A South Asian Mela first happened in Preston in 1997, although there had been a long build-up to the event, with local activists raising the profile of South Asian culture since the 1970s. The Guild in 1992 played an important role in that journey.
Since then there have been many fantastic Mela festivals full of dynamic performances and vibrant activities. And the audience has become more and more diverse over the years. Bringing cohesion between the various communities in the city.