The Basingstoke Multicultural Forum (BMF) celebrated its annual Language Day at Chute House on Thursday, March 16, to promote the awareness, importance and contribution of linguistic and cultural diversity in society.

Various local language schools, students, parents, and a number of members from more than 75 different community groups in Basingstoke participated.

Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Paul Miller, mayoress Sandra Miller, councillors, Simon Minas-Bound and Andy McCormick attended the event and presented awards to schools and students for continuing to enrich local communities with supplementary language skills.

READ MORE: St Mowden Park in Basingstoke named commercial development of the year

The students showcased their skills with musical performances and some wonderful speeches.

Multi-lingual himself, Cllr Miller drew on his rich personal experiences of being stationed around the world during his service to the country, to impress the importance of linguistic skills to the enthusiastic audience.  

The chair of the BMF, Shibaji Shrestha opened the event by re-iterating BMF’s mission to provide a platform for celebrating every community and culture that go into enriching the wonderful fabric of British society.