International fiesta opens up life on Langley

Date published: 04/11/2008

Newcomers were welcomed to Langley last week with an international festival of arts, crafts and sports.

Irish Jamaican and Kenyan were just a few of the nationalities represented in the two day event organised by Bowlee Park Housing.

African drumming attracted people to the Langley Children’s Centre, near Middleton, where residents could taste Indian bahjis, jerk chicken and curried lamb.

Inside, guests watched children perform energetic Irish ceilidhs in full costume whilst outside, Angolan international footballer David Dias inspired young hopefuls with professional football skills.

Sharon Thomas, Bowlee Park Housing’s community initiatives team leader, said: “We organised this event so that everyone in Langley could experience different cultures and get a chance to meet their neighbours. Behind our front doors, there are rich cultural heritages which we want people to share.”

Caribbean celebrity chef Mike Hylton showed residents how to cook easy recipes made from scratch, using fresh ingredients, herbs and spices. Mike cooked four traditional Jamaican dishes; Ackee salted fish, jerk chicken, curried goat or lamb and plantain with thyme.

He also made a smoothie called ‘Bolt Juice’ to encourage the sporty types, which he originally devised for Jamaican 100 and 200m gold-medalist runner, Usain Bolt.

Festivities aside, there was also practical support for people who have recently moved to Langley. Volunteers from Nestac in Rochdale provided advice on welfare benefits, job hunting and English courses and Moneyline offered financial tips to help people save money.

Sharon added: “The event was a great success- the quality of activities that different organisations contributed was very high and people enjoyed the chance to try something new.”