The Maidstone Community Mela was officially launched at kalaRED Bar Restaurant on Wednesday 12th June. The event was attended by key partners including representatives from local community groups, businesses, Kent County Council, Kent Police and Maidstone Borough Council. The chief guests were the Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Marion Ring and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mrs. Louise Bryant.

The Community Mela is organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Maidstone Cultural Group and is produced by Cohesion Plus.

The purpose of the launch was to update partners around the plans for the Community Mela which this year will take place on Sunday July 14th in Whatman Park and to talk through the programme of activity both on stage and off stage. The Mela has been taking place in the borough since 2003 and despite many financial challenges in recent years has managed to survive and evolve.

Gurvinder Sandher the Maidstone Community Mela Producer commented “I have been involved with the Mela since its inception. I am proud of how local community groups and businesses have rallied around in recent years to support us in ensuring the Mela continues in Maidstone. We have put together an excellent programme both on and off stage this year and hope that the local community will come and support it on July 14th”