Episode 1
Documentary following a family who give up their modern lives for one summer to experience what life was like for Caribbeans who immigrated to Britain in the postwar period.
A family give up their modern lives for one summer to experience what life was like for Caribbeans who immigrated to Britain in the postwar period.
Beginning in 1948, the year the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury and discharged its passengers, the Irwin family travel through the 1950s and 60s, guided by presenter Giles Coren and social historian Emma Dabiri who introduce them to their new homes as well as the events of the time. Along the way the Irwins discover the food, work and entertainment of first-generation immigrants making their lives in Brixton.
In 1959, the whole family get a lesson in 1950s steel pan from EastEnders star Rudolph Walker, and in 1962, dad Weininger gets some fashion tips from 60s singer Kenny Lynch. In 1966, mum Janice embraces her role as a nurse at a time when the NHS recruited directly in the West Indies for staff.
As the family's living situation improves over the years, they decide to see the 60s out with a blues party.
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Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:03Horace Andy
Skylarking
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00:04The Jamaican Calypsonians
Mango Walk / Give Me Back Me Shilling / Mr Parney / Sweetie Charlie
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00:05Sound Dimension
Drum Song
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00:08The Jamaican Calypsonians
Mary's Lamb / The More We Are Together
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00:08Hubert Porter & The Tower Islanders
Hold 'Im Joe
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00:11Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five
Ration Blues
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00:12Count Owen & His Calypsonians
Take Her To Jamaica
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00:13Lord Kitchener
London Is The Place For Me
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00:16Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five
Reet, Petite and Gone
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00:17Lord Kitchener
Sweet Jamaica
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00:21Lord Kitchener
Saxophone no 2
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00:28The Platters
Shake It Up Mambo
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00:29Harold Richardson and The Ticklers
Parish Gal
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00:32The Jaynetts
I Wanted To Be Free
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00:34Elmore James
Dust My Broom
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00:35Elmore James
She Just Won't Do Right
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00:36Count Lasher & His Calypsonians
Calypso Cha Cha Cha
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00:40Bo Diddley
Roadrunner
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00:42Andy Capp
Pop A Top
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00:45The Coasters
Wake Me, Shake Me
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00:46The Duke Reid Band
Strolling In
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00:46The Wailers
Simmer Down
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00:48John Barry
Twist It
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00:49Sam Cooke
A Change Is Gonna Come
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00:51Jimmy Cliff
Miss Jamaica
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00:55Thomas McCook & The Skatalites
Silver DollarÂ
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00:59Eric “Monty” Morris
Penny Reel
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Giles Coren |
| Presenter | Emma Dabiri |
| Participant | Kenny Lynch |
| Participant | Rudolph Walker |
| Participant | Paul Stephenson |
| Participant | Donald Hinds |
| Executive Producer | Emma Hindley |
| Series Producer | Nancy Bornat |
| Director | Geoff Small |
| Producer | Carl Callam |
Broadcasts
- Mon 21 Nov 2016 21:00
- Wed 23 Nov 2016 00:15±«Óătv Two England & HD only
- Wed 23 Nov 2016 00:45±«Óătv Two Scotland
- Sat 17 Dec 2016 02:05
- Wed 26 Jun 2019 23:15±«Óătv Two except Northern Ireland & Scotland
- Thu 17 Oct 2019 00:00±«Óătv Two except Scotland
- Tue 16 Jun 2020 23:30±«Óătv Two except Scotland
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