For the 10th year running Swindon will be hosting the prize-winning Swindon Mela – the southwest’s biggest free festival, celebrating the sights, sounds and tastes of the best that the Indian sub-continent has to offer.
The Swindon Mela has become a “must see” for “Swindonians” and for people joining us on the day from the Midlands, Gloucestershire, London - you name it – the Mela’s reputation as the “best in the West” attracts thousands of visitors on “Mela Day”.
Last year’s festival held in July saw record-breaking numbers of people enjoying the sunshine at this prize-winning family event, and this year’s Mela promises to be the best yet.
We are planning to bring to you music and dance, culture in abundance, arts and crafts, and famously, our foodstalls selling a huge variety of mouthwatering, regional dishes from the South of Asia. Why not visit our colourful stalls, selling everything from beautiful saris and jewellery to accessories, homeware and musical instruments. Try out a range of fun activities – learning to tie a turban, trying out your best Bollywood dance moves, or just chilling in our Health Zone? There is so much to do and see AND it’s great fun for young and the not so young alike!
The Mela contributes enormously towards the local economy - particularly small and medium sized businesses - as the Mela always attracts visitors who want to make a weekend of it by visiting our shops, bars, and restaurants and using our taxi and public transport services to get around. Large contracts are also awarded to local companies for goods and services provided at the Mela.
Equally, the Swindon Mela is committed to promoting community cohesion and working with local community organisations and groups.
That is why it is so important that we continue to run the Mela and why we desperately need your help to Save Our Mela.
Quite simply, we need the funding. Those who have given most generously in the past have had to tighten their belts along with everybody else and every year, our costs increase.
We are doing our best to raise funds but could do with a helping hand or two! We will be running a number of “taster” sessions to raise money for this fantastic event – curry evenings and mini Mela events for example. Watch this space for details……
If you have any fun ideas on how you can help us out with fund-raising, if you work for a large organisation who could help, if you run a business yourself or if you would like to make a donation, please get in touch.
To make a donation please send a cheque to the Company Secretay,Swindon Mela Ltd, C/O Voluntary Action Swindon, 1 John Street, Swindon, SN1 1RT. Cheques to be made payable to Swindon Mela Ltd.
Your help is very much appreciated. Please leave your email address so that we are able to contact you
And for information on getting involved, booking a stall, advertising in our programme or other opportunities please contact us at:
