Trail will show Scots and Sikhs ‘intertwined’

18 September, 2008

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On Tuesday, September 30th, Scottish Minister for Culture, Linda Fabiani MSP, will host a reception at Edinburgh Castle to launch the Scottish Sikh Heritage Trail.

In the months ahead the trail will emerge through research projects on sites and objects and a series of lectures, exhibitions, and workshops.

It will highlight many connections between Scotland and the Sikh nation which have hitherto largely gone unheeded.

The launch is heralded as a reminder that both nations, known for their courage, tenacity, industry and intelligence, have been historically intertwined by way of colonial administrators, statesmen and military figures across a momentous period of history from the late 1700s to the present.

The organisers declare that “the illustrious and unique heritage that the Sikhs and Scotland share will come to life through this initiative. It is our aspiration that it will help to inform, empower and inspire individuals and the community at large to a greater appreciation of the history that unites them”.

On Saturday, September 13th, the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail (ASHT) launched this year’s Anglo Sikh Heritage Week.

The ASHT organisation is looking for volunteers to take its work forward. It wants to hear from people who can help develop a range of projects.

ASHT works to uncover, record and teach about the Anglo Sikh Heritage.

Volunteers are especially needed who can offer up to three days a week on website development and image research. This would be primarily at the ASHT office in Walsall in the West Midlands. But there is also a need for people who can undertake oral history interviews, support events and help with research in a variety of locations. Volunteers will benefit from training as they gain experience.

Further information can be obtained by calling 01922 721 504, emailing gsb@asht.info or visiting the ASHT website at www.asht.info

ASHT is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and has links with a variety of museums and heritage organisations including the Imperial War Museum, National Trust and Victoria and Albert Museum.

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You can also read ‘On the trail of the Sikh heritage’ on the BBC website