Story by Alison Higgins | Photos by Frankie Currie, Laura Farah and John Mellor
Hundreds came together to enjoy the sun and entertainment at the second CommUnity festival, held around Ellesmere Green on Saturday 16th June.
Dozens of local shops and businesses supported the event, which aimed to promote the fact that Spital Hill is the ‘Gateway to Burngreave Business.’ Many visitors to the event were quite surprised to discover that there are over 120 businesses in the immediate vicinity of the Green, with everything from food stores to forklift trucks!
Ever popular MC, Rob Smith held the event together on the day, compering the stage performances and keeping everyone entertained in-between acts. As always, Basil Sage’s Romano Jilo dance group were highly entertaining, as were performers UNidentified and festival closer Ashlee Male’s hula hooping extravaganza.
Highlight of the day was undoubtedly the amazing Yemeni singer Aboud Khawaja who drew the largest crowds, accompanied by traditional dancers.
Local dignitaries were also in attendance, including all our local councillors, and MP Gill Furniss, along with Mayor Magid Magid who wished everyone a happy Eid and celebrated the diversity and strength to be found in Burngreave.
Active Burngreave ran sports and games for young people up at All Saints basketball court, and the Vestry Hall was home to the first showing of Steve Pool’s short film about the local businesses. It can be seen by visiting https://tinyurl.com/SHBus
Thanks are especially due to Gamal Abdulla and Fran Belbin whose hard work ensured that everything went so well.
