William paid a visit to 97-year-old Alford Gardner at his home in Leeds, West Yorkshire, as part of ITV’s Pride Of Britain: A Windrush Special documentary. Together, they made a surprise trip to Headingley cricket ground where they celebrated with cricketing stars. The prince commended Mr. Gardner for his “positive spirit” and acknowledged him as the person who had changed so many lives.
Mr. Gardner established the club in 1948, just three months after arriving in the UK on the HMT Empire Windrush from Jamaica. As one of the first members of the Windrush generation, he answered Britain’s call to help alleviate post-war labour shortages by immigrants from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation.
Accompanied by friends, family, and renowned cricket players like Darren Gough, Mr. Gardner joined William at Headingley. The prince even took a turn bowling, encouraging Mr. Gardner to take it easy. Mr. Gardner, with a laugh, admitted that he couldn’t remember the last time he bowled.
Curious about the club’s origins, William asked if there were any other cricket clubs in the area when Mr. Gardner arrived. He explained that there were, but he specifically wanted to start a West Indian team. Through his efforts and with the help of RAF members and individuals from Manchester, they formed a team. The primary goal was simply to have fun.
William inquired about Mr. Gardner’s cricket skills, wondering if he was a bowler or a batsman, or both. Modestly, Mr. Gardner replied that he had tried everything but wouldn’t claim to be good at anything. The prince praised the club for acting as a central gathering place for people in the area, emphasizing Mr. Gardner’s positive spirit.
Mr. Gardner received an Outstanding Contribution award at the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards on October 8. Darren Gough, former England and Yorkshire cricketer, paid tribute to Alford’s remarkable legacy, referencing the well-known Caribbean Cricket Club in Yorkshire. The turnout at the celebration, including family members and representatives from the West Indies and England cricket teams, shows how highly regarded Mr. Gardner is in the cricket community.
Claude Davis, former captain of the Caribbean Cricket Club, acknowledged the immense challenges Mr. Gardner faced when establishing the club due to discrimination and bureaucratic obstacles. Overcoming these barriers required tremendous mental strength.
The HMT Empire Windrush first arrived in England on June 22, 1948, at Tilbury Docks in Essex. The Windrush scandal, which erupted in 2018, exposed the UK Home Office’s lack of records and failure to provide necessary paperwork to confirm the legal status of Windrush immigrants. This resulted in individuals being unable to access healthcare, work, and housing, and being at risk of deportation.
The documentary also includes interviews with other members of the Windrush generation, featuring insights from celebrities such as Sir Trevor McDonald, Alesha Dixon, Mel B, and Judi Love. Pride Of Britain: A Windrush Special will air on ITV1 & ITVX at 9pm on Thursday.
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