31-JAN-07
The sights, sounds and tastes of Bolton’s rich cultural diversity were on
show this week, as the borough’s emerging communities were celebrated in
style.
The ‘Flavours of Bolton’ event, held at Starting Point on the Oldhams estate
on Wednesday, brought together multi-cultural food, arts, music and dance to
raise awareness of diversity.
Visitors, including local community groups, residents, and staff from Bolton
at Home and Bolton Community Homes, were treated to a variety of
entertaining performances and interactive workshops.
Noel Spencer MBE, Chair of Bolton at Home, said: “It is great to see a
cross-cultural event bringing people together from different backgrounds and
communities in such an enjoyable way.”
Children from Starting Point opened the event in song, before upbeat African
musical and dance performances from the Sudanese Women’s Gateway Group and
Britannia Rumba Band thrilled the audience.
Visitors sampled a wide variety of African and Asian inspired cuisine and
enjoyed Somalian and Sudanese cookery demonstrations, before trying their
hand at traditional African craft workshops.
The event also celebrated equality and diversity across the borough through
photographs and short stories. An exhibition of works featured the ‘Library
of Unwritten Books’, which captures ideas for books that everyday people
would like to write, along with accompanying portraits.
Daphne Powell, Chair of the Bolton Afro-Caribbean Elders Group, said: “This
is fantastic! It is great to see different community groups coming together
to share their experiences.”
Doris Howarth, Chair of Deepdale Residents Association, added: “Everybody
has thoroughly enjoyed the music and dance and it is great to sample such a
variety of foods.”
Flavours of Bolton was jointly organised by Bolton at Home, Bolton Community
Homes and the New Unity Centre.
