Lottery cash for study of Huddersfield Asian community

Nov 24 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

They will discover how they learned to cope with the language, the food, the environment, modes of dress, and even the British weather – things that today’s generation of young people sometimes take for granted.

It is hoped that the project will also help older people to understand the challenges young people face.

About 20 young volunteers aged between 13 and 25 will interview older members of the Pakistani community, and carry out research with support from Huddersfield’s Tolson Museum.

Fiona Spiers, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “This project will enable a group of young people to shine a light on the past, to gain a valuable insight into their community’s history and development.”

Mumtaz Ali, of the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance, said: “It will be crucial in recording the history of the first south Asian arrivals to Huddersfield.

“Unfortunately due to most of this group being very elderly this story will soon be lost as will the lesson which young people can learn from.”