THE different communities of the borough came together for the second Ethnic Reception in a carnival of colour and music.


The event, hosted by Warrington and District Arts Council, saw the former Mayor of Warrington Clr Peter Carey welcomed people from the 22 different ethnic groups who live and work in Warrington.


The theme was A Taste of Warrington: Many Peoples, One Town and saw traditional British elements including the Thelwall Morris Men, Pipe Major Donald Mackenzie of Longbarn perform alongside Meera Maharaj of Grappenhall who is studying the flute at the Royal Northern College of Music.


Local ethnic art was showcased by Filipino, Polish and Nigerian dancers and songs from Slovakian soprano Zuzana Tomasikova of Great Sankey and Hungarian Gyopar Parvai of Latchford.


In his speech the Mayor said bringing all the different people of the town together was a major priority and he hoped that next year’s reception would be even bigger.


Clr Tony Higgins, who made cream teas with his own fair hands, said no other town in the country is doing this sort of thing and the Arts Council is now the major cultural force in Warrington.