Celebrating equality and diversity on the Isle of Wight

Chinese New Year

Equals IW Friendship Group first open event of the new year on Saturday 25th January was held in the Breeze at the Island Harbour. Group members shared in a meal to celebrate the Lunar New Year with wider family members. Great food, laughter and happiness made the evening very enjoyable for all.

The 2020 Lunar New Year fell on January 25th and ended on February 11th 2021 with a public holiday lasting from January 24th to 30th. The peak times for celebration were the New Year's Eve on January 24th and New Year's Day on January 25th. The New Year Calendar, as it is commonly known, started on New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival on February 8th 2020.

The next Equals IW committee meeting is to take place

  • Tuesday 11th February, 18.30 to 20.30
  • Hare Hounds Pub (Robin Hill)

Agenda on request to the Equals IW Secretary.

The Equals AGM will be held on Saturday 14th March 2020.

Planning for the 2020 Mardi Gras Carnival event held in Ryde has started. Equals IW has been looking at the options being considered for the carnival theme.

First Choice

A theme based on the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival has been selected as the Equals IW first choice as it fits well with our organisation. The team enjoys the dance and music associated with this theme. Equals IW is exploring an idea with a Steel Pan Band through group members' London connections.

We would develop multi-coloured costumes that symbolise Trinidad and Tobago. Glittery, colourful and decorated with feathers and sequins including the colours of the National Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.

As part of the costumes we would create shoulder head-wear backpacks. Each backpack would have an interchangeable face disk to enable future use with a different theme. The interchangeable discs could show the wildlife of rain-forests, oceans, Caribbean wildlife and birds.

Recruitment of Team Members will open in January 2020.

Pageant

The Isle of Wight Beauty Pageant multicultural charity event took place recently in the lovely setting of the Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton Bridge.

This yearly event was created by the Asian Group IW and the evening commenced with National Customs before showcasing an amazing range of National Costumes.

The evening continued with a lovely buffet meal, speeches, judging and the crowning of the winners.

As part of the aim to support equality and diversity on the Isle of Wight, Equals offers friendship groups for women and men of ethnic backgrounds.

For a real cultural diversity experience have a look at the current programme of events then come and join our women's group.

The group provides a welcoming place to women of both minority and majority ethnic background. Come and make new friends, get advice and find support. You can take part in fun activities and maybe participate in some training. The ladies of the groups have taken part in

  • Carnivals and arts parade
  • The Kite Festival
  • Cultural and Diversity Events
  • Art and Craft fun Activities
  • Information Technology Training
  • Food Hygiene Training
  • Cooking Courses at the Isle of Wight College
  • Culture Kitchen
  • Back to Work Training
  • Private Swimming Sessions

Our men's group is currently starting up with meetings in Newport.

So why not pop along to one of our groups and see what we are up to, we would love to meet you.

To find out more please contact Equals.

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