| Welcome to our new site
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Welcome to
the new face of Southall.co.uk which we hope is a huge
improvment on our previous site which though much loved
and visited was difficult to keep maintained and fresh.
The new site offers a number of additional facilities
such as; |
- Improved business directory
- Additional information and new sections
- Improved site navigation
- Improved Guestbook inc. registration
As
well as these improvements you can now;
- Register for FREE to access additional information
- Participate on our online Forums on a variety of
subjects
- Register your Business as well as manage your
business details online
- Publish your events such as gigs, religious
events, etc..
- Send eGreetings, coming soon...
We hope
that you enjoy the improved site and welcome any
comments or suggestions you may have. Please click here or
use the Contact Us form to send us your contributions.
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History of Southall
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So hard to believe how far Southall has come!
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Ever thought of what Southall was like before? Having no busy roads, no loud music
being played at each and every stall and not even an Asian person in sight? Well, it’s
hard to believe but this was the case in the early years. Southall has come a long way
and has changed in more ways than one. If Southall was not known as ‘little India’ what was it?
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Southall was a complete different place before anyone knew that you could buy a
salwar kameez (India suit) for £10. People led different lifestyles and you could not even get a samosa!
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There are some familiar places that are still around such as The ‘Red lion’ was a
meeting point for a society in 1830. Also The Himalaya Palace Cinema, which was known as ‘The Palace’ in 1929.
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Speaking of cinemas, Southall was and still is entertainment central… in 1910,
The Southall Electric Theatre was opened which was converted into the Gem Cinema
in 1929. Odeon cinema was also opened in Southall in 1936, one of the biggest cinema
chains today. But, there is only one cinema in Southall today, which is Himalaya Palace,
which broadcast Bollywood films in a comfortable atmosphere.
This was re-opened in September 2001 due to a fire which took place in 1998.
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Southall is also known for its sports teams ever since it was founded. There were many
sport clubs that originated in the early years from tennis to cricket clubs. One of the first
sports clubs in Southall was the Southall Football Club, which is said to be created in 1871.
They went onto join a football league in 1919-20. Today the Southall football club still exists
and have been successful in matches.
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There was also a greyhound racing stadium located on Havelock Road in 1939. A place of
socialising and gambling. Now there is a church and a gurdwara (Sikh temple) built there, how ironic!
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So, there were a lot of sport actives available to watch and play, which still exist today.
You have the Ramgharia sports tournament that takes place every summer at Brunel University,
which include sports such as Hockey, Squash, Badminton, Karate and many more.
So sport has been an important factor and still is to the Southall borough.
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News has been something that each borough in England has been up to date with throughout
the 19th century. Southall had three newspapers published during the 1800s. The Southall
News had emerged in 1885-1888 as well as the Southall Guardian which was published in 1894.
Today we have the Southall Gazette and the Southall Leader which is posted to your doorstep.
Also not forgetting Des Pardes, the Punjabi newspaper that is read by all the gianis (priests).
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In comparison, to the early years, Southall today, is visited by many tourists around the world.
Being apart of London, Southall highlights the change in history, mainly through the way how
London has become a more cultural city with a different range of ethnic backgrounds.
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Even though Southall has changed in different ways, it is important to know how it was founded
and how it differs from the way it is now. As you never know in the next hundred years Southall
may be full of people from the Caribbean, I don’t know we will just have to wait and see.
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That’s it from me…JM (Southall’s roaming reporter)
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Old is gold! When Bolly goes bad!!
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Old is gold! When Bolly goes bad!! |
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Is it just me or are Bollywood films not as good as they used to be?
Well… we went from Sholay to Neil n Nikki, the Big B to ex model Aryan Vaid,
Gabbar Singh to Shereveer Vakil , the elegant Rani Mukerjee to Celina Jaitley
(who?). When it comes to Bollywood films OLD is definitely GOLD!
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Call me old fashioned but…I always associated Bolly films as being traditional,
classic fun and something which all the family can enjoy (including the daddhis),
I wish that I could just sit and watch a film, instead of changing the channel from
ZEE TV to Tom and Jerry when an x rated bit comes up in front of my dhadha (granddad)!
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I was a regular cinema goer and was practically watching a Bollywood film every fortnight
(I know a bit sad!) but that’s when the big blockbusters were out! Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, K3G, Lagaan and not forgetting Veer Zara (altogether now OH YEH).
Each classic movie holds very fond memories for me such as Saajan (Salman Khan, Sanjay
Dutt and Madhuri Dixit) and Maine Pyar Kiya was out on my chachas (uncle) wedding, but I
can’t say this for any other film that’s out today???
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Today films seem to have become westernised. And also not to mean so harsh but the
new actors that don’t have the same presence on screen as these old actors, like who is
that new Shah Rukh look alike in Souten???.
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What I miss about the films is the lovely India, Punjab fields!!, what’s the point going to
places like London and shooting films when you have got great scenery at your doorstep?.
I don’t know about you but I want to see the real India the beautiful fields that were shown
in Veer Zara!
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Also where’s the soppy dialogue gone? “Maa, mai vapas agia hu maa” (mum, I have come back).
AND what’s happened to the songs? I miss the old school songs like…“mera jutha hai jo pani! (Tune!) Those were the days!!!
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But there, there are exceptions such as Rang De Basanti, which is full of culture and history.
So I can’t put down Bollywood there are actually some good movies coming out that has that
idianfied factor to it! Well what can I say I love MY culture!!
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Let us all hope that films will come back and show the true greatness of India and hopefully
I will be going to the cinema every week!!! Yeh right!
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That’s it from me; you can catch new films at Southall’s very own Cinema Himalaya Palace!
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JM is now signing off (Southall’s roaming reporter!)
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Latest News and Events
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14/05/2007 New UK Sikh Directory launched by Sikhs In England.
[read more...] |
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15/04/2007 Southall - Let's make it better for business.
[read more...] |
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10/03/2007 100 Southall locals to get their say on traffic and parking issues.
[read more...] |
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09/03/2007 West London Tram - A tram running along the Uxbridge Road between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush.
[read more...] |
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03/03/2007 Haveli Restaurant and Banqueting revamped for 2007
[read more...] |
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| Register Now! |
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Register on Southall.co.uk and you can
register your business, publish any local events and
join the much acclaimed Forums which discuss anything
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from Shopping to finding love in this great town!
Note: Business Directory Entries.
If
you had previously registered your business please note
that your listing is now available on this new site.
Over the next week or so you will receive an email at
the email address first used to register your business
and this will enable you to self-manage your directory
listing on Southall.co.uk once registered.
If you do
no receive an email or are no longer using your old
email addresses please use the contact us form
so we can make the necessary changes.
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CS Interiors in Brentford
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CS Interiors has been providing plaster mouldings to London and the surrounding area for over 15 years. Specialist fibrous plaster moulders; CS Interiors pride themselves with a reliable and realistically priced service. Based in Brentford the showroom is extremely functional
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illustrating cornices and mouldings in situ. Free samples can be taken away on request allowing the mouldings to be viewed practically at home or at site.
The extensive collection includes traditional Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco as well as contemporary modern designs suitable for every style situation. Mouldings can also be matched to existing or produced to customers requirements or drawings, for this a profile, drawing or section of the moulding is required. Each customer is treated individually to produce their own ideal projects.
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Custom made arches and surrounds are proving very popular, enhancing through rooms and corridors. Any drawings, estimates and consultations are free. Job sheets and drawings of previous work are also available on request. A supply and fit service is also available, depending on requirements, allowing peace of mind that the mouldings will be fitted accurately and professionally.
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Click here for CS Interiors website
Mention Southall.co.uk and get a 5% discount
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JM is now signing off (Southall’s roaming reporter!)
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The Panjabi voice is celebrating!
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What do you think makes a great radio station? Hmm…. good music, something that educates us, provides entertainment and laughter… |
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Well, Panjab Radio does all this and more which caters for all, from the dhaddies (grandmas) to the baché (the kids).
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Panjab Radio was the first satellite radio channel in Punjabi, which has been running successfully for six years. What makes this Radio station different is that it “broadcasts in one language” as stated by Surjit Singh Ghuman, the managing director of the radio station. “According to a London study, 72% of the Asian community speaks and understands Punjabi but everyone wanted to open up an Asian radio station”. Surjit continued, “The only way to succeed in life is if we provide something which was different and unique so we provided 100% Panjabi Radio station, first one in the world.”
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On Sunday 25th June 2006, Panjab Radio hosted a successful event in honour of the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. The Panjab Radio station was also celebrating the opening of their new building. The event was attended by over a thousand of listeners including international Punjabi singers Malkit Singh, and Mangi Mahal who both sang various hymns.
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The event began at 10am with listeners joining in to listen to Sukhmani Sahib Ji Da Paath (a Sikh prayer). This was followed by Kirtan (hymns) which was sung by different groups including Chamkaur Singh’s Dhadi Jatha.
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Also, Guru Ka Langar (free community food) was being prepared and served by various members of the Panjab Radio team. Many people worked together including children, to ensure the day was a great success.
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Listeners had a chance to join in with the celebrations by joining in with the prayers and by also personally meeting the presenters and the team of Panjab Radio station.
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Panjab Radio is well known to attract the youth by educating them about the Punjabi culture through “keeping it alive with the generations that are born here not just generations that come from abroad” as stated by Tina Sharma, a member of the team, mainly by “broadcasting in 100% Punjabi content”.
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As well as culture, the youth are also educated on religion through broadcasts done by the Sweet Sikhi Team. They told southall.co.uk that, “Panjab Radio gave us a chance to do talks and lectures in English” which attracts the youth to listen to the station and also educate them about Sikhism. This show provides “basic information which can help people in a sense to learn about Sikhi in their local sangat (community) or local gurdwara.”
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Panjab Radio has played a huge part in the Southall community and presenters have seen how the Southall community has changed. Deepika, soon to be presenter on Panjab Radio states that Southall is like a “mini Punjab and I find that everyone is really supportive towards each other”. Deepika continues “It has brought all ethnicities together, it has helped overcome certain disputes that people might have had and certain judgements that people might have had”. Miss T, a presenter, also states “It is nice that people from different backgrounds can join in festivals regardless of their religion.”
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Southall as a Community has come far, and Panjab Radio Station has reinforced the culture of Southall through their radio station and their successful events, which brings together the Asian community, and also allows listeners to personally meet the presenters. This is a great aspect of Panjab Radio station as many other radio stations do not have events like this which involve their listeners.
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Panjab Radio station has proved to be a success and will probably continue to become a well known radio station across the world.
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Well that is it…as they say in Punjabi Sat Sri Akal!
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JM is now signing off (Southall’s roaming reporter!)
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| Little
India
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Waking up everyday watching
cars going past, horns beeping, Indian women walking in their salwar kameezes,
the golden domes of the gurdwara,the smell of jalebis mmmm…,
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same song at every stall hang on this isn’t India it’s our very own Southall, a
home away from home!
Growing up in a small town Southall, going to school, going to the temple, I
practically spend my life here. By moving from high school to university in
Uxbridge (not much of a change) but no town can be the same as SOUTHALL, I
pretty much can tell you that.
World of culture, shops, restaurants, beauty, and personality. There’s
everything for everyone, suits for the penji’s (sisters), kurta pyjamas and
dhoti (which look lovely!) for the men! We got beauty salons basically
scattered everywhere at low prices (£1.50 to sort out the eyebrows! I did!),
and restaurants left right and centre from small snack bars catering for a
quick bites to large restaurants offering a wide variety of mouth watering
flavours, wonderful aromas and exotic spices.
There are many places of worships in Southall, Havelock Gurdwara, the Southall
Church, the Mosque and the new Mandhir that is being re furbished on Lady
Margaret Road. They are opened to everyone and easy to find! If you need
anything you are probably sure to find it in Southall!
Anyway…I will keep you lot posted on the news, entertainment, and the good spots
to go to in Southall!
Until next time...KM (Southall's roaming reporter!)
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