The Preston City Mela is an annual festival celebrating the rich diversity of Preston. This magnificent event is focussed on the arts and culture of the city’s South East Asian population, but is enjoyed by all Prestonpans.
A mela is an Asian term for a fair where everyone, family and friends from all parts of the city come together to enjoy the day and a number of special events. The Preston City Mela is filled with music, dance, arts and craft, along with excellent food. Around 2,000 people attended the mela despite the unpredictable weather in the UK.
It is also an occasion where many of the city’s community groups come together. This year, Preston Masons were invited to take a space in one of the community marquees, an invitation quickly accepted. A small team spent the day at the festival along with our friends from Freemasonry for Women. We shared stories of how we support charitable causes including the great work that Teddies for Loving Care do at the Emergency Department in Royal Preston Hospital. It was also an opportunity to talk about our history and plans for the future within our community.
That small team also went home with supplies of the excellent food on offer to complete the day. It was a great joy further integrating with our local community.
