MEMBERS of Basingstoke’s Afro-Caribbean community have been championing the achievements of black people in the UK.

On Sunday, 8 October, the Basingstoke African Caribbean Catholic Association (BACCA), in collaboration with the Basingstoke Multicultural Forum (BMF), commemorated black history with an event at St Bede’s Church, Popley.

Highlights of the event included an exhibition of black inventors, a variety of African and Caribbean foods, as well as performances by an Afro-Caribbean choir.

The event was attended by the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Paul Frankum and the mayoress, Cllr Jane Frankum.

Cllr Paul Frankum said: “Basingstoke has experienced significant growth over the last decade, both economically and culturally.

“Today we have more than one hundred languages spoken across the various communities that call Basingstoke home, and we are all enriched by this wealth of diverse ethnicities and cultures.

“This has helped Basingstoke and Deane to become a great place for all live and thrive.”

The exhibition of black inventors will continue at Basingstoke Discovery Centre until the end of December.

Toju Ogbe, spokesperson for BMF said: “It’s important for us to recognise and uphold the legacy of black achievers in Great Britain, and Black History Month offers us a one month window of opportunity to do this.

“We are heartened by the support from other communities that came to celebrate with us; it is a true reflection of the spirit of friendship, which defines people of Basingstoke.”

The event formed part of Black History Month in the UK, which is a period set aside to celebrate and recognise the achievements of people of African and Caribbean origin, and the role they have played in the history of Great Britain.

It is celebrated annually in the UK throughout the month of October.

To find out more about the work of the BMF in the community, go to bmforum.org.uk.