Family fun day brings communities together

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Sir Tony Lloyd MP and local councillors

Scores of residents enjoyed a jam-packed family fun day at Lenny Barn playing fields in Rochdale on Sunday 1 August.

Families enjoyed a talent show, dancing, football, cricket, face painting, table tennis and a drumming circle. There was also a free barbeque.

Various organisations had stalls at the event, including MIND, the fire service, police, Your Trust, Answer Cancer, Edo Diaspora UK, Hope Savers Foundation, Let's Talk, The Riverine In Diaspora, Wonderfully Made Woman, Widow Empowerment Trust, RCCG Churches In Rochdale and Awakening Minds.

The family fun day was the first-ever outdoor family event organised by Rochdale's Nigerian Community Association, staged in partnership with the Rochdale AFC Community Trust.

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Sir Tony Lloyd MP, and local councillors.

Mary Adekugbe, chair of the Nigerian Community Association said: "One of our aims is to bring Rochdale people together and to celebrate and enjoy the different cultures and traditions that exist throughout the town.

“It was a great day and I was really pleased to see so many people enjoying themselves. I'd also like to thank Rochdale Football Community Trust for helping us stage such a successful day."

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Aasim Rashid said: "It's always a great pleasure to attend grass-roots community events like these; it shows Rochdale off at its best.

“There are hundreds of people just like Mary Adekubgbe and her super team who work incredibly hard in bringing together people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths. They make Rochdale a much nicer, kinder and richer town.”

Councillor Iram Faisal said: "It was wonderful to see so many local organisations coming together to support this fantastic community event. It made the day so special. Mary Adekugbe is a tireless community champion who worked so hard to pull it all together."

As part of the day, Spotland and Falinge councillor Faisal Rana presented awards to members of the Nigerian Community Association in recognition of their outstanding voluntary work.

Councillor Rana said: "This fantastic group do a great job not only promoting good community relations, but they also do such a lot in supporting the local community.

“They work incredibly hard in running a food bank and lots of other activities supporting needy families. A lot of people rely on the valuable assistance they provide."