Crewe Hosts VIP Birthday Bangladesh Bash

High profile political figures will be supporting the Bangladeshi community this Sunday, during what promises to be a feast of delights.

Traditional Bangladesh dancing, food and hospitality will welcome around 300 guests to the Victoria Centre on West Street in Crewe, between 11am and 6pm.

The colourful event will celebrate the achievements of the Crewe Bangladesh Welfare Association (CBWA) during its first year in existence.

The VIP list includes:

• Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action)
• MP for Crewe and Nantwich, Ed Timpson
• Rt Hon Sajjad Karim MEP
• Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Margaret Simon.

Councillor Margaret Simon, Mayor of Cheshire East, who will be giving a speech at the event, said: “The achievements of the Bangladeshi community in Crewe is a wonderful example of successful cultural integration.

“The association has helped the Bangladesh community to tap into the many resources that Cheshire East Council has to offer, such as adult learning in areas like ICT, which ultimately leads to better job prospects and a more active participation in the wider community.”

Claire Wilson, Community Development Manager at Cheshire East Council, commented: “One of the biggest challenges within the community is getting women involved in events and activities. We hope that by engaging with the group they will have improved job opportunities and develop other new interests and activities.

“Children and Young People are also a priority in terms of the Bangladesh community and positive engagement will ensure that we build future cohesive communities. ”

Councillor Brian Silvester, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I spoke at the launch of the Welfare Association last year and I am delighted that it has become an annual event. The Association does a lot of good work locally and the Council continues to work closely with them




“The Bangladeshi people are incredibly hospitable with so much warmth and energy to offer.”


The Bangladesh Community

Crewe is home to around 500 Bangladeshi people who settled here fifty years ago and are now third generation.

The community has its own Mosque in Walthall Street, Crewe, and is currently in the process of obtaining new premises in Electricity Street.

Many of the community’s high profile political figures will be attending, such as Councillor Abdul Jabbar, who is former mayor of Oldham (2004/5);

Members of the Polish, Iraq, Turkish and Ethnic Black community have also been invited.

To capture the event, Bangla TV will be filming for coverage on several Sky stations.