Memories

The way we were! Light the corners of your minds.

Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke CH KC

The Yorkshire Sikh Forum was originally established in 1989 at the request of the Home Office, under the leadership of then Home Secretary Kenneth Clark.

Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke CH KC played a key role in supporting the early development of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum. He encouraged and enabled the estabishment of the Forum to support communication, community liason, and easing cultural and political tensions at the time.

Kenneth Clarke is a long‑serving British Conservative politician known for holding several major Cabinet posts over four decades. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, and later Justice Secretary, earning a reputation as a pragmatic, pro‑European moderate. After nearly 50 years as an MP, he became The Rt Hon. the Lord Clarke of Nottingham CH KC when he entered the House of Lords in 2020.

Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

We celebrated the coronation of King Charles III with a special dinner — a moment of pride for our community, many of whom came from India in the 1960s for a better life. We thank our sponsors for their continued and generous support.

Dedication to our Honourable Stalwart, Hardev Singh Sidhu

Hardev Singh Sidhu has been a devoted member of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum since its inception, serving for many years as our General Secretary. His dedication and service were formally recognised when he was honoured by the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire for his valuable contributions to the community.

Yorkshire Sikh Forum New Year Party

There was a time when the Yorkshire Sikh Forum gathered on New Year’s Day, when community shaped Sikh life in Bradford — a time remembered for its enduring bonds of friendship.

MBE Awarded to the founder of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum

Nirmal Singh Sekhon receiving an MBE from the Prince Of Wales in recognition of his long‑standing community service, his contributions to charitable causes, his leadership in strengthening community cohesion, and his services to the local economy.

The Right Honourable The Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE

Lord Singh bestowed a great honour upon the Yorkshire Sikh Forum by inviting us to the House of Lords for a meeting — a gesture we will always cherish.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Indarjit Singh CBE) is a respected member of the UK House of Lords and a leading voice for the Sikh community. A well‑known broadcaster, writer, and interfaith advocate, he has dedicated decades to promoting understanding, equality, and Sikh representation in public life.

Asian Express Celebration Dinner

Members of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum were delighted to attend a special dinner celebrating the economic contributions of Yorkshire’s diverse ethnic communities — a wonderful event hosted by the Asian Express newspaper.

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan visited Bradford for the end Bite the Mango Film Festival in 1999, where he spoke at City Hall and attended an event at Pictureville Cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan is one of Indian cinema’s most influential actors, starring in over 200 films and earning major honours including multiple National Film Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and India’s Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Nirmal Singh Sekhon met him in his official capacity as Chairman of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum, yet also as a warm representative of Bradford’s Sikh community — joining in a heartfelt celebration of how his films had gently eased the early days of settling into a new English life, rekindling treasured memories of India they carried in their hearts.