logo
Bradford Mela returns but with a commercial twist

Bradford Mela returns but with a commercial twist

BBC News19-07-2025
Fatima Patel has very fond memories of the original two-day Bradford Mela, which ended back in 2012.The occasion, which reportedly attracted crowds of up to 100,000, meant so much to her that she has now brought back the famous event albeit as a commercial, rather than council, gathering.Peel Park is the setting for the Bradford Food and Lifestyle Mela on Saturday and Sunday, with thousands expected to take part in the celebration of South Asian culture.The free-to-enter event will feature a mix of music, food, fashion and other events.
Ms Patel, 49, said: "We started off doing what was called the Curry Mela. We were trying to showcase the best of South Asian cuisine. "And it was at those events that people said, 'the mela, that word means a lot us. Can you not bring that back?'"I was like 'we'd love to' because even I remember it and I used to love it. "But it used to be on a huge scale, huge budgets used to go into it."We didn't have those kind of budgets but we thought we'll attempt it, but in our version." Bradford's first major mela took place in 1988 and is widely regarded as being the first of its type in Europe.Staged on fields near Bradford University, the two-day celebration moved to Lister Park before going to Peel Park - but was cancelled in 2012 due to bad weather. From 2013 the event was reduced to a single day and moved to Bradford City Park, where it was absorbed into the Bradford Festival.
This weekend's mela includes performances by Apache Indian, girl group Girls Like You as well as Bhangra stalwarts B21.There will also be cookery demonstrations and a fun fair plus a host of stalls.Heaton ward councillor Mohammed Amran, who also chairs the Bradford West Area Committee, helped get approval for the event to take place in the council-run green space.He said: "It brings communities together and it puts the park on the map. The park itself is one of the best in Europe."It's so good that we can bring communities from different faiths, different religions, different organisations and different cultures together to celebrate on a weekend."This ensures that the park is well used but also recognises that mela brings people together."
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lady Starmer deserves better than putting up with ‘banter' from Donald Trump
Lady Starmer deserves better than putting up with ‘banter' from Donald Trump

The Independent

time18 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Lady Starmer deserves better than putting up with ‘banter' from Donald Trump

We are all Victoria Starmer. No, really – ask any woman if she's had to fix a smile on her face and grin through gritted teeth while an older man makes 'lols' and instigates 'banter' about our appearance or demeanour. Then ask her if she eye-rolled, silently, the moment she turned away. Shocked? You really shouldn't be – though you might not have seen it. We never let on, you see. We titter and giggle and do all the things you have to do simply to get through the ordeal so they'll leave you alone – an exaggerated wink, a rib-nudge, an elbow pat, a waggling eyebrow Barbara Windsor would be proud of; Carry On, Mr President, perhaps. But us women see you, Lady Starmer. We feel your pain. We see you making a rare public appearance, being trotted out like a secret weapon off the back of a US-EU deal on trade, ahead of a talk on Gaza; we see you being brought up by the US president in an impromptu press conference in the same breath as he lols about whiskey; as he is almost drowned out on his Scottish golf course steps by some rogue bagpipes: 'Whisky? Well, we'll talk about that. I didn't know whisky was a problem. I'm not a big whisky drinker, but maybe I should be one of them. Maybe I'll have some whisky today…' We see you, doing your level best not to look openly confused by the 'last person at the bar, let me tell you my life story'-style rhetoric while smiling at the cameras alongside your husband, Keir Starmer. Stoically and majestically ignoring Trump's word salad segue from whiskey to 'making the prime minister happy' – by way of you, poor love. For this is where 'first lady as plot device' really came into fruition (though the other first lady, Melania Trump, was notable in her absence): 'We want to make the prime minister happy,' Trump said, grasping Lady Starmer's arm (and they always do. At some point, they always do). 'We want to make, by the way, your first lady, I would say first lady. She's, she's a respected person all over the United States! 'I don't know what he's doing, but she's very respected – as respected as him! I don't want to say more. I'll get myself in trouble. But she's married. She's a great woman and very highly respected.' Oh, Donald… pray, keep your word and don't say more. Do anything but say more! Because we've heard it all before, really, we have. We've all been in encounters with men like this – the ones who joke about getting themselves into trouble; the ones who sometimes veer from calling you a 'great woman' to a 'naughty girl'. It is usually, at this point, that we try to edge away – physically – from the old lech with a twinkle in his eye. And The Donald is no stranger to accusations of lechery (and worse) – for not only is the president under pressure to release all files relating to the Epstein case, which he has so far refused to do despite a 2024 election promise; but in May 2023, a jury in New York found him liable for the sexual abuse of writer E Jean Carroll. The court ruled Trump more likely than not sexually abused Ms Carroll and awarded her $2 million (£1.6 million), while he was also accused of sexual assault by two other women. If that wasn't enough, there were the infamous 'grab em by the p***y' comments in the Access Hollywood tape from the set of Days of Our Lives in 2005, when he was recorded talking about groping women and how 'you can do anything' when you're a 'star' (then, in a statement issued on his behalf, blamed it on "locker room banter"). Or, any one of his many other controversies which belie his attitude to women, such as calling a former Miss Universe "fat" and claiming he would date his daughter Ivanka if she were not related to him; and the comments he made right before the US election in 2024 to refute historic sexual assault allegations by the businesswoman Jessica Leeds, in which he said it 'couldn't have happened' because she 'would not have been the chosen one'. Women usually have a signal we give each other when we are in the orbit of men like this; we mouth things like 'handsy' to each other or make a 'vomit' shape with our fingers and warn our friends to be careful not to stand too close. 'Girl code' serves us well when dealing with older men with bad reputations, particularly when they are powerful and entitled. It's usually enough, thankfully, to make any woman give them a wide berth at a party – or press conference. Of course, even when in the company of someone like Trump, Lady Starmer was a consummate professional. We shouldn't be remotely surprised – after all, she was a lawyer who now works in the NHS as an occupational health worker. She must have experienced her fair share of tiresome old men. And when Trump went on to say Starmer has a "perfect wife", espousing: "I respect him much more today than I did before, because I just met his wife and family. He's got a perfect wife and that's never easy to achieve, right?" (to which, the prime minister replied: "I take no credit for that') she simply smiled and laughed and acted every inch the good sport, like women have done – and will continue to do – for time immemorial; because it's easier, because it's polite, because we are tired. All I (and perhaps she?) really wanted to do, however, is pretend to throw up.

Gogglebox stars reveal they've been AXED from show after three years saying ‘C4 didn't ask us back'
Gogglebox stars reveal they've been AXED from show after three years saying ‘C4 didn't ask us back'

The Sun

time19 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Gogglebox stars reveal they've been AXED from show after three years saying ‘C4 didn't ask us back'

A GOGGLEBOX duo have been axed from the hit series after three years on-screen. The Scotland -based pair, who signed up for the hit Channel 4 show back in 2022, gave their take on the nation's telly from their stunning seaside home. 5 5 5 Yet Roisin Kelly, 26, and Joe Kyle, 28, who moved in together at the beginning of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, have revealed they'll no longer be on screen. Roisin posted a lengthy statement to her social media page, describing their Gogglebox stint as "so mad" while admitting they were "grateful." She wrote: "After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa Channel 4 have decided it's time for Joe and I to stretch our legs and have not asked us back for season 26. "Therefore we are leaving the Gogglebox family. "We couldn't be more grateful to Studio Lambert for the opportunity, the experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights!" She added: "It's been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don't actually need subtitles." Roisin and boyfriend Joe, who were the first Scots to appear on the much-loved hit for over six years, added: "We have made friends for life and after filming every week for years you have become like our family! "We could not have asked for better people to work with and we will miss you immensely. "It for sure has been a once in a lifetime opportunity." The pair, who vanished in the first episode of the 2023 season, wrapped with the words: "Time to watch TV in silence for a bit and put down the popcorn." Roisin worlds away from Gogglebox sofa in incredible glam-up OFF SCREEN Roisin has built up an army of loyal social media followers for her fashion hacks away from Gogglebox fame. The office worker previously told how she wears slippers as outerwear as well as dazzling in a see-through outfit. She then told how she was flogging her garments on Vinted following a number of ASOS hauls. Away from Gogglebox, Roisin has also hosted a podcast titled Nags and Brags. Celebrity Gogglebox 2024: The lineup These are the celebrity pairings that are taking part in the special for Stand Up To Cancer. Josh Widdicombe and Stephen Merchant David Baddiel and Frank Skinner Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Saskia Reeves Miriam Margolyes and Lesley Joseph Jordan Pickford and Tony Bellew Meanwhile, just last year, we told how her parked car had been written off after it was smashed by another vehicle. Roisin showed photos of her car rammed into a tree after the terrifying accident. The Glasgow based star then accused the other driver of faking a heart attack as an excuse. Snaps revealed her smashed up motor surrounded by glass and debris after another car slammed into the back of it. 5 5

Michelle Keegan shares glamorous behind-the-scenes snaps from filming mystery project after jetting to Paris
Michelle Keegan shares glamorous behind-the-scenes snaps from filming mystery project after jetting to Paris

Daily Mail​

time19 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Michelle Keegan shares glamorous behind-the-scenes snaps from filming mystery project after jetting to Paris

She spent the weekend filming a mystery project in Paris. And Michelle Keegan shared some snippets from her lavish trip to her Instagram account on Monday night as she filmed a mystery project in the French capital. The actress, 38, shared one snap with her glam team including her makeup artist and hairstylist as she sat being pampered in a white dressing gown. She then posted a short video of what looked like the shoot she had been getting ready for as she posed in a pair of dark sunglasses. She sported a bouncy blow dry and perfectly applied makeup while accessorising with statement gold earrings. Other images saw her wandering around the picturesque streets of Paris, enjoying meals out and hiding from the rain on set during a downpour. She posted a short video of what looked like the shoot she had been getting ready for as she posed in a pair of dark sunglasses The day before Michelle cut a stylish figure in a chic navy jumpsuit as she joked about working hard while lounging on a bench in Paris. The Coronation Street star, who is reported to have a combined net worth of £20 million with her husband Mark Wright, also 38, smiled as her friend filmed her lying down in the middle of the French capital. Playing Donna Summer's 1983 hit She Works Hard for the Money over the top of the clip the actress was laughed in the snap after realising she was being filmed. She accessorised her look with a black belt, oversized sunglasses and pair of burgundy heels. The star was spending time in the city working and reposted several glimpses into her trip, originally shared by her makeup artist friend Emmy Clarkson. The pair posed up a storm in a stately home in one snap before sharing glimpses of their lavish meal at Le Square Trousseau. Described as a bistro with 'old world charm', the restaurant has been praised on TripAdvisor for serving 'superb' French cuisine. Michelle also appeared to indulge in a tipple or two as she enjoyed some time free of mum duties after welcoming her daughter Palma with Mark in March. The Coronation Street star, who is reported to have a combined net worth of £20 million with her husband Mark Wright, also 38, smiled as her friend filmed her lying down in the middle of the French capital Michelle's Instagram post comes hot on the heels of her return to work after welcoming daughter Palma in March. She recently jetted off to Bulgaria for her latest acting project, sharing behind-the-scenes snaps from a film set abroad. Since becoming a mum, Michelle has been living it up with luxury holidays, red carpet appearances and a major new deal with Sky, all while flaunting her enviable post-baby figure in skimpy swimwear from her fashion range. Michelle posed for a slew of smiley snaps with her crew mates last week, during filming in Bulgaria for a secret new project. The actress looked like she was having the time of her life in a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps giving her fans a glimpse of her mystery job with Sky. It was recently revealed the mother-of-one has signed a six-figure advertising deal to become the new face of the media company Sky. And Michelle looked to be laughing all the way to the bank as she larked about on the set with her hairstylist, makeup artist, talent agency and fashion stylist during breaks from filming. She could be seen sitting with the crew in a line of black director's chairs, which were labelled - confirming the project to be a collaboration between Sky Creative and B2Y Productions. Michelle captioned the photos: 'Bulgaria files… with the best of the best ✨'. The deal will reportedly see Michelle film a series of promo clips with fellow British actor Idris Elba, who already appears as the 'face' of Sky. She welcomed baby Palma in March of this year with her husband the former TOWIE star Mark Wright. It's believed the couple chose the name Palma because of their strong links to the Spanish island of Mallorca, which has been their go-to holiday destination for years and the setting for their pregnancy reveal photo shoot. Michelle found fame as Tina McIntyre on Coronation Street in 2007, before leaving the ITV soap in 2014. Her career then took off, with hits such as BBC military drama Our Girl, Sky's Brassic and BBC's Australian drama Ten Pound Poms. While her biggest success came last year, when she scored the starring role of Maya Stern in Netflix's Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once - which racked up more than 100 million views globally.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store