Multicultural Britain - One British Contribution to Saturday at the Residential

Eddie Crust gave a presentation on Multicultural Britain, with particular reference to London, Camden and the Camden school where he is a teacher.  In London only 45% of the population is classified as 'White British' and in Eddie's school 50% of the students are Muslim. 

In London generally there are many people from the Caribbean, since the years following World War II when Britain desperately needed workers for rebuilding after the destruction caused by six years of bombing.  Many people came from the then British Empire (which covered a quarter of the world).  The famous ship Empire Windrush brought immigrants from from the Caribbean in 1948.  Until the 1960s citizens of the British Empire could have a British Empire Passport, which afforded them unrestricted immigration.

The annual Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world's largest street festivals, is led by the British Caribbean community.  Since it was first held in 1966 it has become famous round the world.

 

Over the years, Britain has absorbed immigrant families from many countries, including refugees from conflicts in Somalia, Eritrea, Iraq, Kosovo and, since 2004, economic migrants from Eastern European countries which became members of the European Union.

by Kate Scott (note taker for Eddie's presentation)