The popular Maidstone Community Mela which has been taking place in the borough since 2003 moves to a new venue this year in Whatman Park. The Community Mela which has been organised by Cohesion Plus working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council, local partners and volunteers will be taking place on Sunday July 16th between 12.30pm to 6pm.
An exciting programme of activity has been arranged both on and off stage including performances by The Emeralds Steel Band, Reel Eire Irish Dancing, Kitka Bulgarian Folk, Maidstone Nepalese Community, Four by Four Bhangra, Leading Internationally renowned Ed Sheeran Tribute Act Jack Shepherd and global Bhangra superstar Jassi Sidhu amongst others. While off stage there will be a range of activities including drumming workshops, face painting, visual creative arts workshops as well as a range of food from around the world.
According to Gurvinder Sandher the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus who is leading on the Community Mela: “It has been a real challenge to get the Community Mela to this stage as Maidstone Borough Council are no longer involved in terms of funding and organising. I am fully aware as I have been involved in the Mela since its inception that it would normally take place on the second Sunday of September. However, due to a lack of availability of Mote Park and also the limited funding we have got, this year the Community Mela will take place in Whatman Park. We are still actively seeking sponsors to help bridge the shortfall in our funding and we very much hope that the local community will come out and support this fantastic event, otherwise there is a real danger it will disappear from the calendar which would be a real shame as I have been working to build up the Mela since 2003.”