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Mela celebrates town’s diversity and values


THEMaidstoneCommunityMela was a scorcher both on and off- stage atWhatman Park. Thousands turned up for the


county town’s annualmulti-cultural festival of song, food and dance. Aftermonths of fundraising by or-


ganisers Cohesion Plus and volun- teers, the event was opened by Maidstone’s Mayor Cllr David Naghi andMPHelenGrant. MrsGrantMPspoke of theMela’s


importance and paid tribute to for- mermayorMorelD’Souza, founder of the Mela, who died earlier this year.Acommemorative plaquewas presented to hiswife Karin. Mela artistic director Gurvinder


Sandher toldfestival-goers itwasMr D’Souza’sdreamfor an event bring- ing communities together to cele- brate their own uniqueness and shared British values. The day saw music, food and


dance fromall corners of the globe, including stage performers Dance Asia, Kitka Bulgarian Folk Dance, Maidstone Nepalese Community


AMalayee dancer at theMela


Group, Reel Eire Irish Dancers, Brazilian trio Lambrego and Cohe- sion Plus’s own Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective. The event was headlined by


world-renownedBobMarley tribute act Tanni Browne.


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Mr Sandher said: “Finding the


funds to deliver the Mela has been an uphill struggle, to say the least. “However, we were determined


to bring the event back toMaidstone and judging by the attendance, we were right to do so.” He said theMela had lost funding


from Maidstone Borough Council, adding: “Valuable support has been providedby community groups and volunteers towhomwe are incredi- bly grateful. Their support bolstered our drive tomake sure theMelawas the best it could be.” Mrs Grant said: “We’re a marvel-


lous community, all living and workingharmoniously, andwe send a powerful message to a country hurt by the divisions of Brexit and a world needing a counterpoint to ris- ing nationalismand xenophobia. “CllrD’Souzawas a visionary and


his Mela must be preserved. I will be pressing for some local authority re-thinking about their decision to support a separate festival at the ap- parent expense of ourMela.”


News Apple festival


POPULAR attraction Kent Life in Maidstone holds its Apple & Cider Fayre on October 6 and 7, 2018, to celebrate the annual harvest. Many varieties of apple, some 500


years old, are hand-pickedfromhis- toric orchards days before the festi- val. Visitors can try 35 varieties of apple as they enjoy livemusic. Admissionprices are: adults £9.95,


children (3 to 15 years) £8.25, con- cessions £8.95, family ticket (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children) £32.95. Under threes andmembers free. For further information, call 01622 763936 or visitwww.kentlife.org.uk


Stabbing case WITNESSES are being sought to a stabbing in Maidstone that left a manwith serious injuries. The 36-year-old, fromMaidstone,


was foundwith a stomach injury on the forecourt of the town's Peugeot dealership inMill Street at just after 3amon Sunday,August 19.Hewas taken to a London hospital, where he was later said to be in a serious but stable condition. Anyonewhowas in the area at the


time and saw any suspicious activ- ity should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 19-0208.


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Maidstone East September 2018 27


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