Wrotham Festival of Light Shines Bright Despite the Rain
Cohesion Plus were delighted to work in partnership with St George’s Primary School to produce the annual Wrotham Festival of Light on Friday 9th October which was supported by Arts Council England. Despite the rainy weather, the event proved to be a wonderful success, bringing the local community together for an evening of music, colour, celebration and fireworks.
The popular community event which has been running for over 12 years in Wrotham a village in Tunbridge and Malling saw families and residents come together to enjoy a vibrant programme of entertainment and celebrating community spirit.
The festival was delighted to welcome Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Louise Bryant and Deputy Mayor Cllr Sarah Hudson, who joined local residents for the celebrations.
Children from St George’s School played an important role in the festival, taking part in creative lantern-making workshops delivered by outdoor arts specialists Same Sky. The children proudly showcased their colourful lanterns during the evening parade, helping to illuminate the streets of Wrotham and creating a magical atmosphere despite the wet weather.
The evening also featured energetic performances from Bloco Fogo, whose Brazilian-inspired drumming brought rhythm and excitement to the celebrations, alongside the fantastic Kings of Dhol, who entertained the crowds with their powerful Punjabi fusion drumming.
The celebrations concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky and providing a fitting finale to a memorable evening.
The festival once again demonstrated the power of arts and culture to bring communities together, providing an opportunity for local families to celebrate, connect and enjoy a shared experience.
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus, said:
“We were absolutely delighted with how the Wrotham Festival of Light went. The community turned out in great numbers to support the event, which really demonstrates the fantastic community spirit here in Wrotham.”
“At Cohesion Plus, we are passionate about spreading the joy of arts and culture, particularly in areas where there are fewer opportunities for communities to experience events like this. That is what first brought us to the village of Wrotham over 12 years ago, as we strongly believe that rural communities should not miss out on the positive experiences that arts and culture can bring.”
“The support for the Wrotham Festival of Light has grown year on year, and when we first started, I never imagined it would become the success it is today. It has been wonderful to see how the local community has embraced the festival and made it such a special part of the village calendar. It really demonstrates the power of arts and culture to bring people together, create lasting memories and strengthen community spirit. We are grateful to all of our partners and Arts Council England for their ongoing support”.
