Watling Community Centre Celebrates Another Successful Year
FEATURED
Once again this year, on Saturday 27 June 2026, Watling Community Centre and Burnt Oak Nepalese Community came together for the Annual Open Day, shaped not by one person, but by many hands moving in the same direction.
The day brought together music, dance, yoga, children’s activities, food, speeches, volunteers, local partners and community leaders. On paper, it was a performance schedule and a list of roles. In reality, it was a reminder of what community work really looks like: planning, patience, compromise, early starts, last-minute changes, and people quietly stepping forward to help — often doing more with little.
The programme was hosted by Sudhir Gautam, Board Secretary for Watling Community Centre and Webmaster for Burnt Oak Nepalese Community, and was formally opened by the Chairmen of Watling Community Centre and Burnt Oak Nepalese Community. We were honoured to welcome our chief guests, including Deputy Mayor Councillor Humayune Khalick; David Pinto-Duschinsky MP for Hendon, who despite it being his birthday made the effort to visit and support the event; and Deputy Lieutenant Martin Russell, a long-standing critical friend and ambassador for making community work.
Watling Community Centre Open Day 2026: Community in Motion
Events like this do not happen because everything is perfect. They happen because people care enough to make things work. Some welcomed guests, some prepared food, some managed children’s activities, some supported performers, some kept the programme moving, and others stayed in the background making sure the basics were covered.
There was something very special about seeing the community come together in such a practical way. Where else could people enjoy ice cream, burgers, rice and curry, samosas and pizza for £1? It was simple, generous and community-led, a reminder that inclusion is not only about words, but also about making sure families can take part without feeling excluded.
There was also something important in the partnership itself. Watling Community Centre is more than a building, and BONC is more than a community group. When organisations work together with trust and shared purpose, local spaces become places of belonging, not just venues.
The Open Day showed the strength of a community-led approach: practical, inclusive and rooted in service. It was not about showing off. It was about opening doors, bringing people together, and reminding everyone that community is built through participation.
A sincere thank you to all volunteers, performers, organisers, partners, guests and supporters who helped make the day possible. The success of the day belongs to everyone who gave their time, energy and goodwill.
We also took a moment to recognise our recently elected councillors — Kamal Gurung, Lacchya Gurung, Charlotte Daus and Sara Conway — and to thank them for the positive work they have already been doing across the community.
Throughout the day, the Open Day brought together a broad mix of performances, activities and stalls, reflecting the efforts of local groups, volunteers and partners. Performances and activities included Lenvon Stars of Tomorrow, Anand Mangal, One Shakti, the handstand yoga demonstration, Bounce, the Longevity Demo, The Ark Family First Fellowship, Quantum Tuitons, AshRay and contributions from Lightpoint Church. Special shout-out to Om, Andy, Deepika and Sangeeta.
BONC also had a strong presence throughout the programme, with several cultural presentations. Folk instruments were a key theme, beautifully presented by the ladies of Burnt Oak. The youth of Burnt Oak, also known as Gaule Haru, brought energy and confidence to the stage. Parmita gave a graceful solo performance, Safal and his crew performed a Gurkha dance, and Yasna also delivered a beautiful performance. Special thanks are due to the Musical Director, Ker J Gurung, for his contribution and coordination. Alongside the performances, the day was supported by contributors including Edgware and District Radio, and many others who helped create a welcoming community atmosphere.
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