Around 500 people turned out to enjoy a day of Bangladeshi culture and food at the seventh annual Suffolk Pita Festival in Ipswich.
Organised by the Bangladeshi Support Centre (BSC), the cultural exhibition event was held at Suffolk New College from midday to 4pm on Sunday, with the country’s traditional delicacies available to sample.
The festival centres around a pita competition, with judges pouring over the South Asian sweet and savoury snacks.
There was also traditional food and jewellery stalls, henna art, children’s entertainment, and the BSC’s educational awards which recognises the achievements of those who have supported the centre.
Mohammed Allam, joint BSC manager, said: “It was fantastic. We were slightly concerned that with a few other events and an England game, that people wouldn’t show up but we didn’t need to worry.
“It was buzzing, around 500 people came along to enjoy the event. We had information stalls, charity fundraising stalls and of course the pita competition.”
Launched 20 years ago by volunteers, the BSC strives to support people in the Bangladeshi and other black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in Suffolk and engage them in social, cultural, educational and recreational activities.
Mr Allam said: “Everything we do is about bringing the community together.
“It’s about learning about other people’s culture and treating each other with respect to build a cohesive community.
“That underlines everything we do.”
The organisation provides a number of capacity building programmes for local communities, a resource and learning centre and key referral advice agency. The BSC also works closely with statutory and voluntary organisation partners on projects related to health, education, employment, housing, welfare rights and crime.
The centre runs a homework club for students aged 11-18 at Northgate High School in term time as well as a sports club at Northgate Sports Centre for children and families to take part in activities.
Mr Allam added: “A lot of violence that you see is mainly to do with young people, who have nowhere to go.
“One of the things we do is run clubs to support the young people and it’s about raising aspirations and educating them to do positive things in their community.”
For more information about the BSC, contact 01473 400081 or visit www.bscsuffolk.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here