The British weather left a lot to be desired this summer but it wasn’t dire enough to take away from the resounding success of this year’s Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which saw over 3000 people attend and support. The Mela took place on Sunday 21st July and was organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Arts Council England and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

The free to attend family festival once again boasted a spectacular on and off-stage artistic programme with festival goers treated to incredible acts such as Circus Raj. Originating from the famous city of Rajasthan in India, the act comprised of folk songs, dancing, tight rope walking and stunts. They were followed by the Uzambezi Trio who performed their signature mix of Afro Reggae fusion offering a unique take on smash hits such as One Love and Three Little Birds. Native Oysters, a New Orleans style band brought the sounds of the American South, wowing crowds. Next up was local community group Sahrudaya – The West Kent Keralites who performed music and dance originating from Kerala in South India.

Shifting gears on the festivities, crowd favourites and legendary UK Bhangra act Kings of Dhol electrified the audience with their unique offering of high octane drumming and dance. They were the perfect warm up to the next act, internationally renowned Bhangra superstar Jassi Sidhu who performed hits from his vast catalogue of songs. And to bring it all to a climax was the ever sensational Niqi Brown as the incomparable Tina Turner, who brought the house down with an electrifying performance.

Off stage, further entertainment was provided by Festival Theatre’s ‘Elephant Puppet’, a life size elephant that interacted with the crowds posing for selfies. Also available was the Playground Project who provided free musical workshops for early years and parents / guardians. In addition there were a number of community and charity stalls who were raising awareness of their services. There was also a range of mouth-watering food and drink from around the world which was supplied by local traders. Deputy Lieutenant Nick Fisher and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Nancy Warne were in attendance and brought a sense of civic pride to the proceedings.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus who produced the Mela commented, “It’s always such an honour and pleasure to come back to Tunbridge Wells and deliver this beloved event. A huge thank you goes out to the ever loyal festival attendees who make sure to turn up every year regardless of the weather. We are especially proud this year of the amazing on and off stage artistic offering which was a sumptuous fare of arts, culture and entertainment. Every year we aim to go bigger and better and I am confident we pulled this off again! However all of this wouldn’t be possible without the local residents and businesses who each year embrace the Mela Festival, celebrating the ways the arts and cultural diversity contribute so immensely to society as a whole.”