I am owner of a much loved lifestyle shop in the town centre of Aylesbury called Holy Cow Home.

In August last year, I set up Holy Cow Community Events to provide a much loved and valued service for the community,

Only two months later in October, Aylesbury saw its first community Festival of Lights aka Diwali Mela, with only eight weeks to plan and organise a small group of volunteers came together to organise and execute this event, with great success, it reached out to all ages, both able and disabled, everyone was welcome and only positive feedback was received, with a request to do the event again.

We would like to make this an annual event, our fundraising efforts helped us make a contribution to "Inspire All" a not for profit organisation set up to provide councilling service to victims of crime in Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe, as well as covering the cost of putting the event on.

Last event saw over 900 people attend. North Indian and South Indian street food to tantalise your taste buds and Chai Tea, Traditional Dance and vocal performances from local talents, bollywood dance performances and classes, Dhol drummers, learn how to wear a sari, fashion show, why Diwali is celebrated, arts and crafts such as make your own Diya, book marks, henna painting, face painting, story time at Bucks County Museum and lots of wonderful coveted raffle prizes donated by many local businesses and surrounding areas, with naturally, many winners.

An event like this requires not only volunteers, but to make it an enjoyable one, there has to be entertainment and activities, stage, marquees and gazebos. Prizes for the raffle and insurances to safeguard attendees.

We need your help so we can continue to do this event again and each year make it better than the previous year! We would like my little market town Aylesbury to become well know for its diverse community events, that is inclusive of everyone, coming together to share and celebrate everything that makes us all unique.

The date for 2018 Festival of Lights is Saturday 27th October, with lots more activities planned this year.

Thank you for your support, what goes round comes round, thank you in advance

Yours sincerely

Mrs Poonam Gupta

Founder