0:00:02 > 0:00:03Ordinary people.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05- Look at that.- Tsunami!
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Extraordinary stories.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It was one of the most amazing days of my life.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14It just felt like being part of a moment in history.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Bonds forged amid triumphs...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20..and tragedies.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23She came to help people, so, to me, she's an angel.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24She's a great person.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26It would mean an awful lot to me
0:00:26 > 0:00:29to be able to say thank you to the fireman that saved me.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33They shared a past, then faced a future apart.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I just hope I recognise him.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36Brought together by fate.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38It's going to be very emotional.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Separated by time.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44# Rap 'er to bank, me canny lad. #
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Real Lives Reunited.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52In today's programme...
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Goodbye, sunshine. Hello, rain.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59'The Empire Windrush brings to Britain 500 Jamaicans,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02'citizens of the British Empire coming to the mother country
0:01:02 > 0:01:03'with good intent.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06The passengers who came to seek their fortunes.
0:01:06 > 0:01:12We were made to understand that England was a rich place
0:01:12 > 0:01:15where there was a lot of money to be made.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And the pioneers who helped to re-build Britain.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Remember England just after the war, everything was dull and grey.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And we came and, by the grace of God, England
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and Britain has been rebuilt.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Plus, remember when the President popped in?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37I didn't realise that it was going to be the most astonishing
0:01:37 > 0:01:38day in my life.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42How the Clintons helped unite a divided land.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46The thing that I can say, on that day is the whole mood of the people,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48you could see that they were filled with hope.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- To the Clintons.- Cheers. - The Clintons.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59# Now, here's a story with a moral
0:01:59 > 0:02:03# All you girls should pay some mind
0:02:03 > 0:02:05# When you find a man worth keeping
0:02:05 > 0:02:07# Be satisfied
0:02:07 > 0:02:09# Make sure to treat him kind
0:02:09 > 0:02:12# A good man is hard to find
0:02:13 > 0:02:15# You should always get the other kind. #
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Post-war Britain was short of money, short of food and short of labour.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The country needed urgent reconstruction,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29so the government turned to an obvious source of workers.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Between 1939 and 1945, thousands of Caribbean men
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and women joined the armed forces, displaying bravery and heroism.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Once the fighting was over, many, like Sam King,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47were keen to find a home and a job in the UK.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Yes, I was in the war, fighting for king and country in 1944.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56I wanted to stay but they said,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59"No, you are from the country of Jamaica, you have to go back."
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I was disappointed.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05But that disappointment soon turned to hope.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08By the summer of 1948, Britain was inviting
0:03:08 > 0:03:12the people of the Caribbean to come and make new lives here.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13It even supplied the transport,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17an ex-troopship called the Empire Windrush.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Sam remembers getting the news that there was room on board.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29About two weeks before the Windrush came to Jamaica, there was
0:03:29 > 0:03:32an ad in The Daily Gleaner
0:03:32 > 0:03:36that the troopship Empire Windrush would be leaving Jamaica for England,
0:03:36 > 0:03:41and £28.10 and, "If you want to go, you must book now."
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Immediately I went to Kingston on from Portland, the eastern part,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and booked my passage.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It was a high price for the potential passengers.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55But for some, like Alford Gardner, it was definitely worth paying.
0:03:55 > 0:04:02We were made to understand that England was a rich place where there
0:04:02 > 0:04:04was a lot of money to be made,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06that's the impression I got as a boy growing up.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Young, single men made up the bulk of passengers,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14but families also signed up for the transatlantic journey.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Dorinda Hulton was only 18 months
0:04:18 > 0:04:20when she boarded the ship with her parents.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23My father was tempted to stay in Jamaica
0:04:23 > 0:04:26because it was such an idyllic place to be,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30but the reason he left in the first place is
0:04:30 > 0:04:32he thought he'd rather be a civil engineer
0:04:32 > 0:04:35sweeping the streets of London
0:04:35 > 0:04:39than sweeping the streets of Kingston.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44So I think the thing of finding something to do that would be able
0:04:44 > 0:04:45to support a family.
0:04:48 > 0:04:54The Windrush set sail on 24th May with 492 passengers on board.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58They were cramped and uncomfortable but, above all, excited.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03The living conditions were troop decks.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07We were sleeping on the deck in a sleeping bag.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And luckily, the weather in the West Indies is normally good,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14it was reasonable.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16But we survived.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The main thing was to get to England.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Spirits remained high throughout the month-long journey,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24with passengers making their own entertainment.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Peter Dielhenn worked as a baker on board the ship.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34A lot of the passengers were all...didn't have much to do,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38so they used to really enjoy a drink and a sing and a dance
0:05:38 > 0:05:40and that sort of thing.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Some men were playing dominoes and cards, a bit of gambling,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46all to bide their time.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I never gambled because, as a Christian,
0:05:49 > 0:05:50you shouldn't go down that line.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54They didn't have much money. In the end, some didn't have any money.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Coming out they had to borrow it from their friends.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59There were no problems, it's all right.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01I enjoyed it.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02HE CHUCKLES
0:06:02 > 0:06:06The thing is, I mean, I can enjoy myself anywhere, any time.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14As the ship drew closer to docking, concern in Britain began to grow.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Newspapers questioned
0:06:16 > 0:06:20whether the country could cope with a sudden influx of immigrants.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Debates were held in Parliament.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26News soon reached those on board.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Just before we came up the Thames, when the West Indians got wind of...
0:06:31 > 0:06:35..what was going on, commentators were probably saying
0:06:35 > 0:06:38that the ship may be turned back.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41In the event, there were no obstacles to the ship,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45and on 22nd June, it was allowed to dock at Tilbury.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49'The Empire Windrush brings to Britain 500 Jamaicans,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52'citizens of the British Empire coming to the mother country
0:06:52 > 0:06:53'with good intent.'
0:06:53 > 0:06:55The West Indians who disembarked that day
0:06:55 > 0:06:57were at the start of a journey that would not only
0:06:57 > 0:07:01change their lives but British society as a whole.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Over the next few decades, more than 300,000 of their compatriots
0:07:07 > 0:07:11would follow those first Windrush passengers across the Atlantic.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15# Years ago in Britain people could not meet
0:07:15 > 0:07:18# A coloured person upon the street
0:07:18 > 0:07:22# English people were surprised to see an African
0:07:22 > 0:07:24# Or even a West Indian
0:07:24 > 0:07:27# It's not amazing again for anyone
0:07:27 > 0:07:31# Since this great invasion is on
0:07:31 > 0:07:33# With all the happy climates they're displeased
0:07:33 > 0:07:36# They're making race from the colonies. #
0:07:39 > 0:07:43But how have some of those earliest pioneers fared
0:07:43 > 0:07:46in the six and a half decades since their ship docked?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Alford moved to Leeds, where he had a long,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51successful engineering career, met an English girl
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and became a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Dorinda also married
0:08:00 > 0:08:03and is now a research fellow at Exeter University.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09Sam King went on to become the first black mayor of Southwark.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Today the three members of this very special historical club
0:08:12 > 0:08:15are reuniting at the Jamaica High Commission...
0:08:17 > 0:08:20..along with former Windrush crewman Peter.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Hello, sir.- Peter, it's nice to see you, man.- Yeah, and you.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29You almost look like when we were on the Windrush
0:08:29 > 0:08:32but your head is white and my head is white.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35How do you do? How do you do?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Hello, my brother!
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I haven't seen you for a long time. You're looking well.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42A very long time.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Although the others made the journey as adults,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Dorinda was just 18 months old when the ship set sail.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Hello, my dear!- How do you do?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53She has no memories of the voyage
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and is looking forward to finding out all about it from the men.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Pleased to meet you.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03I was on the Windrush and I remember a little girl, a little baby.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07I heard the little baby making noise.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11It's a bit unusual, but in those occasions there was a cry or
0:09:11 > 0:09:14a noise, going, "Argh, wah!"
0:09:14 > 0:09:16SHE LAUGHS Little thing like that.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19And do you think that little baby could have been me?
0:09:19 > 0:09:25Could be you because there was only another little child running around.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- My father has written a journal, a book.- Very good.- Yes.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I'm very, very keen to hear your memories.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37My father remembers that there was engine trouble in his journal.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- Yes. We went to Bermuda.- Yes. - We got there with engine trouble,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44so while they're doing the engine,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- we were able to land in Bermuda. - Yes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Practically every trip I was on the Empire Windrush,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54was probably eight times, there was a fire.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Oh!- So it was always catching fire.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00In fact, eventually the Empire Windrush
0:10:00 > 0:10:03sunk in the Mediterranean from the fire.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05So is it still down there?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- ALL:- Yes. - 1953.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12It's wonderful to think how all four of us
0:10:12 > 0:10:15might've passed each other on the ship
0:10:15 > 0:10:19and here we all are now, so many years later.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22And I'd very much like to ask you how life has treated you,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26whether coming to England has been everything you hoped for.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30The Right Honourable Creech Jones stood up in Parliament and said,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- "These people volunteered during the war..."- Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36"..and they'd fight for king and country.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38"They have got a British Passport.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42"Will you go to Tilbury or anywhere and stop them?"
0:10:42 > 0:10:44So we landed and it was a blessing.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45Yeah. Yeah, it was.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50In my case, I came back to England hoping that my children...
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- I didn't have a girlfriend, by the way.- No.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- ..would have a better chance in life than I did, and they did.- OK.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- I have eight kids.- Wow.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00THEY LAUGH
0:11:00 > 0:11:02I came over here with a five-year plan.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06But five years turned into 50-odd years.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I have no regrets. No regrets.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Coming up, a return to where it all began.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Feel very emotional coming back...
0:11:19 > 0:11:20..to Tilbury.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23And a special thanks from a special guest.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I really want to thank you all and just say,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I suppose it is because of you all why I am here now
0:11:30 > 0:11:31as the High Commissioner.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33THEY LAUGH
0:11:39 > 0:11:41MUSIC: Waterfalls by TLC
0:11:57 > 0:11:59THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD
0:11:59 > 0:12:03As the first baby-boomer president, Bill Clinton was very
0:12:03 > 0:12:06different to those immediately before him.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Let's put this country back on the right footing.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Not since JFK had there been such a charismatic,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16effortlessly cool politician in the White House.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Or on the stage.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23So, when a stalled Northern Ireland peace process needed a serious
0:12:23 > 0:12:28shot in the arm, he seemed just the man to fly over and save it.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32# Don't stop thinking about tomorrow
0:12:32 > 0:12:36# Don't stop, it'll soon be here... #
0:12:36 > 0:12:39On 30th November 1995,
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Air Force One landed just outside Belfast with the US
0:12:44 > 0:12:47President and First Lady on board.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51'At 9:20, Bill Clinton stepped into the history books
0:12:51 > 0:12:54'when he set foot on the airport apron
0:12:54 > 0:12:56'and became the first serving US President
0:12:56 > 0:12:58'to visit Northern Ireland.'
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Everyone seemed caught up in the preparations,
0:13:01 > 0:13:06including Carita Kerr, then the Mayoress of Londonderry.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09You just got more and more excited thinking about it
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and it was just absolutely phenomenal when it happened,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14when the day came.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26In a place well used to tight safety measures,
0:13:26 > 0:13:31security was taken to a whole new level by a Secret Service lock-down.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36So, when the President's motorcade made an impromptu stop
0:13:36 > 0:13:41in nationalist West Belfast, all were caught totally unawares.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Except local travel agent Gerry Hagan.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47His camcorder was rolling
0:13:47 > 0:13:51when he captured what would become a worldwide exclusive.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58When the limousine did come round and the President got out,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00I was running the camcorder.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Gerry Adams come out and walked over to the President
0:14:03 > 0:14:07and they shook hands.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09The handshake became global news,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13and Gerry Hagan's footage was soon broadcast all over the world.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15I'm glad I was there, I'm glad I took it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18If I hadn't have been there, the question would have been asked,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20"Did he shake hands or did he not?"
0:14:20 > 0:14:24# And I feel like I just got home
0:14:24 > 0:14:25# And I feel... #
0:14:25 > 0:14:29As the President widened his social circle, so did Mrs Clinton.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Hillary dropped in on a local women's group for a cuppa,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36a small and intimate gathering...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38if you didn't count all the photographers.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41When she arrived, it was just click-click-click-click-click,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43cos there were invited press there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46We stood up, probably rather noisily and clumsily,
0:14:46 > 0:14:47and she just come in,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49a wave of calm,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and told us all to sit down and just said,
0:14:52 > 0:14:53"I'm dying for a cup of tea."
0:14:53 > 0:14:56And that sort of calmed us all down because we could sit down
0:14:56 > 0:14:57and sort of compose ourselves.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02For Laura, the tea-time chat had a truly historic significance.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04After the tea was served
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and the First Lady started to ask some questions
0:15:07 > 0:15:10to engage in discussion around their experiences,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13their aspirations for the future,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15their aspirations for the peace process
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but very, very particularly, she was interested in their thoughts
0:15:18 > 0:15:21as mothers and hopes and dreams for the youth
0:15:21 > 0:15:24of Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28And I know that, for every one of you who sits here at the table
0:15:28 > 0:15:30with me, there are hundreds
0:15:30 > 0:15:34and thousands of other women who could be here as well.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38And I want to convey my personal appreciation to all of them.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44# If you believed they put a man on the moon... #
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Tea and biscuits finished, there was work to be done
0:15:47 > 0:15:48and speeches to be made.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52When the President visited a local factory,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56it fell to shop steward Ronnie Lewis to introduce him on stage.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I felt, first of all, am I capable of doing this?
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Everything goes through your head.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08But then the positive side of it kicks in.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's saying, "Right, this is something worthwhile doing.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12"I'm going to do it."
0:16:14 > 0:16:17I'd like to say good morning, Mr President
0:16:17 > 0:16:18and all distinguished guests.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22This is truly a great occasion for our economy, West Belfast
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and Northern Ireland in general.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I hope today that this will usher in a new era.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33The world's most powerful man rose to his feet to thank Ronnie
0:16:33 > 0:16:37but he was just glad his 15 minutes of fame were over.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42After the speech, the first person I met was one of my workmates,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and he said, "That was a terrible speech."
0:16:44 > 0:16:46I looked at him...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I was actually congratulating myself, I'd done all right, you know.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53And he said, "I'm only joking, it was dead on."
0:17:06 > 0:17:10The first leg of the tour was over but the visit wasn't.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12The Clintons' next stop was Derry.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16When the Presidential chopper touched down, the reception
0:17:16 > 0:17:18was - if anything - even bigger.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20CROWD CHEERS AND WHISTLES
0:17:20 > 0:17:23So big, the local dignitaries were caught by surprise.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29I didn't realise it was going to be the most astonishing day in my life.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30The most...
0:17:30 > 0:17:34amazing thing to happen in any small town.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The Clintons were to give a speech in the town's central square,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41where they were greeted like rock stars.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46The crowd just erupted and all you could hear was, "We want Bill!
0:17:46 > 0:17:47"We want Bill!"
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- THEY CHANT:- We want Bill. We want Bill. We want Bill.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And then, when he started speaking to us,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58it really went straight to the heart.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03Have the patience to work for a just and lasting peace.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Reach for it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10The further shore of that peace is within your reach.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Thank you.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13And God bless you all.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19They were enraptured. They were just...
0:18:19 > 0:18:21They just believed every word he said,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and it was the most wonderful moment in my life.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26It was absolutely terrific.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Nearly 20 years on, four people with special
0:18:34 > 0:18:37memories of the visit are meeting in Belfast city centre.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42The venue - the Europa, which, during the Troubles,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45had a reputation as the most bombed hotel in Europe.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49In 1995, the Clintons stayed here.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Hello.- Hello. How are you? - You're Gerry, is that right?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- I am indeed. And you are?- I'm Carita.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- I've heard all the names but we've never met one another.- Exactly.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- We're all pieces of the same jigsaw. - Exactly.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Carita has brought along a photograph of the memorable day.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10We had the great pleasure of being at the airport that morning
0:19:10 > 0:19:12to meet Clinton arriving.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15And what was it like? What was the emotions going through your mind?
0:19:15 > 0:19:20The doors opened and I looked at these two people standing.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23And I just grabbed my husband's arm and said,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26"John, this is the most powerful man in the world.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28"What are we going to do now?"
0:19:29 > 0:19:32For Ronnie, introducing the President on stage turned him
0:19:32 > 0:19:34into something of a global celebrity.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39It was amazing, the letters I got from around the world
0:19:39 > 0:19:40and the media interest,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43they wanted reviews for the Los Angeles Times
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and the New York Times.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48He even made it onto the Clintons' Christmas list.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52I didn't expect to receive any more word from them
0:19:52 > 0:19:54but I got a beautiful letter.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Personal letter from the President.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59And I also got this from the White House
0:19:59 > 0:20:00at Christmas...
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- It's just a wee...- Ah!
0:20:04 > 0:20:05That's gorgeous.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08The thing that I can say,
0:20:08 > 0:20:14on that day is that...just that the whole mood of the people,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16you could see that they were filled with hope,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and they were anticipating what was going to happen.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I got a sense that day that there would be a legacy.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25And of course, the Clintons continued to support obviously the peace
0:20:25 > 0:20:27process but the wider community.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And the rest is history.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Many people from Northern Ireland got to meet the President
0:20:32 > 0:20:37and First Lady that day, but one man got closer than most.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Martin Mulholland has worked at the Europa for 31 years.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46He was the concierge when Mr and Mrs Clinton checked in.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49There were only four members of staff who were given access to the
0:20:49 > 0:20:52presidential suite, and I was lucky enough to be one of those.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54And does the key still work?
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Of course it does. In fact, we could go and check it now if you wish.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Love to. Love to, yeah.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02The room has since been re-named The Clinton Suite
0:21:02 > 0:21:04in honour of the former guests.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Was there the big red phone in here at the time?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19The first thing I looked for when I came into the suite
0:21:19 > 0:21:20was the big red phone,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and there was a telephone right in the middle of the room
0:21:23 > 0:21:26with the presidential crest on it, but it was black.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- It was black?- It was black, yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Bliss.- I tell you what, that suits you.- Look at that.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35I'm not getting up.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Do you feel like a president?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- No. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:44 > 0:21:45Ooh.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Bill and Hillary Clinton.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48It was very special.
0:21:48 > 0:21:54Makes you reflect on what a change the Clintons had on this country.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I can say now I've slept in the same bed as President Clinton.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It brought back so many memories.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07It stirred up a lot of emotions and it feels like it was yesterday
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and I can't believe that it's coming up to 20 years.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14It was an absolutely gorgeous day and I loved every minute of it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19The Clintons' visit ended with the turning on of the Christmas lights.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24In the years that followed, they would return again and again.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Who knows, next time it might even be with Hillary as president.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29To the Clintons.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Cheers.- To the Clintons.- Clintons.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48When the Empire Windrush sailed into Tilbury docks
0:22:48 > 0:22:53on 22nd June 1948, it was a watershed moment
0:22:53 > 0:22:56in the history of modern Britain.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59'..sees the arrival of more than 400 happy Jamaicans.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01They've come to seek work in Britain
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and are ready and willing to do any kind
0:23:03 > 0:23:06of job that will help the motherland along the road to prosperity.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09The passengers were pioneers who paved the way for
0:23:09 > 0:23:12hundreds of thousands more West Indians to come here.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15From that day, the ethnic
0:23:15 > 0:23:18and cultural make-up of the country began to change.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Today, some of those on board
0:23:24 > 0:23:27have reunited at the Jamaican High Commission in London.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29BOTH: How do you do?
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- I'm Dorinda.- I'm Alford.- Hi, Alford.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34One was just 18 months old when she made the journey.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40The group settle down to watch footage of the ship's arrival
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and the passengers' first days in Britain.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46FOOTAGE VOICEOVER: 'For many of those now setting foot
0:23:46 > 0:23:48'on the mother country for the first time,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51'excitement was tinged with uncertainty.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54'While they looked for work, the government housed them in an old
0:23:54 > 0:23:57'air raid shelter, underneath Clapham Common, in South London.'
0:23:57 > 0:23:59It's the first time I've seen that footage.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03- Yeah, me too.- I've heard about this shelter but I'd never seen it.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08- Were there many people in a shelter like that?- No, 232, thereabouts.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Right.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13'The first stop for most of the men in the shelter was the nearest
0:24:13 > 0:24:15'labour exchange, Brixton.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19'But none of the new arrivals had difficulty finding work.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23'After suffering more than half a million casualties in the war,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25'Britain was desperate for labour.'
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Most Jamaicans left Jamaica to get a job.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Job is no problem, man,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- it's to find somewhere to live, and food is rationed.- Yes.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Many families were living in the people's relatives' front rooms.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Yes.- And it was hard for accommodation.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47I was very interested to see the shots of the men in the shelters.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49I didn't know where they were. I thought they were somehow
0:24:49 > 0:24:50in the hull of the ship.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Within a month, they were all out of the shelter
0:24:53 > 0:24:55and just lived round and about Brixton.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- And that's how Brixton became Afro-Caribbean.- Yes.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Today, more than half a million people in Britain class themselves
0:25:02 > 0:25:04as Black-Caribbean.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07For the Jamaican High Commissioner,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11those first arrivals on the Windrush helped play a crucial role
0:25:11 > 0:25:14in getting the country back on its feet in the 1940s.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17I understand the importance
0:25:17 > 0:25:18of the Windrush.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23I understand that because Jamaicans
0:25:23 > 0:25:28and other Caribbean people were invited to come to the UK.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Very, very important. I think that the growth and development
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- of Britain as we know it...- Oh, yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37..owes itself to a large
0:25:37 > 0:25:40part the contribution of the Windrush generation...
0:25:40 > 0:25:41Yeah, that's right.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43..so, you know, I really want to thank you all
0:25:43 > 0:25:47and just say, I suppose it is because of you all why
0:25:47 > 0:25:49I am here now as the High Commissioner.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51THEY LAUGH
0:25:52 > 0:25:55But there's only one place today's journey can end.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57That is the place where it all began...
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Tilbury Docks.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00The four are travelling downriver
0:26:00 > 0:26:03to where their ship docked all those years ago.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what it is like
0:26:09 > 0:26:11to what it was when we came.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I feel very emotional coming back...
0:26:15 > 0:26:17..to Tilbury.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18Things have changed immensely.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23The group are boarding a ferry that will bring them into the docks,
0:26:23 > 0:26:25just as the Windrush did.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Can you remember the first time you saw the shore?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Yes, it was very encouraging.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38And did you feel British as you came down, or did you not think about...?
0:26:38 > 0:26:42No, no, we're always British, man, because we were in the air forces.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46- I volunteered when I was 18.- Sure. So, as you came, you felt,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49"I am British, this is my homeland"?
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Yeah.- We would even be found with great pride.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Yes. Did you also feel that you belong?
0:26:55 > 0:26:56We're back where we belong.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Tilbury has altered much since the Windrush days.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Old docks have closed and huge new container terminals have opened.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09But some things don't change.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Look, there's the Union Jack over there.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- Used to fly over a quarter of the world...- Yes.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19..when I was a young man.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24When we came off, none of these buildings were anything.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Was all these colours here?- No.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32Remember England just after the war, everything was dull and grey.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35And we came and, by the grace of God,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37England and Britain has been re-built.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41The reunion has awakened memories in everyone.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45For Dorinda, it's filled in some crucial gaps about her
0:27:45 > 0:27:48arrival in Britain as a young child.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50The highlight of the whole experience has been
0:27:50 > 0:27:54being with the three guys and hearing their stories.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58I was very, very pleased to hear things about my family
0:27:58 > 0:28:00that they remembered.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02It's nice to stand here today
0:28:02 > 0:28:08and be thankful that everything has gone well with me and my family.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And according to information from the other people that are here,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14everything's gone well with them.
0:28:14 > 0:28:1667 years since the Windrush landed...
0:28:17 > 0:28:20..it's certainly become part of history,
0:28:20 > 0:28:25and to think that myself and others have made this journey back,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27it's quite fantastic.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31Arriving back at Tilbury, back on the boat,
0:28:31 > 0:28:36I felt that feeling that, yes, we were here and we came with hope.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38I'll remember this day for a very long time.