Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Unison

  • Down pours couldn’t stop the magic of Maidstone Community Mela

    Down pours couldn’t stop the magic of Maidstone Community Mela

    Down pours couldn’t stop the magic of Maidstone Community Mela

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council once again supported the Maidstone Community Mela working in partnership with Cohesion Plus, Maidstone Cultural Group and community partners. The Mela which took place on Sunday 8th September in Mote Park once again played host to the diverse communities of the County Town welcoming all to enjoy a day of culturally diverse entertainment.

    Despite the heavy downpours those in attendance were able to enjoy a free artistic programme of performances from community led arts and dance groups. The offstage offering was just as exciting with an array of food from all around the world as well as information stands from local charities, community groups as well as Unison and Maidstone Borough Council. There was also entertainment and free music workshops for 0-3 year olds delivered by Playground Project.

    The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr John Perry and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Victoria Wallace attended the festivities and warmly welcomed those in attendance. They spoke about the importance of celebrating diversity and the arts and wished those who had braved the weather a great day.

    Community Mela Producer Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL said: “Despite the wet weather we are so pleased to have delivered the Mela this year working with local businesses, community groups and residents. The Mela continues to be a vessel toward greater understanding of one another, promoting community cohesion and celebrating all that brings us together regardless of ethnicity, social background and faith. As always we are incredibly grateful to our partners who work tirelessly to support our work.”

  • Mela in Mote Park celebrates the diversity of the borough

    Mela in Mote Park celebrates the diversity of the borough

    Mela attendees turned out in large numbers with over 3,000 people attending the much loved Maidstone Community Mela in Mote Park on Sunday September 19th. The free community festival which celebrates music, food and dance from around the world was delivered by Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with the Maidstone Cultural Group, the Maidstone Mela Advisory Group and was produced by KECC’s sister organisation Cohesion Plus who specialize in large scale arts events. The Mela was funded by Arts Council England, Maidstone Borough Council and Unison.

    The stage programme offered an array of diverse talent showcasing various arts forms such as Samba music, Irish dance, Punjabi percussion as well as Grime Rap and Choir singing. Malayalee, Nepalese and other South West Indian cultures were also showcased through music, food and dance.

    Key partners such as Kent Police, Victim Support, Unison, Adult Education Service, Involve Kent and the Maidstone Dawn Patrol Rotary Club were also in attendance engaging with those present and off stage arts workshops were also available to children and young families.

    The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Fay Gooch was in attendance along with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bill Cockcroft DL and Cllr Martin Round Chair of Economic Regeneration & Leisure Committee, they all spoke from the stage about how pleased they were to see the Mela back in Mote Park after a 6 year absence and the importance of having events like this in the borough.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Mela producer commented: “I have proudly been involved with the Mela since its inception back in 2003. The Mela has always been a wonderful way to engage with the culturally diverse communities of Maidstone, providing a valuable platform for diverse art forms and traders. I am even more proud to say that this year we were able to return to the birthplace of the Mela and thanks to the partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, Mote Park once again became the site for the event to take place. It is so gratifying to receive praise for the Mela from members of the community. For many audience members it was their first big outdoor event they had attended since the start of the pandemic which is a great testament to the appeal of the Mela. I would like to give special thanks to our key partners who attended and supported us in the lead up and on the day itself including Kent Police, Unison, Victim Support and Adult Education Service. Community events are that much more valuable and enriching when you have the buy in and support of local authority, statutory, community and charity sector partners. We look forward to next year’s event which we have already begun planning!”