The first ever Oldham wide, festival to celebrate diversity took place between 23-29 August 2003. Diverse events were held by community and public sector groups in a number of wards.  All events were hugely successful and provided people with the opportunity to experience aspects of different cultures they may not have been familiar with.

The response from the people of Oldham to the idea of Diversity Week was fantastic. A lot of people volunteered their time to put in a great deal of effort to help make them a success. The different activities opened people’s eye’s to aspects of different people’s cultures that they might not have had the chance to experience before, and was an opportunity for a lot of learning and also a lot of fun.

The Asian Music Workshop at Age Concern proved to be one of the most positive, and made a real impact with the older people and staff at the day care centre. People enjoyed a performance of traditional Asian music and song, and proceeded to join in.

Over 100 people from the Hathershaw and Fitton Hill areas and beyond turned up to take part in traditional Celeidh ‘barn dancing’ and Indian Garba dances. The emphasis really was on taking part as almost all those present gave the different dances try. By the end of the evening people from the different communities were mixing comfortably.