Black History Month Wokingham Question Time
Citizenship, gun crime and the role of the family and parental discipline were just some of the hot topics debated at the Black History Month Question Time held by Wokingham Borough Council last Friday, October 19.
The council chamber in Shute End, Wokingham, was packed for the event, which was part of Wokingham Borough’s celebration of Black History Month and the audience raised a range of interesting issues with the panel. The lively debate included topics such as how to avoid demonising young people, the relevance of citizenship tests, drug and gun crime, the importance of the family and the right of Commonwealth soldiers to automatic citizenship. There was even a question on England’s Rugby World Cup final with South Africa.
The session was opened by leader of the council Cllr Frank Browne, who spoke on the aims and importance of Black History Month in the Wokingham borough.
Wokingham Cllr Browne said: “Black History Month is a great chance for Wokingham borough to celebrate its diversity and to increase understanding and appreciation of different cultures. The Question Time provided an excellent opportunity for some serious issues to be debated.”
The panel for the sessions comprised Adonis Daniel, criminal litigation advocate, Alexis Wright from the Commission for Racial Equality, Chief Inspector Tony Ismay from Wokingham Local Police Authority, Rajinder Sohpal from Reading Council for Racial Equality, Pastor Joel Thomas from the Church of God Worldwide Mission and Jeff Hinds from Wokingham Black and Minority Ethnic Forum, who was chairman. Also speaking was Reading magistrate Eve North MBE who has worked closely with the Citizenship Foundation.
Friday night also saw the opening of a Black History Month display in the Mall Gallery in Shute End, Wokingham, that features photographs from previous Black History Month events and an exhibition highlighting black and minority ethnic people’s contribution to scientific developments and inventions.
This year’s Black History Month is a partnership between Wokingham Borough Council, the Black and Minority Ethnic Forum and the African Caribbean Society of Wokingham and is being extended for a Taster and Performance Evening at Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way, Woodley on Saturday November 17. The free event will give borough residents the chance to sample food from the Caribbean, Asia and Africa whilst getting into the rhythm of world music. It will run from 7pm until 10.30pm.
Wokingham Borough Council social inclusion officer Ashwani Gupta said: “The Question Time was a great success – it was standing room only and the standard of debate was very high. I am sure the Taster and Performance evening will also prove very popular and will be a fun way to round off Black History Month. There is no need to book for this event – just turn up on the night.”
The council chamber in Shute End, Wokingham, was packed for the event, which was part of Wokingham Borough’s celebration of Black History Month and the audience raised a range of interesting issues with the panel. The lively debate included topics such as how to avoid demonising young people, the relevance of citizenship tests, drug and gun crime, the importance of the family and the right of Commonwealth soldiers to automatic citizenship. There was even a question on England’s Rugby World Cup final with South Africa.
The session was opened by leader of the council Cllr Frank Browne, who spoke on the aims and importance of Black History Month in the Wokingham borough.
Wokingham Cllr Browne said: “Black History Month is a great chance for Wokingham borough to celebrate its diversity and to increase understanding and appreciation of different cultures. The Question Time provided an excellent opportunity for some serious issues to be debated.”
The panel for the sessions comprised Adonis Daniel, criminal litigation advocate, Alexis Wright from the Commission for Racial Equality, Chief Inspector Tony Ismay from Wokingham Local Police Authority, Rajinder Sohpal from Reading Council for Racial Equality, Pastor Joel Thomas from the Church of God Worldwide Mission and Jeff Hinds from Wokingham Black and Minority Ethnic Forum, who was chairman. Also speaking was Reading magistrate Eve North MBE who has worked closely with the Citizenship Foundation.
Friday night also saw the opening of a Black History Month display in the Mall Gallery in Shute End, Wokingham, that features photographs from previous Black History Month events and an exhibition highlighting black and minority ethnic people’s contribution to scientific developments and inventions.
This year’s Black History Month is a partnership between Wokingham Borough Council, the Black and Minority Ethnic Forum and the African Caribbean Society of Wokingham and is being extended for a Taster and Performance Evening at Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way, Woodley on Saturday November 17. The free event will give borough residents the chance to sample food from the Caribbean, Asia and Africa whilst getting into the rhythm of world music. It will run from 7pm until 10.30pm.
Wokingham Borough Council social inclusion officer Ashwani Gupta said: “The Question Time was a great success – it was standing room only and the standard of debate was very high. I am sure the Taster and Performance evening will also prove very popular and will be a fun way to round off Black History Month. There is no need to book for this event – just turn up on the night.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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