Flag to be raised to commemorate Jamaican independence 50th anniversary

Sandwell Mayor Councillor Keith Davies will be the guest of honour at the public event in Oldbury Civic Square. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Among those attending will be local residents who came to the UK on the Empire Windrush ship in 1948 - they were among the first large group of people from the Caribbean to arrive after the Second World War.

Derrick Campbell, of Rights Equality Sandwell, will compere the event and representatives from other groups including the African Caribbean Resource Centre in West Bromwich and the Community Action Project in Smethwick will also mark the occasion.

Singer Laurel Robinson and the Dreemz choir will perform the Jamaican national anthem at the event, starting at 12pm.

There will then be music inside Sandwell Council House played by jazz saxophonist J.

The UK's celebrations coincide with those in Jamaica, the United States, Canada and other countries around the world.

Councillor Davies said: "I look forward to celebrating an important anniversary for the Commonwealth and many people in Sandwell, including those with Jamaican heritage, who will be marking this occasion."

For more information about the event, email Marcia Wilson at marcia_wilson@sandwell.gov.uk or call her on 07576 302129.