The rural village of Wrotham played host to the 5th Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light on Friday October 6th. 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.

During the first phase of the festival outside Saint George’s Church the Phase 5 Steel Band warmed up the crowd with the sounds of the Caribbean followed by colourful performances by Reel Eire Irish Dancers, Bloco Fogo Samba and Folk in Beats African and Asian Drumming Collective.

The Lantern Lights Parade then began from Saint George’s Church and walked through the Village climaxing at the Cricket Ground. The parade featured 4 local schools and some 500 people who had worked with Same Sky Arts to create colourful lanterns around the theme of food. Those taking part in the parade were joined by the bands who brought a carnival vibe to the festival. Particular highlights were the Folk in Beats African and Asian Drumming Collective who combined the tradition sounds of African and Indian percussion to create a fun new sound and Bloco Fogo Samba who wowed the crowd with their signature carnival beats

The Festival climaxed with the annual spectacular fireworks display at the Cricket Ground which was produced by Phoenix.

Gurvinder Sandher the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented “It is important for us as an organisation to work widely across Kent to showcase culturally diverse arts and to use them to bring communities together to promote cohesion. This festival allowed us to work in a rural setting and provided opportunities for the community to enjoy new artistic experiences right where they lived.