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downsmail.co.uk Mela takes to town’s streets
MAIDSTONE’Sculturally-diverse Mela is going on the move. The Mela, which takes place in September each year, will be mov- ing from Mote Park to the town cen- tre, with a new format which is designed to reach out to wider au- diences. The Mela was introduced in 2002
to build a better understanding be- tween local communities and cele- brate the diversity of Maidstone’s residents. Featuring music, dance and food
from around the globe, the Sunday afternoon event quickly became a successful, well-respected and cul- turally diverse celebration. But with the town’s changing population – and the need to make the Mela financially self-sustaining – organisers now plan to take the festival to the masses. The first Maidstone Street Mela
will be a celebration of culturally di- verse arts, with street performances and interactive arts workshops. It will take place at venues around
the town centre on Saturday, Sep- tember 10. Cllr Gordon Newton, chairman of Maidstone Council’s heritage, cul- ture and leisure committee, said moving the Mela would re-energise
GDF Productions performing at the Maidstone Mela last year
the festival. He said: “In view of the changing communities and the competing demands on us as a local authority, it is time to considerwhat the Mela represents and what for- mat it should take. “Research will help to clarify this
and investigate how it can be funded to make it sustainable.” The council will be consulting
with the local communities who have been engaged through the Maidstone Mela Advisory Group and aims to meet those communi- ties that never have been or are no longer engaged and ask them for their input. Cllr Newton said: “Since 2002, the town and its population have
changed considerably. This is a good opportunity to update and re- energise this great event, to reach new audiences and to bring to- gether more people to enjoy music, dance and food from within our multi-cultural community.”
Ofsted praise
A PRE-SCHOOL in Ditton has been praised for its outstanding performance. An across-the-board outstanding
rating for Ditton Church Pre- School follows its good rating at its last Ofsted inspection. The inspector praised the inspi- rational role the manager set for staff and the exceptional quality of teaching at Ditton Church Centre, adding: “All children make rapid progress from their starting points and are extremely well-prepared for the next stage in learning, with staff highly effective in building on children’s interests.” It concluded that the excellent re- lationship between staff and par- ents helped meet children’s needs.
Roadshow family talk
DAVIDSandon, son of Henry and brother of John ofBBCOne’sAn- tiques Roadshow fame, will talk at St John the Baptist Church,Wa- teringbury at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 23. While Henry and John appear in front of the cameras, David and
the rest of the family are all interested in antiques and often attend filming days. He will be relating some of the more memorable and humorous moments. Tickets are £6 for adults, £4 concessions from Sheena Stewart on 01732 873737, andWateringbury Post Office.
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16 Malling April 2016 01634 682928
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