B R ANCH REPORT
Birmingham
The Start of our Samaj The first step of
setting up Shree Prajapati Association (SPA)
Birmingham was a quick conversation between Shri
Rashikbhai Harilal Patel and Shri Govindbhai Narshibhai
Mistry. The first unofficial meeting was held at Shri
Govindbhai Narshibhai Mistry’s residence, 14 Bragg
Road, Perry Barr, with Shri Rashikbhai H Patel, Rambhai
S Mistry, (Late) Dullabbhai Chhanabhai Mistry and
Naginbhai Haribhai Mistry.
The first informal meeting was held at Shri Naginbhai
H Mistry’s residence, 83 Clarence Road, Sparkhill with
Shri Rambhai S Mistry, Shri Nichhubhai M Mistry, Shri
Rashikbhai H Patel and (Late) Dullabhbhai C Mistry
attending the meeting. Naginbhai jogs his memory of
about 35 Prajapati houses in Birmingham at that time.
The first formal meeting was held at Digbeth Hall in 1975
which formed the basis of Shree Prajapati Association
(SPA), Birmingham. Our first office bearers were Shri
Rashikbhai H Patel (President), Shri Govindbhai N Mistry
(Vice President), Shri Rambhai S Mistry (Secretary)
and (Late) Shri Dullabhbhai C Mistry (Treasurer).
Shree Prajapati Association, Birmingham was officially
established on 27th July 1975.
“By the end of 1986 our
membership grew to around 900
(200 houses)”
Prior to buying our property on Warwick Road,
meetings were kept at members households and
minutes were hand written in Gujarati. Minutes or any
correspondence were delivered by hand as very few
members had a car in those days.
In the early days it was very hard to get members
interested in joining the Samaj. With a membership
of 117 members, SPA Birmingham started celebrating
Navratri and Diwali festivals and organised yearly
summer day trips. Regular monthly meetings were held
at member’s residence.
60
Youth & Sports The likes of Shri Hasmukhbhai H
Mistry, Shri Vasantbhai P Mistry, Shri Pravinbhai K Mistry,
Shri Jayantibhai K Mistry and Shri Bharatbhai P Mistry
to name a few were instrumental in starting the youth
activities and regular weekly sports at Small Heath
Leisure Centre, Muntz Street, Birmingham. The first
ever trip arranged by the Youth was to Edinburgh.
Two coaches were arranged, one for the boys and one
for the girls.
Navratri 1974-1975 was when (Late) Bhanabhai
Karsanbhai Mistry and Savitaben Bhanabhai Mistry with
other members took part in singing Garba at the
Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir in Handsworth,
Birmingham. The first official one night Navratri
was held at St Phillips Hall, Plough & Harrow Road,
Edgbaston on 2nd October 1976.
The 1980s witnessed success in Navratri and Diwali
celebrations. Initially St Paul’s Centre, Balsall Heath was
our regular Navratri venue. In later years the venue
changed to Birmingham Community Association,
Jenkins Street, Small Heath to cope with the increased
membership. Due to the vast amount of interest,
Diwali shows were kept at Holte Adult Education
Centre, Wheeler Street, Birmingham, where 500 to 600
members used to attend.
The first edition of the members directory was
published in 1983, with the second edition in 1999 and
the third edition in 2007.
We had the honour of hosting the HQ Annual Sports
Day twice at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre in 1986 and
1996, and then again recently in 2005.