Spotlight on Diversity - 14 March 2008

"What a great night", "What superb costumes", "What wonderful colour", "How great to see so many cultures all enjoying themselves together".  These are just a few of the comments from the first ever Diversity Ball in Milton Keynes which was held at the MK Dons Stadium on Friday 14th March.  

Hosted by the MK Racial Equalities Council and Campbell Park Parish Council the Ball was staged to recognise the diversity of Milton Keynes.  It started as the brainchild of Navrita Atwal of the MKREC and Tom and Isabella Fraser of Campbell Park.  They thought "let's have a small affair of around 200 people to celebrate the fact that in the new city of Milton Keynes there are so many different faiths and cultures living and working together".

But the idea of a small affair exploded.  There was so much enthusiasm for the idea of a Diversity event that almost 600 people packed into the stadium ballroom.  They were treated to a spectacle of fantastic costumes, from China, Japan, and Catalan, Scotland and to dancing from Ireland, Malaysia, India, and to food which reflected various cultural tastes.  

Because it was a first, no-one knew quite what to expect but it was a huge success.  As Navrita said "everyone came wanting to have a great time and no-one was disappointed.  The only disappointment was that it had to end because there was a match on Saturday!".

Already the organisers are talking about next year or, as Bill Dawson, the Parish Manager said "they will be when they have recovered from the huge task of organising this one.  The Diversity Ball will become one of the highlights of the Milton Keynes social calendar.  Our main worry will be to find a venue big enough".  

Guests included the High Commissioner of Kenya, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, the Mayor of Milton Keynes and so many people from all walks in MK.