Our growing communities
There are more than 300,000 Sikhs living in Britain today, hailing largely from immigration which took place in the 1950s and '60s from Punjab in North West India and, later on, East Africa.
The first Sikh gurdwara was established in Putney, London, in 1911, but most came from the Punjab to find jobs in Britain in the mid 20th century.
But there was also the aftermath of the 1947 division of India and Pakistan to contend with, which led to the deaths of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs alike.
Northampton's Sikh community emerged at this time when members, including former Northampton Borough councillor Jas Bains, located a place of worship in a small, first floor room at a property in St George's Street.
However, times have changed for the county's Sikhs.
One senior community member, Bahadur Mahil, gurdwara secretary, said: "There were a lot of entrepreneurs who moved here and opened small shops, or moved into other industries. It is the centre of England so a lot of people are moving here."
Today, Northampton Sikhs still occupy a gurdwara at one address in St George's Street, but also run a community centre in a tiny building a couple of doors down.
But, with at least 400 families now believed to be living in the county, numbers are putting pressure on the limited space available in the two buildings.
Part of the Sikh religion is about working with local people and the community centre now offers not only a youth club, drumming lessons, computer access courses and an elderly day centre, but also a gym, language classes, and children's football ... to name but a few.
Langar – certain times each week when food is supplied at the gurdwara – is also on offer; a facility sometimes used by homeless people.
The members believe the building is too small to accommodate the Sikhs and wider community interested in taking up events.
Some classes have to be done in sessions of 10 people, simply because of the size of the community centre's room. And there are now long waiting lists for many activities.
Punjabi classes had to be moved to Castle Primary School and, for outdoor summer activities, children have to be taken out to Abington Park.
Parking is also a major issue for visitors to the site.
The gurdwara is too small to host Sikh wedding celebrations, which can attract hundreds of people.
Members tend to travel to Bedford or Coventry to mark the occasion.
Community members are now fearful that younger Sikhs may be tempted to move away to towns which can more easily accommodate their religious practices.
Balvir Singh Aujla, of the Lotus Foundation, said: "We are all realising that Northampton is growing at a wonderful rate.
I commute to London most of the time and people are taking advantage of moving out of greater London and getting a greener place to live."
Harjinder Singh Kooner, also from the foundation, said: "The perception is we are getting more and more people but we may not be the first choice if we can't offer the services."
He added: "For the space we have and the people we have available we do a fantastic job but we are so confined now we are almost bursting at the seams."
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