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Night celebrates community's finest
IT was a night of glitz and glamour as South Tyneside's Bangladeshi community turned out in force to celebrate the cream of its crop.
The Bangla Achievement Awards were set up to recognise talent and outstanding contributions throughout the borough's black and minority ethnic (BME) community.
Now in their second year, the Awards are going from strength to strength, with more than 50 nominations received and two new categories introduced.
Hosted by Colin Bourdiec, of the South Tyneside Academy of Musical Performance (Stamp), the awards ceremony was held at South Shields Town Hall.
The audience included the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Coun John and Chris Anglin, Coun Iain Malcolm, the leader of South Tyneside Council, and Mohammed Erfan, chairman of the South Tyneside Bangladeshi community.
The awards, organised by the Gazette and Bangla Awaz and sponsored by Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco) and the council, were created by Lalon Amin, secretary of Bangla Awaz, a community group set up to raise awareness and understanding of Bangladeshi culture.
Mr Amin wanted an award structure in place to highlight exceptional achievements within the BME community.
He said: "We have so many talented people and it's nice to see their efforts being recognised.
"The fact that we continue to receive so many nominations goes to show just how important people feel this event is.
"It's vital that people from this area of the community feel very much a part of it.
"By holding annual events like this, we are achieving what we set out to do.
"It has been a huge success and we're all very proud."
"I'd like to say a huge 'thank you' to the Gazette and our sponsors for again making this night possible."
Gazette editor John Szymanski praised the achievements of those involved in the BME community.
He said: "These awards celebrate all that is best within the BME community in South Tyneside.
"Their contributions would otherwise go unrewarded and this event will help rectify that and help bring achievements to a wider audience, in turn inspiring others to do the same.
"As the editor of the Shields Gazette – and a judge in these awards – I know that the BME community has much to be proud of."
Entertainment was provided by two young singers from the borough, Eve Simpson, 10, and 15-year-old Michael Mather, who said it was an honour to have been asked.
He said: "It's been a great night and I'm proud to have been asked to perform at such an event.
"To experience cultures coming together like this is just fantastic and I've really enjoyed it this evening."
The Mayor, Coun Anglin, said the night helps to bring the community together, adding: "This is a fantastic night.
"Through groups like Bangla Awaz, we can enhance our links with Bangladeshi residents and encourage all members to aim for success."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
