Swindon Mela 2003 

Soaking the sun at the Swindon Mela in Old Town Gardens...

Over five thousand people soaked up the sun and the atmosphere at the first Swindon Mela, which took place in Town Gardens on Saturday, 2nd August 2003.

Organised by Swindon Artscape and supported by the Arts Council, BBC Radio Swindon, the University of Bath in Swindon and Wiltshire Constabulary, the free event celebrated the richness and diversity of Asian culture and included a lively and exciting array of live music, food, dancing, fashion shows, stalls, a funfair and professional performances from 12noon to 6pm.

The whole event concluded with a live concert in the Old Town Bowl by award-winning Bhangra band, DCS, who enthralled a sell-out crowd with their unique combination of traditional Punjabi and Western rhythms.

 

"Mela means 'gathering'," said Celia Yeoman, one of the senior organisors of the event. "And this occasion has been a fantastic opportunity for the whole community to meet and celebrate Asian culture.

"The whole day has gone better than we could have ever expected," added co-organisor, Toby Rathbone.