Dudley unites in face of far right protests

Community leaders have bid to reflect a positive view on life in Dudley with an event to bring different people together.

The Dudley commUNITY event was bathed in sunshine on Saturday attracting generations of families into the town.

And it aimed to banish the clouds which had gathered after three far right protests paraded in Dudley.

Groups including the English Defence League have paraded in Dudley this year against plans for a new mosque to be built.

But the visitors have caused disruption and drew wide-spread condemnation from traders whose takings were hit and council and police paying off to keep the peace.

Instead of hundreds of police officers, steel security fencing and boarded up shops, it was all smiles in the town.

Hundreds of people from across the borough came together to celebrate the community event at the weekend.

Dudley Council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, said that it was important as an event to mark a public declaration of the town's unity.

"The people of this borough are warm, welcoming and rightly proud of who they are and where they come from," he said.

"Although our backgrounds may differ, we share many of the same core values, and it's that tolerance and cohesiveness which makes me proud to live and work in this borough."

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, opened the festivities before speeches from other dignitaries including West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, head of Dudley Market Traders Len Lenihan, Dudley North MP Ian Austin, representatives from Dudley Interfaith Network, Reverend Andrew Wickens, and faith leader Imam Hashmi.

Schoolchildren Sebastian Milli and Fasiha Hashmi also made speeches as events were held in Stone Street square.

Events included live music, dance, and drumming performances which were complemented by craft stalls, information stands, fun fair rides, face painting, stilt walkers, jugglers and mascots from the mayor's charity More Mascots Please.

Mr Jamieson said: "Dudley is a great town that has had many un-welcome visitors recently.

"Instead of having the town in the press for protests, I am pleased that the vibrant and diverse communities of Dudley will be in the media for a positive show of unity like this. The people of Dudley are warm, tolerant and decent. Events like CommUNITY Day have proved that."

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, hailed the event a success.

"We were pleased with how the event went. It shows how well the community can come together," he said.

Schools, community groups, businesses and faith groups all took part.

However the event had drawn criticism from UKIP group members who had branded it a 'waste of money'.