Newsletter

This is the Newsletter of the Jugnu Bhangra Group to keep our Members, Parents and Funders up to date with our progress. Jugnu areKent’s premier Punjabi dance group. Our base is “THE STUDIO” Community Arts Centre, Holy Trinity School,Trinity Road, Gravesend.

AA SSuucccceessssffuull YYeeaarr!!Jugnu’s recent AGM celebrated a successful past year, particularly notablewere:

One of our best Vaisakhi Festival turnouts ever, featuring 35 drummers and20 dancers (aged 5-21) supported by many mums and friends.

We starred at festivals such as Pestalozi (Sussex), Llangollen (Wales),Calais (France) and Kitten (Bulgaria).

A new Sound System & Signs at “The Studio”, our purpose-built rehearsalvenue.

Ever growing numbers of children and young people enjoying Jaspal’s Dholand Bhangra workshops.

An emerging ‘C’ (Junior) team.

The ‘B’ team performed for the first time at a bhangra workshop at a schoolin Dartford and at festivals in Hastings and France.

The ‘A’ team “All Stars” continue to wow audiences at home and abroad.They wiped the board and took top prize at the Kitten Festival - Bhangra isnow Big in Bulgaria - see inside for more pictures.

N e w s l e t t e r 1S e p t . 2 0 0 5

SShhaammmmii MMBBEECongratulations to Shaminder Bedi on beingawarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire)in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Shammi has been a member of Jugnu for 35 yearsand for the past 17 years has been the group’sChairman. He first joined Jugnu as a Dhol Playerand became arguably one of the best Punjabidrummers in the country.

His most satisfying group achievement has beencombining with Jugnu’s Keith Wyncoll andGraham Howard, Head of Holy Trinity School toraise £300,000 to design, build and open “TheStudio”. Over 1,000 children and young peopleuse this multi-purpose community arts centreeach week.

Shammi works for Kent Social Services andmanages 2 Day Centres for Asian older people -Guru Nanak Day Centre, Gravesend and MilanDay Centre, Dartford.

His other voluntary involvements include being aformer chair of Gravesham Police CommunityLiaison Group; he’s a member of the AsianWelfare Society; supports a local carersassociation and helped formed the GravesendInternational Club.

He’s off to the Palace soon to collect his gong,well done from all of us! Jugnu in action in Bulgaria

BHANGRA'S BIG IN BULGARIA !Jugnu Bhangra Group have starred at a topinternational folk festival in Bulgaria.

The Punjabi dancers from Gravesend visited VelikoTarnovo, the beautiful ancient capital of Bulgaria, aspart of “Connect Youth” - a European youth

exchange programme. Jugnu had a great timelinking with Bulgarche, a local folk dance group. Ifall goes well, they will make a return visit toGravesend next year.

Both groups performed for huge crowds on aspectacular lakeside stage. The festival wasshown live throughout Eastern Europe.

Jugnu Tour Manager, Keith Wyncoll was amazedwhen a Greek festival organiser arrived at thegroup’s hotel. “He saw us on TV and drove through thenight from Greece determined to book Jugnu and anArmenian dance group from Paris for his festival nextsummer!” Keith added, “he must have had good tastebecause we were voted the best two groups amongst the13 countries performing”.

Dancer Jag Dhami said, "one of the local discos playedPunjabi music every night - Bhangra is big in Bulgaria!".

The Group would like to thank Dev’s brother HardishVirdee of Virdee Stores for his kind gift of 30 CD’s andtapes to present to our host in Bulgaria - these werereally appreciated.

Jugnu BhangraGroup have

starred at a topinternational folkfestival at Veliko

Tarnovo, Bulgaria.

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AA SSttrroonnggeerr TTeeaammThey used to say that “Behind every great man is a great women”. Without wanting to be sexist,Jugnu’s performing successes could not exist without countless hours of hard work by our committeemembers, friends, families, supporters and funders (in particular Urban and Connect Youth).

Jugnu’s committee had remained much the same in recent years, but we are pleased to announce that wenow have a stronger, more inclusive team which actively involves our young people and has key roles forfemale members.

NNeeww ccoommmmiitttteeee Jagdev Singh Virdee is Jugnu's new chair with Shaminder Bedi as Vice Chair

Indy Sandhu remains as secretary but his additional role of Treasurer will now be shared between RifatParveen Karim and Jatinder Kaur. We are delighted to welcome them to the committee - theirchildren are keen members of the junior Dhol and Bhangra classes.

Amongst the other committee members:

- Surinder Dhinsa and Jazz are Dhol/ Bhangra teachers.

- Keith Wyncoll organises overseas tours and our fund raising.

- Amerjit and Amrik Kalsi provide technical support, keep the minibus running and build our sets.

- Harkamal Kooner, Ricky Dhinsa, Shampy Kainth, Deepak Drubhra assist with workshops, are

designing our website, help edit Jugnu News - and make the tea!

- Indy Atwal and Amrik Kalsi are our singers and drivers.

- Finally, Dot Lowe is minutes secretary.

AA SSiiggnn ooff tthheeTTiimmeessJugnu’s Logo features a “Jugnu”, a Punjabi Firefly -symbolising the group’s ability to shine at night!

When “The Studio” was built 4 years ago, wedesigned an additional logo for the £300,000purpose-built Community Arts Centre whichacknowledges our partnership with Holy TrinitySchool. Thanks to an Urban Community ChestGrant, we have now been able to provide signs forthis community venue which is enjoyed by morethan 1,000 children and young people each week.

IInnttrroodduucciinngg JJuuggnnuu’’ss NNeeww CChhaaiirrJagdev Singh Virdee (also known as Dev)is a highly respected member ofGravesend's Sikh community. Dev has been a member of Jugnu's committeefor many years.

Dev is chair of the Governors ofRosherville School and is a member ofthe Asian Welfare Society committee, andon the Education Committee for GuruNanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend,helping to manage the Punjabi School.

He is also a member of Kent CountyCouncil's Race Equality Forum. His dayjob is Deputy Director for Regional andLocal Division in the Office for NationalStatistics, responsible for analysis andadvice on the information needed byGovernment and others for regional andlocal policies. He regularly represents theUK Government in discussions withEuropean partners and otherinternational organisations.

If you would like an article tobe considered for the nextissue or suggestimprovements made to yourNewsletter please email Jazzatjazz.bhanot@talk21.com orKeith atkwyncoll@btinternet.com

Our Next Edition deadline is30th November 2005

Edited/Designed for JugnuBhangra Group:Jazz BhanotKeith Wyncoll

web:www.jugnubhangra.comemail:jugnubhangra@hotmail.co.uk

Registered Charity number1058160

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Q.What has four legs but can't walk? - A. A table!

Q.Why did the turtle cross the road? - A. To get to the Shell station!

Q.What did the ground say to the earthquake? - A. You crack me up!

Q.What do you get when you cross a cow and a duck? - A. Milk and quackers!

Q.Why did the elephant eat the candle? - A. He wanted a light snack!

Q.Why is the letter "G" scary? - A. It turns a host into a ghost

Who ever returns the Word Search back to Jazz with all the wordsfound, there will be a small prize given....so hurry!!!

TThhee DDhhooll//BBhhaannggrraa CCllaasssseess

How long have you been a Jugnu member16 Years...My Dad forced me to join.

Your best moments so farPerforming in front of HRH Queen 2 years ago and the India trip in 2003

What do you prefer playing the dhol or being a dancerI like doing both at the same time

What football team do you supportMan Utd

Ricky Dhinsa- dhol/dancer

How long have you been a Jugnu member2 Years

Your best moments so farPerforming my first show in front of an audience...that wasgood feeling seeing the audience enjoying our show

Your favourite foodEating Lamb kebabs while watching Eastenders on Friday nites

What football team do you supportArsenal

Sunny -dancer

How long have you been a Jugnu member2 Years

Your best moments so farWhen I did my first performance in Dartford

What do you prefer playing the dhol or being a dancerDancing of course, I get to show off my dance talents

What football team do you supportArsenal

ManinderGill - dancer

student file........

Jugnu Word Search

H M F C B J O Z T W B S I U D

O T W X F O A N P N G E N T H

R M H L V D L Z Q I A G R I G

B H A N G R A I D K U Z U L T

I C O O D T N D Y J Z F A L M

M H Y O U U H B T A T N G I H

D D F R S A R M U J N C G U G

P D L M V H Z W Z K G A U Q U

O A L Q S I I B M U T C D F P

A I U Z A I V K L Z Y H E V Q

Z I D P U T T I A O W A G H A

W E Y U B A F O I D H D L R I

G Z U B T F E O F Q J D O R H

O T Y Y M S R E M K O A G N R

U K U E A H T R O K W R T D G

BHANGRA

BOLIYAN

CHADDAR

DHOL

DUGGA

GIDDHA

JUGNU

KORTHA

PUGH

PUTTI

SHIKA

STUDIO

TILLI

TUMBI

TURLA

15 of 15 words were placed into the puzzle.

Solution

Created by at DiscoverySchool.comPuzzlemaker

16/8/05 1:34 pmWord Search Puzzle

Page 1 of 1http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp

Jugnu Word Search

H M F C B J O Z T W B S I U D

O T W X F O A N P N G E N T H

R M H L V D L Z Q I A G R I G

B H A N G R A I D K U Z U L T

I C O O D T N D Y J Z F A L M

M H Y O U U H B T A T N G I H

D D F R S A R M U J N C G U G

P D L M V H Z W Z K G A U Q U

O A L Q S I I B M U T C D F P

A I U Z A I V K L Z Y H E V Q

Z I D P U T T I A O W A G H A

W E Y U B A F O I D H D L R I

G Z U B T F E O F Q J D O R H

O T Y Y M S R E M K O A G N R

U K U E A H T R O K W R T D G

BHANGRA

BOLIYAN

CHADDAR

DHOL

DUGGA

GIDDHA

JUGNU

KORTHA

PUGH

PUTTI

SHIKA

STUDIO

TILLI

TUMBI

TURLA

15 of 15 words were placed into the puzzle.

Solution

Created by at DiscoverySchool.comPuzzlemaker

16/8/05 1:34 pmWord Search Puzzle

Page 1 of 1http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp

JJuuggnnuu WWoorrdd SSeeaarrcchh

JJookkeess

As all you know Dhol Classes are on Monday’s from 6.45pm - 8pm and Bhangraclasses are on Thursday’s as follows:

Team C - 6.45pm - 7.30pmTeam B - 7.30pm - 8.15pmTeam A - 8.30pm - 9.30pm (During school/uni. breaks)

or on Fridays at 6.45 - 7.45pm (term time)All Students are advised if they have Asthma to bring along their Asthma Pumps tothe classes, if they wish they can leave their pump in the Jugnu office.

NEW STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN AT ANY TIME

Any further information please contact:Jazz Bhanot 07863 337400 - Surinder Dhinsa 07789 212235Keith Wyncoll - 01474 329325 or email kwyncoll@btinternet.com

Each issue we will select 3 students from ourdhol or dance classes who have worked hardover the previous 2-3 months.

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Don’t forget guys “LIVERPOOL are the Europe Champions of 2005” jazz