THE spotlight was put on black achievement at an annual Basingstoke celebration.

The event, which is held yearly as part of Black History Month, also acted as the launch of the new Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends organisation, which replaces the North Hampshire Caribbean and African Network.

Held at Popley Fields Community Centre, in Carpenters Down, Popley, the celebration attracted more than double the amount of people as last year, with more than 100 people attending.

The evening was a celebration of African and Caribbean culture, with the Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra and singer Rhoda Morson providing the entertainment.

Three local ladies – Grace Powell, who is the chairperson of Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends, Jean Holmes-Morris and Millie Hylton – also performed a play, ‘Days Gone By’ about memories of first coming to the UK.

Paul Hamilton, former chairman of the North Hampshire Caribbean and African Network and a member of Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends, said the new organisation would focus more exclusively on Basingstoke.

He said: “It is an organisation which celebrates the culture and history of African and Caribbean people in Basingstoke and which offers networking opportunities.

“It is also a consultative body for police, health and education bodies. We want to alleviate discrimination and promote equality.”

He said of the event: “It was a wonderful evening – there was lots to do for everyone. There was a children’s competition, Jamaican food, a quiz, and a domino tournament. It was very multi-cultural and a very uplifting and positive event.”