downsmail.co.uk


Publichelps the return ofMela


edTHE organisers of the Maid- stone Community Mela have thanked the public for their sup- port as preparations hot up for this year’s event. They say the event, which has


been running since 2013, will be “bigger and better”, despite fund- ing challenges which at one stage put the day in doubt. But funding fromAwards forAll,


the KCC Members Fund, Golding Homes and the publicmean it is all systems go for the event at What- man Park on Sunday July 22. Gurvinder Sandher, artistic direc-


tor of organisers Cohesion Plus, said: “Delivering theMela has been a long and hard road this yearwith funding very thin on the ground. “However, the outpouring of sup-


port from the public for the Maid- stone Community Mela has really helped bolster our commitment to delivering the event again. “It is so necessary to host a Mela


that truly reflects the diverse com- munities of the borough, and we will always hold firm to the belief


that events such as the Mela pro- mote community cohesion celebrat- ing shared British values.” Among the highlights of the stage


programme are Brazilians Lam- brego, Dance Asia Bollywood per- formers, Chinese dancing lions, the Maidstone Nepalese Community Group, Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective and leading Bob Marley tribute Tann-I Browne. There will also be food from


around the world and interactive arts activity all around the event. Mr Sandher added: “Everyone is


welcome at theMela and we really look forward to showing the public our great artistic and food offering this year.”


News Firmbacks tree project


THE Gallagher Group in Maidstone has teamed up with the town’s Ro- tary Club to plant 100 trees in Barming. The trees have been planted close to a bridle path inwoodland around


Hermitage Quarry, owned andmanaged by the company. A plaque commemorat-


ing the venture now marks the spot and was unveiled byMaidstone Ro- tarians Cllr Martin Cox, Cllr Bryan Vizzard and Car- oline and Alan Newman. Maidstone Rotarians


are taking part in the or- ganisation’s international bid to plant 2.3 million trees around the globe – one for each member. They asked Gallagher’s whether it would find a home for the trees. But instead of just vol-


unteering some space for the trees, Gallagher also bought the trees and do- nated the £250 raised by the group for the project to the Heart of Kent Hos- pice. Nick Yandle, of Gal-


lagher Group, said: “It was a pleasure to help with such a worthy initiative from Rotarians and great that the Heart of Kent Hospice fund raising initiative was also able to benefit.”


Cllr Bryan Vizzard (right) hands the cheque for £250 to Nick Yandle, of Gallagher Group


Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers


• Free valuations • Regular fine & general auctions • Probate & Insurance specialists • Home visits


Henry Scott Tuke (1858-1929) watercolour Sold for £5,000


Summer Activities School 30th July to 3rd August 2018 6th August to 10th August 2018 9.30am to 4.30pm*


Is your child bored during the Summer Holidays? Why don’t they join our Summer Activities School which has been very popular for the last two decades. Our programme represents value for money whilst offering your child lots of fun and a good opportunity to make new friends.


Fun packed activities for Ages 8 to 14


• Arts & Craft • Badminton • Basketball • Cookery • Five-a-side Football • Kwik Cricket • Mini Hockey


• Short Tennis • Swimming • Table Tennis • Volleyball Single week: £110 Two weeks: £200 Daily: £30


If you are interested in applying for a place for your child or children, please complete the application form available on the school website and send it along with your payment to Maidstone Grammar School for the attention of the Bursary.


* Breakfast Club 8.30am to 9.30am additional fee of £7.50 per day applies Book early to avoid disappointment Speak to our specialists about selling your Fine Art


0800 881 5691 clientservices@gorringes.co.uk


15 North Street - Lewes - BN7 2PE www.gorringes.co.uk


Tel: 01622 752101 Email: finance@mgs-kent.org.uk Website: www.mgs.kent.sch.uk


Maidstone Grammar School, Barton Road, Maidstone, Kent. ME15 7BT


Maidstone July 2018 13


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