East West celebration

A concert was held on Saturday afternoon which brought together the local Malayalee community and the congregation in a special Anglo-Indian celebration.

Following a welcome delivered by Father David King, the concert began with a traditional Kerala friendship dance and solo performances by Gwendoline Elias and Anil Mathew. Other highlights included a jazz recital on piano by Oliver Jago, dancing by Imogen, Emily and Abigal Constable, and East West Fusion Dance by Nias and Anandi.

Father Mathew Punnoose, from a Malayalee church based in London, also visited Bexhill to take part and said this blending of cultures had never happened in this way before.

The event was organised by Elizabeth McNeice helped by Shuba Ktrodis, and Ussha and Sunny Koshy.

Elizabeth commented: "This is a historic moment. It is the first time anything like this has happened in this country, where we have joined together and shared in this way. To the Malayalee this is a piece of history...they have been part of us for such a long time but no-one said come and join us and we will share our cultures together - until now."

She felt the concert had been a great success and added: "Everyone went away on a high...it was really worthwhile.

"Their priest - Father Mathew Punnoose - told us this was the first time this had happened in the whole of the country, and for him it was a very momentous occasion.

"The concert was splendid - it was a real success. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a mix of cultures and we really enjoyed it - the song by the Children's Choir captivated everybody, they were only little tots, and it was really lovely.

"We also had the two girls dancing in lovely traditional dress - they were so beautiful and so graceful.

"It was a full church and we had a crowd in the hall afterwards and we went out on the lawns...the communities mixing together, which was so nice."