Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Mayor, Cllr Gill Birch, samples some delicious treats from the PhilippinesExotic foods and colourful costumes filled South Hill Park when all things Filipino came to town as part of the Bracknell Barrio Fiesta on Sunday (July 29).

The Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, got the festival started when she officially opened the event - which has become an annual summer spectacular in the borough.

As well as trying a delicious feast of Filipino food Cllr Mrs Birch and her consort Cllr Dale Birch enjoyed a fiesta of Filipino dancing and music as well as a fashion show - which showcased a variety of traditional costume and dress.

The event, which was themed Salu-Salo, Sama Sama and means getting together and having fun, has been running for several years in Bracknell Forest and is organised by the Berkshire Filipino Association. Members of the Embassy of the Philippines were also on hand throughout the day to tell festival-goers more about the country's culture and history, while a variety of traditional goodies were on sale for shoppers to snap up.

Cllr Mrs Birch said: "I very much enjoyed the festival and learning all about the culture of the Philippines and I was honoured that for the second year running I was able to open the festival.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council