At the Belgrave library knitting group, it is heartening to catch a conversation laced with Punjabi and Hindi between Sikh ladies and their Gujarati friends. “After spending decades in the city, I understand Gujarati very well and can speak key phrases. Who says language is a barrier? We all blend harmoniously with each other. That is the beauty of Leicester, ” Simran Kaur, 72 says in her calm Punjabi, while her fingers furiously work the needles on a sweater.

It's been nearly 20 years since this weekly meet up session was set up and it has grown to accommodate more members since then. Niruben Pankhaniya, a veteran knitter, says the group is vital especially for those struggling to fill a void in their lives after the death of their husbands.

Seventy-three-old Pushpaben nods in agreement. “Coming to the group is often the highlight of the week for me. These ladies have been so warm and welcoming even though I did not know them at all. Since I love knitting, my daughter thought it would be nice to spend time with them. Otherwise I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” she says. 

There is a ripple of excitement when Niruben opens up a brightly coloured box of pedas. Clearly, congratulations are in order. “So, what is the occasion?” asks Manjit Kaur, 72, looking up from her knitting.

“A new grandchild,” says Niruben, her face lighting up like the Diwali lights, as she passes the box around. The air fills up with “Mubarakan!” and “Congratulations!” as the box gets passed on and the contents happily consumed.

Meeting up here gives the ladies a sense of camaraderie and independence. A member’s birthday is often marked with a trip to the local restaurant after the morning session. 

“There is a variety of food options on Belgrave road and we love going to Dakshin and Shiv Sagar. It feels good to get out like this by ourselves without relying on family,” says Jasu Taylor, 73, who lives on Cooper Street.

While many friendships have been made here, some connections go back decades like that of Manju Panchal, 72, and Nirmala Chauhan, 73, who have known each other for more than 50 years. “We set off from Kenya and came to Leicester together and have kept in touch.” says Mrs Panchal with a touch of nostalgia.

“We value relationships”, Mrs Panchal says, and seventy-two-year old-Manjit Kaur agrees. She and her knitting buddy (a Sikh lady who preferred to remain anonymous) met at the factory where they worked together as newly arrived married women and have been friends since. 

As the clock strikes 12, the knitting projects are folded up and the needles are pushed back into the wool. The women say their goodbyes, some planning to pick up groceries on their way home. “I have Morrisons and Asda near my house, but it is only on Belgrave Road that I can get my methi,” says Nirmal Pankhaniya, pushing the chair back in. 

Bound by a common hobby, it is this tapestry of intricately woven relationships and cultures that makes this multicultural city special. 

Working through their scarves and baby blankets, talk often ranges from discussing new knitting patterns, to sharing political news and then sharing homemade remedies for various ailments.