downsmail.co.uk Town rocks to Mela
THE 12th Maidstone Mela burst on to the streets of Maidstone to drum up support for the Sunday festival in Mote Park. About 400 children from seven schools joined a Friday parade through the town centre, from County Hall to Brenchley Gardens. It showcased arts and music from
a range of bands, including the Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Bloco Fogo samba band. Two days later, the bands emerged again as part of a colour- ful song and dance extravaganza, which attracted record numbers to what is now the largest culturally diverse arts festival in Kent. It featured talented local singing
trio Imminent, the Kitka Bulgarian Folk Dance Group, Bollywood Blast, Gypsy Stars and the Cohe- sion Plus produced “Afro-Bhangra Fusion”. The headline actwas award-win-
ning singer Ruby Turner. In addi- tion there were more than 50 stalls selling food and products from around the world, with informa- tion stands provided by public and voluntary sector partners. The event is organised in a part- nership between KCC, Maidstone Council, Cohesion Plus and Kent
Equality Cohesion Council. Gurvinder Sandher, artistic di-
rector of the Mela, said: “I have been working on the Mela since its inception in 2003 and this yearwas our biggest attendance to date. “The Maidstone Mela has
evolved into one of the biggest cul- turally diverse celebrations in Kent and underlines how the arts can be used to bring different communi- ties together. “The Mela is now an established
date in the Maidstone diary and has grown so much since its incep- tion andwe are very grateful to the on-going support being provided by all partners, volunteers and the local community for enabling this to happen.”
News
‘tastings’ idea CHEGWORTH Valley Juices wants to establish a farm shop atWater Lane Farm near Harrietsham. A planning application is for a
Farm shop and
coffee shop and tastings area and a new access and parking area. It adds that the juices, which
are produced on-site, have been sold “at various farmers’ markets and from a modest and tempo- rary structure during just a few weeks during the summer”. It continued: “Now, however, he
wishes to establish a permanent outlet to help with the diversifica- tion of his holding and to main- tain its viability and add value. “A large variety of fresh produce
will be sold within the farm shop that will have been grown and produced directly from the appli- cant’s holdings at Water Lane Farm and from his other farms at East Sutton, Offham and East Far- leigh. A small amount of produce not grown on the holdings will be sourced from other outlets. “The farm shop will contain an
KCC chairman Peter Homewood with his escort Sue Baldock, stiltwalkers and drummers
area for the sampling and con- sumption of farm and other produce, with refreshments.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.
01622 738772
7 Yeoman Court, Ashford Rd Bearsted, Kent ME14 4ND
www.directorshairandbeauty.co.uk
Late night Thurs
Introductory 50% Off Offer
Maidstone East October 2014 Cut & Finish*
*Valid until October 31, 2014. Can not be used in conjunction with any other offers. for all new clients on production of this advert
3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64