s Faculty of Nursing.
“We’re now halfway through the “Shared History Project,” explained Cynthia Stuart, chair of RCNA (Bedford). “Our aim is to record interviews with a number of retired Caribbean nurses so their oral input can be stored at the Higgins Museum in Bedford.”
The inspiration came after Cynthia and the other founding members of the group discovered that there was no record or archive of the Caribbean nurses’ arrival in Bedford.
From 1948 onwards, thousands of people from the Commonwealth were invited by the British government to come to
England, and be trained as nurses, to fill the vacancies within the newly established, NHS.
“Everybody has a great story about coming here and working in the NHS,” said committee member, Adailia Paul.
“To not have anything left behind seemed a tragedy.” “The project is a legacy for our ancestors in the Caribbean, for the NHS and for Bedford,” said fellow committee member, Jackie Pearce.
Cllr McMurdo, portfolio holder for culture at Bedford Borough Council said: “I am delighted that the Retired Caribbean Nurses Association in Bedford are continuing to share their stories through the Sharing History Project.
“This event is a great opportunity to bring communities in Bedford together. The interviews will provide a valuable record of this community’s experiences, to be shared with all through The Higgins Bedford.”
As part of the project, the RCNA (Bedford) gives talks to schools and community groups and they also commissioned a play by Yasmin Joseph, which was performed online during lockdown but is hoping to be rescheduled to be performed live.
The events this year will have added significance as they coincide with the 75th anniversary of Windrush and the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
You can find out more about the RCNA (Bedford) gathering here. Everyone is welcome to attend.
