A FESTIVAL which aims to bring together people of all nationalities through traditional food and music was staged for the first time on Saturday.

The inaugural Multi-Cultural Festival took place in GWR Park in 30C heat.

Organiser Joy Grotzinger said: “It’s about bringing people together of all nationalities. We had meetings with African communities and other communities in Swindon.

“It took us at least a year to organise this event and I’m very happy with the result. We got food from different countries.”

The event featured live music, dancing and many activities. Organisers received £4,000 from South Swindon Parish Council.

Volunteer Monicah Gachila, who is originally from Kenya, said: “It’s not necessarily about me spreading my culture in Swindon, it’s more about exploring different cultures.”

But the high temperatures affected the turnout.

Monicah added: “We don’t have any power in making people turn up. We did what we could by advertising on social media.”