Organised by RotherFed (Rotherham Federation of Tenants & Residents), highlights of the event included the Shiloh Gospel Choir, Zubaidah Oriental Belly Dancers and Bhangra dancing with Nisha Lall from Aim to Dance and Create.

Face painting, henna hand painting and circus skills workshops were particularly popular with younger visitors, while free food including roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, cream teas and Chinese, African, Arabic and Indian snacks, were a hit with all ages.

Stalls hosted by members of Rotherham’s Tenants and Residents Associations gave people chance to find out how they could become more involved in their communities.

The Multicultural Open Day held at the Springwell Gardens Community Centre and Eastwood View Church, both on Eastwood View on Saturday (June 27) was designed to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Rotherham.

Steve Ruffle, RotherFed’s Development Manager, said: “The event was a huge success and with everything from tai chi workshops to Chinese painting, Balkan music to jewellery making, there was certainly something for everyone to enjoy.

“The Multicultural Open Day was about bringing people from across the Borough together in a celebration of the diversity of our various Rotherham communities. Its success was largely due to a group of volunteers who worked extremely hard to organise the event and ensure its smooth running on the day.”
The event was officially opened by Rotherham’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Rose McNeely. Cllr Mahroof Hussain also spoke on behalf of ‘Rotherham – one town, one community’.

Rotherfed – which represents 32 Tenants and Residents Associations across the Borough – received funding to organise the Multicultural Open Day from the National Lottery Awards for All. A further £200 donation was received from Bramall Construction Ltd.

The event also marked RotherFed’s recent move to the Springwell Gardens Community Centre which was designed to take the organisation out into the heart of the local communities it serves.