Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Wrotham Parish Council

  • 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.”

  • Wrotham Festival of Light brings colour for another year

    Wrotham Festival of Light brings colour for another year

    Wrotham Festival of Light brings colour for another year

    The coming of another autumn marked the return of the annual and much loved Wrotham Festival of Light on Friday 11th October. The festival, which every year attracts hundreds of attendees from the local village and surrounding areas is now in its 11th year is still popular as ever.

    The event was organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Saint Georges Primary School and Same Sky Arts. It was supported by Arts Council England and Wrotham Parish Council.

    The village was transformed with an array of colourful light installations around the theme of wildlife which attendees were able to interact and take photos with. The main attraction was the vibrant lantern parade which featured musical acts such as the Kings of Dhol, internationally renowned Dhol drumming troupe who are experts in the percussion which hails from North India as well as Bloco Fogo Samba who brought the sounds of the Brazilian carnival to the celebrations.

    The crowds were also entertained by The Charlie Chaplin Show, a popular street act hailing from Covent Garden and usually performed on the South Bank circuit.

    The lantern parade was led by the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Steve Hammond and Deputy Lieutenant Louise Bryant and the Headteacher of Saint George’s Primary School Wrotham Elizabeth Rye. They were followed by hundreds of children parents and guardians as the parade made its way up from the Saint George’s Church to the cricket ground. Once at the cricket ground there was spectacular fireworks display provided by local business Phoenix Fireworks which drew loud applause from those in attendance.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am so proud of what we were able to achieve working in partnership. As a nation we have had a testing few months with the riots in the summer a recent memory. Events like this show what can be achieved when we all work together for the better good and celebrate what unites us rather than divides us. I am proud of how the Wrotham Festival of Light has developed over the years and how many local residents come out to support it every year regardless of age, background or faith.”

  • Wrotham Festival of Light

    Wrotham Festival of Light

    Wrotham Festival of Light

    The Kent Equality Cohesion Council were delighted to support the annual Wrotham Festival of Light which took place Friday October 13th .Despite the rain the community came together in the rural village of Wrotham in Tonbridge and Malling.

    The Village was transformed and lit up with a wonderful nature themed light installations. These were supplemented by colourful lanterns which were made by the pupils of St George’s Primary School.

    The highlight of the event was the colourful lantern parade which was slightly curtailed by the weather but none the less brought smiles to all who took part. The lantern parade along with school children and their families also featured some wonderful drumming from around the world including, Samba, Djembe and Dhol. The lantern parade finished at the cricket ground were the festival climaxed with a spectacular firework display by Phoenix Fireworks.

    The partners for the Wrotham Festival of Light alongside KECC were Cohesion Plus, St George’s Primary School, Wrotham Parish Council, Samesky and Arts Council England.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was so positive to see so many people coming out and supporting this community celebration both young and old. It is important at a time where there is extreme division in the world that we all remember that there is more that unites than divides. I am so proud of how this festival has evolved and it’s a showcase of what can be done when you work at a grass roots level with community partners.