BCVA managed to broker a meeting with partner organisation Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) and Apna Heritage Archive particpant Piara Hayre to share his amazing journey of migration and working life as one of Wolverhampton first Indian shopkeepers. The purpose on this occasion was to be able to mark both the Queen’s Jubilee and as a prelude to recognising the Punjabi communties impact in the region in the post war era. The ‘Forging Ahead’ project which will establish the current new building programme that shows the region’s heritage from the 1950-1970s. Involving our long time friend Vimal Korpal in the project who created Mr Hayre character and so BCLM rolled out the red carpet with a special visit for Piara to meet the actors playing part of his life story. Many paying locals from the Punjabi community who visited BCLM were enhtralled to see the Indian flag represented and were curious to find out why . Some people were in tears of joy to see their community represented at BCLM. Atlthough far from perfect the character represenation his is one huge result from establishing the inaugral archive in the region, one that encapsulates the kind of impact envisioned by the Chair at BCVA since founding the org in 2014.
Indian flag flown at Black Country Living Museum with actor Harmesh enagaging audiences on Mr Hayre’s real life story. Arts Council England funded project Apna Heriatge Archive.
From left Jaminder Hayre with son Arjan and centre Piara Hayre with actor Harmesh and Jaminder’s wife Krishan Hayre
Piara Hayre & his fmaily photographed next to the current Mayoress Sandra Samuels and consort husband Karl Samuels at Black Country Living Museum.