THE FIRST ever member of the royal family visited Warwickshire’s largest Sikh temple.
HRH The Princess Royal paid a visit to the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick.
The temple opened in its present location in 2009 and it is the first time it has had a royal visit.
Princess Anne toured the Gurdwara and met a number of community volunteers. She heard about the Sikh principle of ‘Sewa’ (selfless service) which underpins the community’s outreach across Warwickshire and beyond.
The Princess Royal also saw first-hand the operation of the Langar, the free community kitchen unique to the Sikh faith, which serves hot vegetarian meals daily to both worshippers and visitors, regardless of faith.
She was accompanied by Tim Cox, the lord lieutenant of Warwickshire. She also met Penny Cox, Pal Singh Sanghera, the vice lord-lieutenant, Warwickshire high sheriff Karen Lynch, as well as other local civic leaders.
Gurdwara general secretary Jaswant Singh Virdee said: “This visit is a moment of pride, not only for Sikhs in Warwickshire but for the wider community we serve. The principle of Sewa – selfless service – guides our work, from providing meals to those in need to supporting charitable initiatives wherever there is need.”
Before leaving, Princess Anne unveiled a plaque and was presented with a bouquet of flowers by two girls from the congregation and a pupil from Evergreen School.
