Celebrating with the Robin Hood of the Punjab and all his friends!

A FESTIVAL showcasing the best of Indian culture brought food, entertainment and crafts to the city.

The Lohri festival at Windmill Community Gardens in Bobbers Mill saw families celebrating a culture from more than 4,500 miles away.

Lohri is a traditional North Indian festival which celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of seed-sowing season.

It also celebrates the life of Dulla Bhatti, the Robin Hood of the Punjab – a legendary Muslim Rajpoot from the Punjab region who led a rebellion against emperor Akbar.

And Punjabi families playing drums and serving traditional food were joined by other people from across the community to dance, sow seeds and meet each other.

Tracey Lloyd, from charity Groundwork, who helped organise the event, said: "It's basically a huge festival they have – it's kind of their solstice.

"Now is the time they have it and they are starting to sow seeds because their weather is a bit better.

"The Robin Hood element gives it a nice local link. It's great to know that all places have their own version of Robin Hood.

"I'm really pleased with how it's gone – we weren't sure how many people would come but we're really pleased.

"It's bringing the community together and the Punjabi community have embraced it."

Steven Caswell, who is originally from India, said the event was fantastic.

The 64-year-old from Beeston added: "It's not something widely celebrated, but it's cultural not religious so everyone can celebrate.

"It's about showing other families what it's all about. There are lots of Punjabis here and we want to integrate."

Joyce Killowe, 51, from Sherwood, said: "I think it's been very good and there's all different cultures.

"It's all about community cohesion and networking and everyone meeting each other."

The event, organised by Groundwork, ran on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm at Windmill Community Gardens in Bobbers Mill and featured dhol drummers and punjabi snacks.

Mohammed Saghir, city councillor for Leen Valley, said: "It's a community sort of thing – it's working and everybody is getting involved."

Jo Bradley, executive director of Groundwork, said: "At Groundwork we celebrate the rich diversity of cultures within Nottingham and Lohri is a special festival for us all."

The Windmill Community Garden in Ascot Road is run entirely by volunteers with the aid of Groundwork Nottingham.