'Celebrate'
Cultural Diversity of Brandon Project

An open letter from Jo Wilson:

"Dear Friend

"I would like to invite you to take part in the "Celebrate" the cultural diversity of Brandon Project.

"Brandon Communities Partnership has been provided with funding by the Local Heritage Initiative Scheme to "Celebrate" the cultural diversity of the Town. I have been employed by them to co-ordinate the project and I will be looking for your support alongside the Partnership, other agencies, historians and the local people to pull together as a community to expose the rich variety of races and cultures of Brandon and the surrounding villages, historically to present day.

"As far back as the Vikings and Romans we have had races and cultures pass through and settle in the Town. This century alone we have had the Punjab in Elveden, Polish and Ukraine's after the war, White, Black, African and native Americans, Irish, West Indians, Asians, Ugandans, Londoners and of late Portuguese to name but a few.

"I am no stranger to Brandon and have many fond memories of my childhood throughout infant, junior and Breckland schools. Due to the support, encouragement and acceptance of the community growing up in the Town was a positive experience for me. It instilled in me the importance of respecting the beliefs of others and accommodating to change.

"To many of us our school days are the earliest memories we have of experiences which made a significant mark on our lives. We have decided to focus the main project of celebration around Breckland School. The plan is to interview, record orally and visually the experiences of past and present pupils and in so doing getting an insight into the personal lives, attitudes, influences and lifestyles of the time. Also to be recorded is the opening of the "Time Capsule".

Other ideas from the community include;