A wealth of events are set to take place in Bury as Black History Month approaches in October.

The theme this year is "Saluting our Sisters" to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of black women to society.

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The 2021 census data for Bury showed that the number of black residents increased by around 1,800 residents during the previous 10 years and now make up 1.9 per cent of Bury’s population, nearly twice the level of a decade ago.

This breaks down as 1.3 per cent Black African, 0.4 per cent Black Caribbean and 0.2 per cent Black Other.

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Cllr Tahir Rafiq, cabinet member for corporate affairs and HR at the council, said: “Black History Month is important in Bury as we celebrate the rich diversity of our borough and reaffirm our commitment to eliminating discrimination in any form.

“The month is also an opportunity for everyone to learn about the history and experiences of black people in the UK, contributing to having inclusive communities and workplaces.”

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Here are the events taking place in Bury and the surrounding areas:

• Bury Art Museum is hosting “Am I Not A Woman And A Sister?”, a four-screen film installation made with Manchester-based artist Elizabeth Kwant and female survivors of modern slavery with national charity City Hearts. The museum will also be highlighting the BAM Black Art Trail which is now accessible through the Art UK Bloomberg App.

• Bury Libraries, alongside a Celebrating Diversity collection on Borrowbox, will feature a display on a Bury Archives blog – the Resettlement of Ugandan Asians in Bury. It introduces us to one of the families who came to Bury as a result of Idi Amin’s expulsion of those of Asian heritage from Uganda 50 years ago.

• Greater Manchester Black History Month Civic Launch - Celebrating our sisters from the Windrush era - Thursday, September 28 at Manchester Cathedral from 6.30pm to 9pm. https://www.cahn.org.uk/bhm/

• BHM Annual Gala Awards – The Black Caribbean and African Health Network will be honouring individuals and organisations for their contributions to the health and wellbeing of Black Caribbean and African Communities across the United Kingdom.

• Gasper Nali and Michael Mountain music gig – October 11 at The Met in Bury. A roots one-man-band from the shores of Lake Malawi, Gasper Nali creates the most amazing and danceable original Afro Beats.

• "Our Power of Staff Networks Conference" run by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service with the theme of "Change the Story!". On Thursday, October 12 from 10am to 5pm, at Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS.

• LGBTQI Forum – Hate Crime against LGBT BAME people – October 25 at The Met, Bury.

• AFRICAB Cultural Event – 15 Knowsley Street, Bury - October 27 from 10am to 12pm.

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