Ipswich Sikh community host Golden Jubilee celebrations

The Sikh community had organised a procession through the town on Saturday to mark 50 years since when the first gurdwara was opened in the Suffolk town. 

The Guru Nanak Gurdwara was first opened in Bramford Road in 1974. 

It is named after Guru Nanak, who is considered to be the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. 

This procession went through the town centre (Image: Guru Nanak Gurdwara)

The commemorate this milestone, the Sikh community held a three-day event that began on Friday with reading the holy scriptures - the Guru Granth Sahib.

The celebration concluded on Sunday with a procession from Gurdwara through the town and then up to the Mansion at Christchurch Park.

Thousands attended this event, including deputy mayor Lynne Mortimer and Leader of Ipswich Borough Council Neil McDonald.

They were able to carry out this event with the support of Ipswich Borough Council, Palmers Traffic Management Team and Ipswich Buses.

At the park, there were free food stalls, talks on Sikhism, a Martial Arts display and a fair.

The organisers of the procession said: "On behalf of the Sikh Community in Ipswich, we would like to thank the people of Ipswich for their support and messages of well wishes.

"We have been inundated with beautiful messages from the local people of Ipswich and it gives us great pride to be involved in such a diverse Town.

"Sikhs have been in Ipswich since 1948 and have contributed to the Town over the years by opening various shops, supporting local industries and providing accommodation."

The organisers also collected £1,001 at the event to give to East Anglia's Children's Hospices.