Members of parliament from Barbados have visited Reading, providing opportunities to learn about links with the town and democratic functions.

The primary purpose of the visit to Reading was for elected officials from Barbados to learn more about the functions of MPs offices in the UK, which was facilitated by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK.

Five members of the Parliament of Barbados visited Reading Museum and the council offices, and were hosted by Councillor Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood), the Mayor of Reading, and Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading Central.

A special exhibition was set up at Reading Museum providing insights on the the links between Barbados and the UK, with a particular focus on Barbadian contributions to the Armed Forces.

Barbadians were involved in the British West Indies Regiment which was formed in 1915 and made up of Caribbean volunteer troops who were involved in engagements during the First World War.

During the Second World War,  12 Barbadian men served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, including Errol Walton Barrow, who became the first Prime Minister of the island.

An information board titled 'Pilots of the Caribbean' reflected this history.

Information boards reflecting the history of Barbadian people in the armed forces at Reading Museum.Information boards reflecting the history of Barbadian people in the armed forces at Reading Museum. (Image: Office of Matt Rodda MP)

The visit was attended by Senator John King, Senator the Honourable Lindell Nurse, Dr Romel Springer MP, Mr Peter Phillips MP and Beverley Gibbons Justice of the Peace and deputy clerk of the Parliament of Barbados.

Mr Rodda said: "It was a pleasure to join the Mayor of Reading hosting a delegation from the Barbados Parliament.

"It was interesting to meet MPs, a Senator, and Senior Clerk, discuss our work and to celebrate the Windrush Generation and the contribution of Barbadians in Reading."

Reading has been twinned with Speightstown, the second largest town of Barbados since 2003, after collaboration between Tony Jones, a former Mayor of Reading, Patricia Cutting and Anderson Connell, a member of the Barbados and Friends Association Reading.

The majority of Barbadians settled in Reading during the 1950s as part of the Windrush generation.

Barbados was a colony of the British Empire for three centuries from 1625 to 1966, when the island was granted its Independence.

Immigration from the island to Great Britain and Reading in particular continued through the decades, with approximately 4,000 Barbadians registered as living in Reading in the 1990s.

Mr Connell said that Reading was seen as a little Barbados, or a ‘Bajan town’.

The visit of the Bajan delegation to Reading took place on Friday, November 22.

Cllr Dennis is co-ordinating initiatives to strengthen ties between Reading and Speightstown since becoming deputy mayor in 2023/24 and mayor for 2024/25.

Mr Connell is a senior merchandiser for Newsquest.