Hearing people's memories of celebrations across the years is a wonderful way to celebrate special moments. Therefore as we approach Eid-ul-Adha this year we are asking people to share their first Eid memories in Bolton.

Here is a memory from Ibrahim Kala:

My first Eid, I remember was at Zakaria Masjid, in Peace Street, Bolton.

It was in the 1970s and I remember going with my dad and just playing in the open plan first floor prayer area. Whilst the adults prayed, children played in the background.

We then walked it back home to our house a few streets away on Isabel Street.

In the 1980s when the congregations could not all fit into their individual places of worship, there was a period when Eid prayers were being performed at Silverwell Street Sports Centre (also known as Drill Hall). This was an indoor venue in the middle of Bolton Town Centre. Thousands would gather here from most, if not all mosques from across Bolton.

Here is a memory from Jasim Irani:

I remember we lived at 13 Derby Street, Bolton, and not many people had phones back then - 1963/64. We would get notification by telegram that it was Eid the next day and we had to go round telling people, it would be a last minute rush for preparations.

Eid Namaz was prayed at the Town Hall. Most houses did not have baths so you had to use the public baths, it was best to go a day before so as to not be rushed or late for the morning and Eid prayers. If you were sacrificing an animal then you usually went to the farm which would take up most of the day. After that it was back home to greet the family and for a feast. Family and friends would all congregate at 13 Derby Street even those from nearby towns. The women would cook together while the children played out if the weather was good, the men chatted and played Carromboard and Draughts and occasionally if the weather was really nice and hot, we’d go to Blackpool for the day.

Here is a memory from Sairah Swaleh:

Running up to Eid was always hectic and exciting no matter how much the preparation!

For our mum it was really busy as she spent most of her time preparing the food for the day.

During the run up to Eid Al Fitr (Ramadan) lots of sweet snacks were made and meals cooked. We excitedly waited for dad to come home after Eid prayers as that meant we would get money - Eidi- In those days it wasn’t much but as a child it felt like you were rich and we were able to spend it on whatever we wanted.

During Eid Al Adah (Hajj) sacrificial meat (cow/sheep or goat) would be cooked in range of dishes from curry, biryani or kebabs etc. accompanied with rice or chapati.

On the day of Eid we got up early to offer morning (fijr) prayers. Our dad and brother would make their way to the mosque to offer the morning prayers and stayed on by offering Eid prayers an hour or so later. It was a very exciting day for us as myself and my 3 younger sisters would get dressed up in our pretty new dresses (which our dad made for us).

By the time our dad and brother returned we would all be ready to greet each other with hugging and embracing each other saying “Eid Mubarak“.

Mum would then serve us sweet “Eid milk” (with nuts and vermicelli) and snacks. After we would all sit down to have our special lunch.

During the course of the day family and friends would pop by to greet us on Eid day- they would sit and chat, and have Eid milk and snacks with us.

One particular Eid I remember is going to the Eid prayers with my dad, brother and a few of his friends. It was at the Town Hall and an African gentleman had his photo taken with me and my dads friends outside after the prayers.

Share your Eid stories and images with us on social media tagging the Octagon or by emailing info@octagonbolton.co.uk

• Tag us on Instagram & Twitter - @octagontheatre
• Tag us on Facebook @OctagonTheatreBolton

Wishing all of our Muslim audiences, participants and friends a joyous Eid filled with laughter and happiness. Eid Mubarak!

Thank you to Bolton's Sunnyside Club & Bolton Asian Migration for sharing the images and memory in this blog.