Trowbridge Cultural Festival of food is run each year by West Wilts Multi Faith Forum.
The event brings together local communities to share food and culture, to provide activities for children and a day of local celebration. The events have a wider aim of strengthening community cohesion and reducing levels of hate crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
The event in 2019 was held at Longfield Community Centre and attracted food stalls from countries around the world including Poland, Wales, India, Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan and others. Stall holders, many in national dress and with cultural artefacts on display, offered tasting plates of dishes from their countries, including sweet and savoury, vegetarian and meat-based options.
Games and activities for young people were provided by Active Trowbridge along with a henna artist and face painter and music was provided by local musicians.
The event was well attended by local people and was also supported by local groups and organisations including local councillors, the Police, the Fire and Rescue service and housing associations.
The total cost of the project was £1,514 which included the costs of hall hire, public liability insurance, food hygiene training, ingredients, children’s entertainment and marketing.
Selwood Housing provided funding of £200 to pay for children’s entertainment on the day.
The benefits for Selwood Housing in supporting this initiative were multiple, including:
- Meeting the key aims of our Stronger Communities Fund in bringing communities together, tackling poverty and disadvantage, strengthening community cohesion, supporting young people and providing education and learning opportunities.
- Strengthening our links and networks with the BAME communities in West Wiltshire
- Supporting activities in a deprived area where residents may lack access to cultural offerings or find then unaffordable
- Providing stimulating activities for young people
- Strengthening partnership working and engagement with other groups and organisations in the town
- Identifying opportunities for future collaboration.
