60 Celebrating Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Community Radio Training Wolverhampton Community Radio Training chris@wcrfm.com This podcast, presented by Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen, celebrates the diversity of Wolverhampton https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ en-gb Copyright Wolverhampton Community Radio Training Aiir Tue, 19 May 2026 04:23:27 +0000 Tue, 19 May 2026 04:23:27 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss webmaster@aiir.com (Aiir) Religion & Spirituality Wolverhampton, diversity no Wolverhampton Community Radio Training This podcast, presented by Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen, celebrates the diversity of Wolverhampton https://mmo.aiircdn.com/425/682de926082ba.jpg Celebrating Wolverhampton Celebrating Wolverhampton https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ This podcast, presented by Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen, celebrates the diversity of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Ranjit Singh Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Ranjit Singh o425-5866-699d904749832 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 0:23:47 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Ranjit Singh, head Coach of Wolverhampton Wrestling Club and CEO Projects, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton in recognition of his exceptional contributions to sport, community service, and social impact locally, nationally and globally.  Ranjit who also serves as President of the British Kabaddi Association has been actively involved in serving the community using sports as the vehicle for the last 30 years continuing a family legacy. He was a key person in helping bring the Kabaddi World Cup to Wolverhampton last year. He now runs the Kabaddi Legacy project of the World Cup in schools, faith centres and sports organisations, creating participation and competitions for personal and community development.  He joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in WCR FM’s studios to talk about what drives him. Ranjit Singh, head Coach of Wolverhampton Wrestling Club and CEO Projects, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton in recognition of his exceptional contributions to sport, community service, and social impact locally, nationally and globally. 

Ranjit who also serves as President of the British Kabaddi Association has been actively involved in serving the community using sports as the vehicle for the last 30 years continuing a family legacy. He was a key person in helping bring the Kabaddi World Cup to Wolverhampton last year.

He now runs the Kabaddi Legacy project of the World Cup in schools, faith centres and sports organisations, creating participation and competitions for personal and community development. 

He joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in WCR FM’s studios to talk about what drives him.

For more information go to:

https://www.wolverhamptonwrestlingclub.co.uk

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Imam Mohammad Asad MBE Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Imam Mohammad Asad MBE o425-5866-693f3655dbcaa chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 14 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 0:28:24 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ In the latest in our Celebrating Wolverhampton podcast series on WCR FM, Imam Mohammed Asad MBE joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen. Imam Mohammad is recognised as one of the top 50 most influential Muslim in Europe. The conversation was tragically pertinent as recorded whilst news was emerging from Australia about the killings on Bondi Beach as the first day of Hanukah was being celebrated by the Sydney Jewish Community. Imam Mohammad talks about the commonality of the Abrahamic faiths and the understanding between religions and how education leads to peace and ignorance leads to violence. Imam Mohammed Asad MBE joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen following his recognition as one of the top 50 most influential Muslims in Europe.

The conversation was tragically pertinent as recorded whilst news was emerging from Australia about the killings on Bondi Beach as the first day of Hanukah was being celebrated by the Sydney Jewish Community.

Imam Mohammad talks about the commonality of the Abrahamic faiths and the understanding between religions and how education leads to peace and ignorance leads to violence.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/imam-mohammad-asad-mbe-71a856355/

 

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Jaivant Patel Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Jaivant Patel o425-5866-68fbbaa49ba6a chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:27:58 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ The Jaivant Patel Company is a multi-award winning international arts organisation, creating contemporary productions informed by British-South Asian lived experience and influenced by the myriad of South Asian dance forms. The company’s Artistic and Creative Director Jaivant Patel explores themes and narratives rarely seen in British theatre or dance houses. Jaivant is proud of his Wolverhampton roots and home and talks about his work, his personal journey and the importance of his faith. The 2023 award-winning, ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’, is also mentioned in the podcast. This saw Jaivant reimagine the queer symbolism of the Hindu gods, Shiva and Krishna, and the role they played in his sexual awakening to becoming an openly homosexual British born Indian man of Gujarati heritage. This year, Jaivant is touring with his company with an ambitious and evocative dance theatre production to date with Astitva, meaning ‘existence’, which is told in four episodes – Seeking, Desire, Acceptance, and Love. Jaivant joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen as part of marking Diwali 2025. The Jaivant Patel Company is a multi-award winning international arts organisation, creating contemporary productions informed by British-South Asian lived experience and influenced by the myriad of South Asian dance forms. The company’s Artistic and Creative Director Jaivant Patel explores themes and narratives rarely seen in British theatre or dance houses.

Jaivant is proud of his Wolverhampton roots and home and talks about his work, his personal journey his sexual awakening and the importance of his faith.

The 2023 award-winning, ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’, is also mentioned in the podcast. This saw Jaivant reimagine the queer symbolism of the Hindu gods, Shiva and Krishna, and the role they played in his sexual awakening to becoming an openly homosexual British born Indian man of Gujarati heritage.

This year, Jaivant is touring with his company with an ambitious and evocative dance theatre production to date with Astitva, meaning ‘existence’, which is told in four episodes – Seeking, Desire, Acceptance, and Love.

Jaivant joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen as part of marking Diwali 2025.

https://jaivantpatelcompany.com / https://www.facebook.com/jaivantpatelco / https://www.instagram.com/jaivantpatelco

ASTITVA 2025/ 2026 TOUR DATES

Thursday 6th November 2025 - Arena Theatre

Thursday 9th and Friday 10th October 2025 - Birmingham Rep

Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th March 2026 - The Place

 ASTITVA is funded by Arts Council England.

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Martin Gomberg - Interfaith Wolverhampton Chris Allen and Gurpri Bains in conversation with Martin Gomberg about being Jewish and the State of Israel o425-5866-68c9289d974f0 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 07 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 0:22:08 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ It should never be forgotten that the situation in Gaza grew out of a terrorist attack on 7th October 2023 by Hamas that killed over 1,200 men, women and children - also taking over 250 hostages. Is, though, the reaction by the State of Israel a disproportionate reaction? Many would say so. That has led to a rise in anti-semitism (the hatred of Jews) despite the fact that the Jewish community is a separate entity to the State of Israel - and some Jews would say that the reaction 'is not in my name'. Martin Gomberg of Interfaith Wolverhampton joined Chris Allen and Gurpri Bains live on WCR FM to discuss these sensitive issues. Martin has a wealth of wisdom that has shaped religious education in Wolverhampton, and has the honour of leading the Kaddish prayer on Holocaust Memorial Day, remembering all acts of genocide. It should never be forgotten that the situation in Gaza grew out of a terrorist attack on 7th October 2023 by Hamas that killed over 1,200 men, women and children - also taking over 250 hostages.

Is, though, the reaction by the State of Israel a disproportionate reaction? Many would say so. That has led to a rise in anti-semitism (the hatred of Jews) despite the fact that the Jewish community is a separate entity to the State of Israel - and some Jews would say that the reaction 'is not in my name'.

Martin Gomberg of Interfaith Wolverhampton joined Chris Allen and Gurpri Bains live on WCR FM to discuss these sensitive issues. Martin has a wealth of wisdom that has shaped religious education in Wolverhampton, and has the honour of leading the Kaddish prayer on Holocaust Memorial Day, remembering all acts of genocide.

https://hmd.org.uk/

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Zalika Gilkes - Rastafarianism Gupri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Zalika Gilkes o425-5866-6880da1d6e24e chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:19:16 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ July 23rd is a very important date for followers of the Rastafarian Faith as it is the birthday of Haile Selassie I. Zalika Gilkes joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in WCR FM’s studios to talk about her life and her Rastafarian faith. Zalika is pictured alongside newsreader, William Coorey. July 23rd is a very important date for followers of the Rastafarian Faith as it is the birthday of Haile Selassie I.

Zalika Gilkes joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in WCR FM’s studios to talk about her life and her Rastafarian faith.

Zalika is pictured alongside newsreader, William Coorey.

Links:

A short biography of Haile Selassie I also providing links to his speeches: https://ethiopiancrown.org/biography-emperor-haile-selassie-i

Important quotes from Haile Selassie I: https://elevatesociety.com/quotes-by-haile-selassie/ 

The House of Emperor Haile Selassie I: https://www.fairfieldhousebath.co.uk

Rastafarian Cultural and Welfare Community Association: https://rastacommunity.org/about/

Research about Haile Selassie I: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/haile-selassie-i

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Sandra Samuels OBE DL - Windrush Chris Allen and Gurpri Bains in conversation with Sandra Samuels OBE DL for Windrush o425-5866-6871020c0e899 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:22:36 +0000 0:27:53 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Windrush Day was marked and celebrated on 22nd June 2025 with a flag raising ceremony and the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of Wolverhampton’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes. Central to those celebrations was former Wolverhampton Mayor, Sandra Samuels OBE, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands. She spoke to Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen about her personal journey, the importance of Windrush and the ongoing challenge to make sure that Black History is seen as British History. Windrush Day was marked and celebrated on 22nd June 2025 with a flag raising ceremony and the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of Wolverhampton’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes.

Central to those celebrations was former Wolverhampton Mayor, Sandra Samuels OBE, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

She spoke to Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen about her personal journey, the importance of Windrush and the ongoing challenge to make sure that Black History is seen as British History.
 

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Kiranjit Janagal and Gurjeet Malhi - Keeping People Well Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Kiranjit Janagal and Gurjeet Malhi o425-5866-6869a54aabf34 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 29 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:29:30 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Kiranjit Janagal (mental health expert and Wolverhampton TedX speaker) and Gurjeet Malhi (GP and Dentist) are two of the directors of Keeping People Well Community Interest Company. They joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen on WCR FM to talk about a more holistic approach to healing that takes more time - but leads to less prescriptions. Kiranjit Janagal (mental health expert and Wolverhampton TedX speaker) and Gurjeet Malhi (GP and Dentist) are two of the directors of Keeping People Well Community Interest Company.

They joined Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen on WCR FM to talk about a more holistic approach to healing that takes more time - but leads to less prescriptions.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepingpeoplewell/

Kiranjit’s Tedx Wolverhampton talk: https://youtu.be/-Qb2Mu0wwfM?feature=shared

Website: https://keepingpeoplewell.com

 

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Shardia O'Connor Shardia O'Connor in conversation with Chris Allen and Gurpri Bains o425-5866-68588e4b101f0 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 22 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:29:24 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Shardia O’Connor shares the experiences and insights of her life and background with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen. They explore their life journeys from their respective cultural backgrounds as they celebrate the diverse and integrated city that is Wolverhampton. They also explore the stereotypes that people place on others, and the way we can stereotype ourselves. Shardia’s business is Shades of Reality through which she sees to help people explore their identity, culture and the need to ‘unlearn’. Shardia O’Connor shares the experiences and insights of her life and background with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen.

They explore their life journeys from their respective cultural backgrounds as they celebrate the diverse and integrated city that is Wolverhampton.

They also explore the stereotypes that people place on others, and the way we can stereotype ourselves.

Shardia’s business is Shades of Reality through which she sees to help people explore their identity, culture and the need to ‘unlearn’.

https://www.shadesofreality.co.uk

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Sofia Ayub - Refugee week 2025 Sofia Ayub chats to Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen about issues affecting refugees and migrants. o425-5866-685e68f96dd99 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 22 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:27:38 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Refugee Week 2025 Sofia Ayub chats to Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen about issues affecting refugees and migrants. She also announces the launch of the new transfusion appeal “Bloody Foreigners”. Refugee Week 2025

Sofia Ayub chats to Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen about issues affecting refugees and migrants.

She also announces the launch of the new transfusion appeal “Bloody Foreigners”.

rmcentre.org.uk

https://rmcentre.org.uk/bloody-foreigners/

https://www.blood.co.uk

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Ruth Uppal Ruth talks about how her faith shapes her business o425-5866-684701a345d80 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:45:39 +0000 0:22:57 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Ruth is the owner of the “Cup of Joy” Coffee House and Eatery that began in Penn and is also now in her church, which is “All Nations” on Temple Street in Wolverhampton. Ruth talks about how her faith shapes her business and the offer made to the community, especially to some of its most vulnerable members. Recorded during a live broadcast on WCR FM on Pentecost Sunday, Ruth also talks about the importance of the Holy Spirit in her life. Ruth is the owner of the “Cup of Joy” Coffee House and Eatery that began in Penn and is also now in her church, which is “All Nations” on Temple Street in Wolverhampton.

Ruth talks about how her faith shapes her business and the offer made to the community, especially to some of its most vulnerable members.

Recorded during a live broadcast on WCR FM on Pentecost Sunday, Ruth also talks about the importance of the Holy Spirit in her life.

https://www.cupsofjoy.co.uk

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Imam Mohammad Asad MBE Gupri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Imam Mohammad Asad MBE o425-5866-68406a288abe8 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:29:50 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Gupri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Imam Mohammad Asad MBE in the build up to the festival of Eid ul Adha. Residents across Wolverhampton are invited to join the fifth annual Eid in the Park on Friday 6 June 2025 at West Park (WV1 4BE). Hosted by Jamia Masjid Al-Aqsa Wolverhampton Central Mosque, the event marks the holy occasion of Eid ul-Adha – a day of sacrifice, unity, and gratitude. Gates open at 9:00am, with speeches at 10:00am, followed by Eid Salah at 10:30am and the Khutbah. Attendees are encouraged to use the Devon Road and Landsdowne Road entrances to access the prayer area. Gupri Bains and Chris Allen in conversation with Imam Mohammad Asad MBE in the build up to the festival of Eid ul Adha.

Residents across Wolverhampton are invited to join the fifth annual Eid in the Park on Friday 6 June 2025 at West Park (WV1 4BE). Hosted by Jamia Masjid Al-Aqsa Wolverhampton Central Mosque, the event marks the holy occasion of Eid ul-Adha – a day of sacrifice, unity, and gratitude.

Gates open at 9:00am, with speeches at 10:00am, followed by Eid Salah at 10:30am and the Khutbah. Attendees are encouraged to use the Devon Road and Landsdowne Road entrances to access the prayer area.

linkedin.com/in/imam-mohammad-asad-mbe-71a856355

 

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Pride in the Pack Helen Albanese and David Waterfield in conversation with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen o425-5866-683d6eba108be chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 25 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:23:19 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ Helen Albanese and David Waterfield co-chairs of the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC official LGBTQIA+ supporters group "Pride in the Pack", in conversation with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen, looking forward to Wolverhampton Pride. Helen Albanese and David Waterfield co-chairs of the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC official LGBTQIA+ supporters group "Pride in the Pack", in conversation with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen, looking forward to Wolverhampton Pride.

prideinthe1pack@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no Kelsang Deden Kadampa Buddhist Nun, Kelsang Deden, in conversation with Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen o425-5866-68318a5241342 chris@wcrfm.com (Chris Allen) Sun, 18 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000 0:26:36 https://www.wcrfm.com/podcasts/celebrating-wolverhampton/ In the first episode of this series celebrating the diversity of Wolverhampton, Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen are joined by Kadampa Buddhist Nun, Kelsang Deden. In the conversation, Deden mentions the festival of Vesak. Vesak, also known as Buddha Day or Wesak, is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebrating the Buddha's teachings of peace, compassion, and tolerance.  The meeting place for various courses in Wolverhampton is at 6.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House on Summerfield Road. “May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from suffering” In the first episode of this series celebrating the diversity of Wolverhampton, Gurpri Bains and Chris Allen are joined by Kadampa Buddhist Nun, Kelsang Deden.

In the conversation, Deden mentions the festival of Vesak.

Vesak, also known as Buddha Day or Wesak, is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebrating the Buddha's teachings of peace, compassion, and tolerance. 

The meeting place for various courses in Wolverhampton is at 6.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House on Summerfield Road.

“May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from suffering”

]]> Podcasts Wolverhampton Community Radio Training no Wolverhampton, diversity no