Wokingham

Caribbean, Asian and African culture from the past and present will be celebrated in the Wokingham borough during October’s Black History Month.

Wokingham Borough Council’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum is marking the month with a series of events that will give people of all ages the chance to discover more about the cultural heritage of minority ethnic communities.

The fun will start on Saturday October 6 with AJ’s Calypso Tent in the Oakwood Centre in Headley Road, Woodley, where the two time and reigning Calypso Monarch of London Brown Sugar (a regular at the Notting Hill Carnival) will lead the entertainment. Brown Sugar will be joined by AJ’s all-star cast including Rev B, Sweetfoot and De Admiral. Admission will be £5 and Caribbean-style refreshments will be available. For more information contact The Oakwood Centre on (0118) 969 0356 or AJ’s Caribbean Scene on 07930 907354 or visit www.ajscaribbeanscene.com.

This will be followed by an exhibition in the Mall Gallery in Wokingham borough council’s Shute End offices that is to be launched on Wednesday October 10.

On Friday October 19, Wokingham borough council will host a question time session in the council offices in Shute End on the theme of Citizenship. The panel will be chaired by Jeffrey Hinds of the Black and Ethnic Minority Forum Wokingham and the panel will include criminal practice lawyer Adonis Daniels, Rajinder Sohpal from Reading Council for Racial Equality and Alexis White from the Commission for Racial Equality in London.

And, this year’s Black History Month will extend into November, when Woodley Baptist Church in Hurricane Way hosts a tasting and performance night to offer a chance for residents to really appreciate the flavours and sounds of different cultures. The entertainment will be provided by traditional Indian, Chinese and African dancers as well as a steel band and their will be Asian, African and Caribbean food to sample. The event is on November 17 from 7pm to 10pm and is free and open to all.

Executive member for Wokingham community development Cllr Dianne King said: “It is important that everybody realises these are inclusive, community events for everybody to enjoy. And I hope that many residents will take this opportunity to join in the celebrations and have some fun whilst at the same time learning about many different cultures.”

Wokingham Borough Council