Community

CULTURE • EDUCATION • CARE • ENTERTAINMENT • FUN

The Apple Tree Centre is a community project created by the Gurjar Hindu Union (GHU), a minority ethnic led charitable organisation serving Crawley, near Gatwick in West Sussex. Established in 1968, GHU serves the needs of the local Indian community and also looks to share the rich cultural and spiritual history of India more widely in society through local initiatives, events and experiences such as the popular ‘Crawley Mela’ cultural festival.

• Cultural activities for children, such as dance and languages.
• Sacred ceremonies and Arti in the Mandir (temple) every day.
• Activities for the elderly.
• Cultural activites and religious festivals.

GHU is volunteering led and has established itself as a well-run, sustainable organisation. Through prudent financial management and funds raised from within its own community, GHU has managed to provide a first rate building serving the needs both of the Indian community and the people of Crawley.

The magnificent Sanatan Mandir (spiritual centre) is a place of worship for the whole Hindu community, while the adjoining Apple Tree Centre offers not just excellent business, celebration and sporting use but also gives the wider community a range of new opportunities:

• A day care centre for older people
• Basic skills training in subjects including English and IT
• Culture classes including classic and modern Indian dance and language
• Cultural activities including Indian cookery demonstrations, healthy living and music recitals
• Cultural celebrations including Diwali, Holi, and Navrati.