A book captures the golden memories of Lancashire residents as they first stepped foot in the UK.

‘Grandma’s recipes and traditional household tips’ is part of a multi-lingual heritage project by the West Brookhouse Community Association.

Translated in three languages the book features never before seen images dating back over fifty years.

It has been edited by Imtiaz Patel with project worker undertaken by Abdul Karim Shakoor MBE and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Imtiaz told us, “This publication is a humble attempt to document the history and heritage of the people of South Asian origin living Lancashire and the Grater Manchetsre area.

“It is based on extensive research of people from different walks of life including over 200 unique photos reflecting their social, community, faith and cultural life in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the UK.

“I believe that heritage is something that everyone should be proud of and should value.

“Our heritage connects us with our historical roots, cultural roots, customs, values, languages and our spiritual roots.

“We are confident that this book will be an inevitable source of inspiration and information for our younger generation and also for any future research related to British Asian communities.”

The book features among others testimony from Lord Adam Patel, Inayat Abdullah Valli, Vali Ahmed, Yusuf Virmani and Yousuf Bhailok.

It provides a fascinating insight to life for those arriving in the UK for the first time.

There is a deep connection between some of those who arrived in the sixties and seventies.

Abdul Ismail Zumla is featured in the English section of the book. He came to the UK from Zambia in 1967 and headed to Dover after landing at Heathrow. He was to sturdy his A-levels at a college there.

“I remember my first day at boarding school in 1967 at Dover and having cried all night remembering my family and friends back home and wonder where all these years have passed.”

He settled in Blackburn after getting married in 1971.

Ibrahim Master came to England in 1966, “From Heathrow we came to Lancaster where my father had already settled. He was working in Lansil Textile Mill. In 1970 we moved to Blackburn.

“At the beginning communication was a bit of problem but IK picked up communication skills quickly.

“The environment at that time in terms of encouraging people to learn English was very good especially if you were a new arrival.”

Nazir Hussain was born and bought up in Jhelum, “I came to England in 1964 and settled in Blackburn in 1967. Cold, Dark, strange and everything different. People, language, style, food and weather – you name it.

Yusuf Jan Virmani came from Uganda in October 1972, “I was only 16 years old at the time. One of the most haunting memories about Uganda was that I was kidnapped by Ugandan army rebels for two days.

“They took my clothes and money.

“However, they treated me well. I could speak Bungandi and Swahili so I was communicating with them for two days of custody.

“We came to the UK with £50 in our pocket. In 1973 we went to Newbury, Greenham Common Camp.”

He then travelled to Bolton before moving to Blackburn.

For further information concerning these images please call Imtiaz Patel on 07853 159 044.