LAST Saturday, once again we celebrated the fourth “Spirit of Bolton” community event in Victoria Square.

This event was led by the Bolton Interfaith Council and very ably supported by Bolton Christian Community Cohesion, Bolton Council of Mosques, Bolton Hindu Forum, Bolton Council, Bolton at Home, Bolton Solidarity Community and many others who came together to celebrate the diversity in our town.

Apart from this annual event, we also work with schools, community groups and many others to promote better understanding of faiths, as well as the importance of community cohesion in our multicultural society.

On the day, there were many community organisations promoting the good work they do, many cultural activities and, of course, various mixes of stage programmes from our different communities and groups.

The main objective of bringing various communities and groups together is to cement the friendships, promote awareness of one another’s cultural values through music, dance and activities. Working together in partnerships is the way forward for us.

Even if one was an outsider, one could not do any other than to admire the effort of so many people helping to manage the event, but much more to participate with joy and happiness.

That joy was wonderfully illustrated by the performances of children from St Matthew’s School in Little Lever, Brandwood school, Krishna Temple, Veda Mandir Gujarati School, Interfaith Young Ambassadors and many others who inspired us all.

Apart from the children, there were more than 50 volunteers who had given up their Saturday to be part of the event. That in itself is credit to the good people of our town. Outside the marquee the elegant Swaminarayan bag pipe band and the Horwich Prize medal Morris Men entertained and supported the African Famine appeal, which raised £583 on the day. That is fantastic for a very worthy cause.

On behalf of Bolton Interfaith Council and our partners, I wish to pass on my gratitude to all those good people and organisations who supported our event which reflects the Positive Spirit of Bolton.

Thank you all so much.

Chan Parmar Bolton Interfaith Council