HITCHIN was alive with vibrant colours and toe-tapping music on Saturday. It was the annual Vaisakhi celebrations when the Sikh community put on a glorious show in the town. The day began at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (temple) in Wilbury Way when t

HITCHIN was alive with vibrant colours and toe-tapping music on Saturday.

It was the annual Vaisakhi celebrations when the Sikh community put on a glorious show in the town.

The day began at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (temple) in Wilbury Way when the old orange cloth covering the Nishaan Sahib (large sword) outside the gurdwara was removed and the sword cleaned before being wrapped in a new cloth and put back in place.

Trailers were dressed, the holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was placed on the main trailer and hymns were sung before a procession involving about 400 people began to wind its way through the town, accompanied by drummers and the Ghatka (martial arts) team demonstrating their skills.

Free food, drinks and sweets were on offer to anyone who wanted them throughout the event.

One of the organisers, Mrs Kuljit Kaur, said: "It was probably one of the most successful celebrations we have had. I am pleased it went so well and there were no problems. It was a fantastic day.