Bradford Hope not hate held their second Family fun day event in the City Centre last Saturday. This event that is becoming an annual occasion, was attended by people and communities from right across the City.
Bradford is often singled out as being a place with problems, especially in relation to integration. But Saturday showed that there exists a real willingness from people of all back-grounds to come together and to celebrate the best of the City that we all love and call home.
Recent new-comers to the City such as our Rohingyan community came and enjoyed Syrian food and Irish soda bread. One of them commented that if you eat your way carefully across Bradford, you can taste the world.
The event itself is about free food from groups across the City, entertainment from Bradford performers and activities for children. It is an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to meet different people, to enjoy their culture and to celebrate together what we have in common.
The Police Cyber Team ran a busy stall whilst many people especially youngsters wanted to see the Fire Engine and other blue light vehicles. Bradford Children’s Services ran activities in their marquee that were a fantastic attraction for the children and they were busy all day as were the Play Team with their impressive array of inflatables.
It was particularly heartening to see people from the outer estates such as Buttershaw, represented by the fantastic Sandale Community Centre, Eccleshil, Wilsden and elsewhere. Pride of place though must surely go to the young dancers who came down from the Queensbury Partnership. Their energy, enthusiasm and skill provided the colour and vitality for the event that everyone enjoyed.
It was also important to have a performance in honour of the Windrush generation and they will return to the City Centre this coming Saturday. Bradford’s School of Rock and Music also play a very important role; they do the sound for the event but far more importantly are the young Bradfordian musicians, many from deprived back grounds or in some cases with learning or other disabilities, that they encourage and teach and whose performances are so important to bringing people together.
Many old friends such as Asylum support group BIASAN and White Ribbon continue to provide vital support as do the Trade Union UNISON. We are also grateful to local MP’s Judith Cummins and Imran Hussain who opened the event alongside Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe.
Hope not hate Bradford are determined to carry on playing a role in highlighting what is good in our City, we know as well as anyone that there is work to be done, but we believe that events such as Saturday’s show that the people of Bradford regardless of their colour or creed will take the opportunity to come together and celebrate.
We are already planning next year’s events but we have a busy timetable of community based events right across the City, reaching out and engaging to be getting on with in the meantime.
To get involved email Paul Meszaros at [email protected]
