parallel lives are, whether we like it or not, a fact to be coped with, rather than ‘solved’.

Down the ages, people of different cultures, ethnic origins and religious denominations have tended to live alongside those of similar backgrounds.

Go to any American immigrant city, for instance, and you’ll find the Italian, Irish or the Chinese quarter. During the British Empire, Brits abroad were, and in many parts of Southern Europe still are, famous for living separately from the local populations.

It should therefore be no surprise that in East Lancashire there are distinctive ‘Asian’ areas and ‘white’ areas. Indeed, so strong are the subconscious ties to be with those of one’s own kind, that many settlements within the Asian areas reflect the particular parts of India or Pakistan from where the original migrant settlers were drawn.

But whilst we should understand why people end up living in relatively separate communities, it is not healthy if it is taken too far. Towns and cities are not just collections of buildings, but communities with shared values and cultures which should transcend ethnic and religious boundaries.

What happened outside Blackburn Town Hall on Saturday night was one brilliant example of how these boundaries can come down.

According to Tuesday’s Lancashire Telegraph, when a group of Muslim friends observing Ramadhan decided to break their fast in this municipal public space, hundreds of others, including many non-Muslims, joined in.

They shared not just the food that was available but, even more importantly, the spirit of the occasion as well.

The diverse group who ended up eating together included a large group of homeless people who’d been invited, a number of hungry pub-goers and curious passers-by.

Great Harwood councillor Noordad Aziz was quoted as saying: “It was so warm and friendly. Everyone who was involved went home happy. It was so inspiring I hope we can do it bigger and better next year.”

I hope so too. And the silver lining may be much greater use of the town centre in the evenings – a theme to which I shall be returning later in the year.