THE town 'came together' to celebrate the Sikh new year at Warrington Guru Nanak Gurdwara yesterday, Sunday.

Residents from each section of the borough gathered for the event, known as Vaisakhi, in Latchford, on Dover Road.

Continuous reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the religion's holy book, commenced on Friday at 10.30am and concluded at around 11am on Sunday.

Gurdwara secretary Pritam Singh Tatla said: "Vaisakhi has a special meaning. It was on this day that the tenth and last guru – Guru Gobind Singh – organized the Sikhs into Khalsa or the 'pure ones'.

"By doing so, he eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings are equal."

Also in attendance were deputy council leader Cllr Mike Hannon, Mayor Cllr Geoff Settle, mayoress Jean, deputy mayor Cllr Faisal Rashid, Warrington South MP David Mowat, Cheshire Police chief constable Simon Byrne, as well as councillors Tony Higgins and Hans Mundry.


Cllr Rashid highlighted the importance of the event and hinted at a future celebration at the Town Hall.

He said: "These kind of occasions bring us all together but it is more than that, it is an opportunity to understand each other's cultures and religions.

"Every religion tells a good story. We are considering a Vaisakhi event at the Town Hall, which I think would go down very well."