Our History

Since 1950s a number of Asians came to UK to settle down and to make this country their home. With the forced exodus of East African Asians in 1967 and subsequent years a substantial number settled in Leicester. Amongst this migration were a sizeable number of Mochi families who had their roots originating from Surat/Valsad and Bharuch  districts of Gujarat, India. 

The Mochi community in the old days had shoemaking  as their principal occupation. Over the generations they have gone away from their main professions and are spread into lots of businesses and professions.
These families in Leicester   having grown and to meet their needs and preserve their identity and culture a number of volunteers got together and after discussions agreed to set up an organisation. 

During a visit to Leicester of President  of Surat Valsad Jilla Parishad  Mr  Manilal B Arya from India ,and Mohanlal D Champaneri from Zambia during 1970/72 having met up with few willing mochi  community members,  our first community association was established.  Late Ichhubhai  Lalabhai was appointed the first ad-hoc President and Sumantrai Parmar an ad-hoc secretary.  Unfortunately no other activities took place with this organisation since its first meeting.

On 21st January 1973, 13 community members met at Late Nathubhai Jagjivan’s House and a commitment was made that a community association be formed.  At a general meeting held on 13th May 1973 attended by 105 persons, a constitution in Gujarati  prepared earlier was formally approved and the name of Gujarati Arya Association Leicester was unanimously adopted.  Elections took place and first management committee were formally elected. A comprehensive list and addresses of our community members residing in Leicester and surrounding areas was printed and distributed . Membership to the Association was by different categories of fees, viz. Ordinary , patron and life memberships.

 The Association  first published its newsletter  “Arya Patrika” on 1st November 1974, and organised Navratri  and Diwali functions regularly having hired local community centres and school halls. The Committee meetings were initially held at committee members’ houses , and then in neighbourhood centres. First Community lunch programme was held at the Edward Wood Hall on London Road in 1975. The association’s youngsters got together and under the umbrella of Gujarati Arya Association , Leicester formed Aryans Sports and Social Club. They organised cricket matches and won a number of prestigious Local  and Mahasabha League matches.

First Printed and bound directory was published in 1977. GAA –Leicester was instrumental in the formation of the Mochi umbrella body- Gujarati Kshatriya Mahasabha UK. The original constitution in Gujarati was amended and translated in English and the association was formally registered with The Charity Commission on 10th July 1984. Mahila  Mandal was formally formed in 1984 to cater for the interests and activities of our community ladies.
 
With the co-operation of the community the association purchased the freehold property at 107 Loughborough Road, Leicester at a cost of £38,000 for its use from the capital of the Association.
In 1991 Association sold the premises at 107 Loughborough Road, Leicester and from its proceeds and with the great support of the community fund raising as well as the share issue scheme the existing property at 49 Hildyard Road, Leicester and the car park opposite it was purchased . The building used to be an admin office of BUSM . The community through relentless hard work converted the office into a community centre with an attractive bar and kitchen facilties.

The Community Centre has been used for weddings, engagements, private parties , community religious functions . Gujarati Arya Association- Leicester is one of the leading Gujarati Community group in Leicester having membership of nearly 900 families making up over 3,500 in population.