Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Saint Georges Primary School

  • Wrotham Festival of Light wows for its 12th year of celebrations

    Wrotham Festival of Light wows for its 12th year of celebrations

    Wrotham Festival of Light wows for its 12th year of celebrations

    The much-anticipated Wrotham Festival of Light returned on Friday 10th October, bringing the communities of Wrotham together once again, lighting up the village with colour and community spirit. Now in its 12th year, the beloved annual event continues to draw hundreds of attendees from Wrotham and the surrounding areas.

    Supported by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, the festival was delivered in partnership with Cohesion Plus, Saint George’s Primary School, and Same Sky Arts, with additional support from Arts Council England and Wrotham Parish Council.

    The spectacular lantern parade was led by the Deputy Lieutenant Louise Bryant, and Saint George’s Primary School Headteacher Elizabeth Rye. They were joined by hundreds of children, parents, and guardians as the parade journeyed from Saint George’s Church to the village cricket ground.

    The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display by local business Phoenix Fireworks, lighting up the night sky to the delight of all in attendance.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented
    “The Wrotham Festival of Light is always a special event for us to deliver as it not only marks the launch of our autumn and winter programme, it also allows us an opportunity to deliver community activity in the heart of a rural setting. It’s a joy to create opportunities for children and their families to take part in these unique celebrations. As always, I’m deeply thankful to our partners and to everyone who came out to support the event.”

  • The Wrotham Festival of Light is back!

    The Wrotham Festival of Light is back!

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council was proud to work in partnership to deliver the Wrotham Festival of Light which took place on Friday 15th October. The event returned after a 2 year absence. The festival brought exciting outdoor culturally diverse art to a rural, community setting, connecting communities both young and old alike.

    n the build-up pupils at Saint George’s Primary School created lanterns around the themes of friendship, local heroes, community and tolerance working with Same Sky.

    The first half of the festival saw attendees come together outside Saint George’s Church to enjoy performances by culturally diverse artists. Then followed the Lantern Parade led by special guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Nadrah Ahmed OBE and Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Sue Bell. The parade went through the village which was decorated by wonderful natured themed light installations. The festivities climaxed at the Cricket Ground where the crowds were dazzled by a spectacular fireworks display by Phoenix Fireworks.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was so great to see so many people out supporting the Wrotham Festival of Light. Before Covid the festival had become really popular and if anything, we had even more people join us today which is a real positive. Events like this bring communities together and promote a sense of community and belonging and I am proud of what we have achieved.”

  • Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light

    Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light

    Bright lights and colourful vegetable inspired lanterns lit up a chilly autumn night in the rural village of Wrotham on Friday 14th of October. The Wrotham Festival of Light which is now in its fourth year was opened by Phase 5 Steel Band outside St. Georges Church; they were followed by African ensemble Uzambezi, Four by Four Bhangra Dancers and Blogo Fogo Samba.

    Following the performances the lantern parade which celebrated the diversity of Kent and the Harvest Festival made its way through the village. The parade featured parents and pupils from 4 local schools; St. George’s Primary, Trottiscliffe Primary, Platt Primary and West Malling Primary.

    The festival reached its climax on the grounds of Wrotham Cricket Club where a spectacular firework and light show took place.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “I am very grateful to everyone who attended and supported this community celebration. Events like this are important in rural communities as a means of promoting cohesion and providing new experiences for those in attendance. The feedback we have received has been positive and I hope we can replicate this event in other parts of Kent in 2017.”

    David Jones the Head teacher of Saint George’s School commented “The pupils really enjoyed the whole experience, from preparing the lanterns in special workshops in school, to seeing culturally diverse artists perform in the heart of the village to taking part in the lantern parade. It is important that young people get a chance to experience new things and we hope to work with our partners to put on a similar event next year, hopefully with even more local schools involved.”

    The Festival was organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Saint Georges Primary School and the schools in the Pilgrims Way Partnership and was part funded by Arts Council England.