Hyndburn Mela

Gayle · 08-07-2005, 13:47

Hyndburn Mela and Community Festival

Sunday August 7th, 2005, 1pm - 7pm

Oakhill Park, Accrington

Organisers of the Hyndburn Mela and Community Festival are able to announce some of the fantastic live bands that will be appearing on the music stage throughout the Festival event on August 7th.

Headliners Dr Zeus, who perform at the Blackburn Mela this weekend, will perform in the late afternoon but until then there will be a variety of music styles guaranteed to find something for everyone. Names include; Silinder Pardesi, who also appear on the Blackburn line up; a Bob Marley tribute band and local bands . And it’s all going to be held together by the beautiful Tamsin Lucia Khan who will be compering the event.

Dr Zeus are a midlands based band who are recognised as being one of the up and coming bhangra bands of the moment. Their latest album, The Original Edit, currently features on BBCs Asian Network top playlist.

Silinder Pardesi started his singing career at a very young age, singing in Sikh temples and being influenced by his idol Mohd. Since winning the Asian Song Contest in 1986, Pardesi has been an important part of the bhangra music scene in the UK. Pardesi has won numerous awards throughout his career and has even been honoured by the Indian High Commissioner for the UK.

Last year over 5,000 people were attracted to Oakhill Park – and this year organisers hope to see an even bigger crowd.

The main organisers of the Hyndburn Festival are Hyndburn Borough Council, Mid Pennine Arts, and Lancashire Youth and Community service.

Other activities going on in the park include

· Arts and Craft activities for all the family

· Clowns and jugglers

· Fairground rides

· Face and henna painting

· Multicultural catering stalls.

· Table football event

Tealeaf · 08-07-2005, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

Hyndburn Mela and Community Festival

Sunday August 7th, 2005, 1pm - 7pm
Oakhill Park, Accrington

The main organisers of the Hyndburn Festival are Hyndburn Borough Council, Mid Pennine Arts, and Lancashire Youth and Community service.

Gayle,

Are you seriously telling us that it is taking the resources of all of the above to organise what is no more than a few bongo drums, a curry stall and some general tomfoolery in the park?

Can you tell us how much this is going to cost,and can you also tell us how this compares with the amount of public funding for the recent carnival?

Doug · 08-07-2005, 14:25

I’m sorry Tealeaf I think that a bit strong, You shouldn't keep having a go at Gayle. You will be asking her if there’s funding for a multicultural dress making stall next.

Gayle · 08-07-2005, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Gayle,

Are you seriously telling us that it is taking the resources of all of the above to organise what is no more than a few bongo drums, a curry stall and some general tomfoolery in the park?

Can you tell us how much this is going to cost,and can you also tell us how this compares with the amount of public funding for the recent carnival?

It's a committee made up of members from each of those organisations. Have you ever been to a Mela because if you had you would know that it is more than a few bongo drums, a curry stall and some general tomfoolery.

It's six hours of entertainment, live music, clowns, craft workshops, aromatherapy healing, fun fair and a lot more. And it is absolutely free.

Total cost to organise is between £11,000 and £17,000, and that all goes towards the activities - none of the organisers profit, neither do the organisations they work for. The money comes from external funding sources.

Over 5,000 people went to last year's event.

Tealeaf · 08-07-2005, 15:24

[QUOTE=Doug, You shouldn't keep having a go at Gayle. .[/QUOTE]

I'm not having a go at Gayle. She's the one who is always having a go at me. My questiion was simply how much was this was going to cost the taxpayer (or,as Gayle calls the taxpayer, "external funding"),as compared to the cost of the carnival. She's not answered it. How much did the tax payer contribute to the carnival?

The fact that most of what is on offer at this mele is utter rubbish is another matter.

Margaret Pilkington · 08-07-2005, 15:28

It doesn't float my boat either, but it will give the youngsters something to occupy themselves with...so it can't all be bad.

KIPAX · 08-07-2005, 15:35

Last years Mela pics here : http://kipax.fotopic.net/c253297.html

Doug · 08-07-2005, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I'm not having a go at Gayle. She's the one who is always having a go at me. My questiion was simply how much was this was going to cost the taxpayer (or,as Gayle calls the taxpayer, "external funding"),as compared to the cost of the carnival. She's not answered it. How much did the tax payer contribute to the carnival?

The fact that most of what is on offer at this mele is utter rubbish is another matter.

I was being ferocious Tea. I like Gayle, but I would also be inclined to question the amounts spent on Multicultural events as apposed to the fact that funding for good old white Anglo-Saxon (Celtic in my case) is seemingly non existent. If I have offended anyone with the Bomb making quip I would apologise but only for my bad taste in my timing.

Doug · 08-07-2005, 15:51

OK I’ve looked at the photos, I was talking out of my a*** as usual. I apologise unreservedly, However, why should a fun day out for the kids be spoilt by stall holders profiting from regional funding by selling cheep clothes. I hope they have paid for a licence to trade? Maybe those nice people over the channel could come and sell some of there nice T-shirts

Tealeaf · 08-07-2005, 15:55

I've just hd a look at Kipax's pictures....this mele stuff is even worse than I thought.

cashman · 08-07-2005, 15:56

not my bag at all kipax, but looked quite a good day out for the younger end,so that can't be bad.

Doug · 08-07-2005, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

It doesn't float my boat either, but it will give the youngsters something to occupy themselves with...so it can't all be bad.

Tealeaf, having just looked at the photos again (thanks KIPAX), maybe we’re at fault here, maybe we’re getting old and hadn’t really noticed.

Gayle · 08-07-2005, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I'm not having a go at Gayle. She's the one who is always having a go at me. My questiion was simply how much was this was going to cost the taxpayer (or,as Gayle calls the taxpayer, "external funding"),as compared to the cost of the carnival. She's not answered it. How much did the tax payer contribute to the carnival?

The fact that most of what is on offer at this mele is utter rubbish is another matter.

When have I ever had a go at you? External funders in this instance means lottery sources.

Gayle · 08-07-2005, 16:41

In general when the words multi cultural are used, people seem to assume that it's being organised solely for the local asian population. That is a load of tosh - multi cultural is exactly what it says and the event is being organised for ALL members of the Hyndburn community. We get a good mix of the population there, white-asian, old-young, families-couples etc. Everyone gets on and has a party together - what better thing can there be for local race relations.

If you don't like what's on offer then ok you can refuse to come but don't dismiss it as tosh simply because it is not to your liking.

Gayle · 08-07-2005, 16:43

Oh, and another thing - please don't dismiss it as tosh if you're not even prepared to come along and experience it. If you haven't been there then what sort of knowledge base are you talking from?