THE town’s only Sikh temple has implemented weekly after-school classes and activities in a bid to get children more involved with the religion.

Volunteers from Warrington Guru Nanak Gurdwara, on Dover Road, Latchford, raised more than £5,000 at a 10k run in August to help kick-start the project, which now boasts 40 children and four parent volunteers.

Grants of £800 from Warrington Borough Council and £500 from Cheshire Police have been approved for the Gurdwara.

Sports equipment, including boxing bags and mats have took their place in the refurbished sports hall, while classrooms have been created.

Classes consist of Punjabi tutoring and an insight into the history of the religion, with children regularly given the opportunity to participate in practical tasks.

Sports activities vary each week but include basketball, dodgeball and football.
“The kids are the future and it is crucial to get them involved and know about the history of Sikhism,” said Gurdwara secretary Pritam Singh Tatla.

“But what we are trying to do is to make them enjoy learning about the culture by also ensuring they have activities to take part in – we don’t want it to feel like a chore for them.

“It is great to see all of the children, and even parents, getting involved with the educational classes and activities.”

The children were recently taken on a trip to Derby’s National Sikh Heritage Centre and Holocaust Museum – with more educational visits in the pipeline for next year.

“We strive to make the classes as practical as possible and include trips to make it a more children-friendly environment as it is key for them to want to learn and enjoy doing so,” added Mr Tatla.

The temple celebrated Diwali last month with a service and firework display, an evening in which David Mowat, MP for Warrington South, attended.