On the 22nd June 2010 the Sant Nirankari Mission West Midlands Branch hosted a spectacular event at its local Centre, being celebrated as, “Be Proud of Wednesbury.” This event had been organised by Sandwell Partnership which is a fundamental part of the Local Authority and over 700 people attended the occasion. The event was widely advertised across the community in the Print Media, Radio and on display units in prominent places across the area.

Over 40 Exhibitors from across the borough displayed their stands providing information about their respective areas of work including Housing Groups, the Fire Service, the Police and Probation Services, those dealing with Children and Young People, Skills and Economic Regeneration, West Bromwich Albion Football Club, to name a few.

The evening was opened by the Lead Councillor for the event Councillor Geoffrey Jess Lewis who provided some background to the initiative and that 5 similar events were being held across the borough and that in Wednesbury it was being held at the Sant Nirankari Bhawan. A poem was recited by Brendan Hawthorn a local man of Wednesbury after which young children from the Local Albert Pritchard School sang various inspiring songs. Gary Bowen the Director of Sandwell Partnership went on to provide a state of Wednesbury Report which introduced people to a variety of statistics concerning educational performance of youngsters, crime statistics, etc.. to conclude this session John Allen and inspiring community worker of Wednesbury also spoke of his work in the local area considering the War Memorial, Art Gallery Museum.

The next session was called Face the People were an opportunity was given to talk to Directors and Key Decision Makers of the Council and make them accountable in respect of failing areas of their work and to receive suggestions from the Community. This lead into a performance by Nirankari Devotees who sang the message of the Satguru Baba Ji and the all stars Dancers also performed for the people in attendance. To end this session the WM Fire Service gave a live fire demonstration in the grounds of the Bhawan Car Park to inform people how one should respond to a fire emergency situation.

In the last session some members of the Shadow Youth Cabinet where introduced who gave insights into their work and poetry performances led to the conclusion. The Mission was awarded recognition in the forum for its environmental work connecting to the annual Big Spring Clean.

In all, this was a historic event in engaging the community of Sandwell and very well attended giving a message that the Mission is working to create brotherhood and cohesion within the local population. The work of the Mission was appreciated by all attendees who said that whenever they come to the centre they enjoy a warm, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere which is rare to find.

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