Culture And Memory

From Factory to Faith: The Story of Guru Nanak Gurdwara & Sikhs in Leicester

We will uncover and preserve c.60 years of our local Gurdwara’s history, documenting Leicester’s Punjabi Sikh community heritage, who helped shape the temple and the city. From the earliest large-scale Sikh settlement in Leicester (c. 1946), to the establishment of the temple in 1969 (contemporary experiences), to the present day (future for the community). Project Goals: A) Collecting/archiving/sharing of oral histories and physical heritage items from ageing Gurdwara founders/staff & community members. B) Engagement of local younger stakeholders with heritage through training & volunteering opportunities, leading into participant-led heritage work. C) Heritage documentary, exhibition and website transforms heritage into appealing modern formats to enhance reach/accessibility, sharing this history with wider audiences. Legacy: British Punjabi Sikh life within Leicester better represented within local/national heritage; and preserved for future generations/historians. Appetite created for more heritage work – setting the foundation for further investigation/celebration in 2028 (60th anniversary).