Blackpool Sixth held a major community event on Saturday 14th January which was attended by a number of important dignitaries including the Bishop of Blackburn, the High Sheriff of Lancashire and the Consul General of India. The event, supported by Big Lottery funds, was jointly organised by Blackpool Sixth and The Fylde Coast Hindu Society.




The event featured presentations on the theme of community cohesion and the development of greater understanding and tolerance in society. There was an entertainment programme including a programme of Indian classical dance and a dance performance from Blackpool Sixth students. Guests also included Councillor Maria Kirkland, Cabinet Member for Third Sector Engagement and Development, Blackpool Council and Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys. Blackpool Sixth music teacher, Ashley Goodinson spoke about the recent #BeTheMiracle song project which brought the community together through music.
In all, over two hundred people attended this unique celebration of diversity and togetherness for the community of the Fylde Coast. Jon McLeod, Head of Admissions, Liaison and Marketing at Blackpool Sixth, commented, “We are delighted to have organised this event in partnership with the Fylde Coast Hindu society. We teach our students the importance of working together to create a strong and inclusive community and this is an ideal way of celebrating those aims.”
Ashok Khandelwal Chair of the Fylde coast Hindu Society said, “I am pleased with this unique collaboration with the sixth form supported by the Big Lottery. We are having a celebratory approach to recognise the good in all human beings and improve community cooperation for the greater good of society.’’
“I am delighted that the event started with lighting of the oil lamp. Light symbolises knowledge which removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. The traditional oil lamp has a spiritual significance for Hindus. The oil symbolises our negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge our negativity gets exhausted and the ego too finally perishes.”