Celebrating cultures

8:50am Sunday 20th July 2008

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A HEREFORD church has thrown a party to celebrate the city's growing mix of nationalities.

Community figures in the Venns Lane area have been getting to know their new neighbours.

They've started a multicultural forum - and honorary Herefordians, from Poland to the Philippines, enjoyed the opening party.

More than 250 people attended the inauguration and launch party at St Francis Xavier's Church and school.

Highlights included traditional singing and dancing from various nationalities, while ethnic foods were also offered.

Father Michael Evans, who inaugurated the forum, said the event was a celebration of unity in diversity.

"Over the last four or five years we've seen this parish become a lot more multicultural," he said.

"I think we've set a good example for other parishes by showing them how these people have been welcomed into a community."

The Forum, which also includes members from the recently-formed Hereford Malayalee Association, aims to meet regularly.

More cultural events are planned, including a harvest celebration in the coming months.