The atmosphere of fun, music and pleasure arrived on the streets of Tunbridge Wells this week in preparation for the launch of this years carnival event in the town.

Over 200 children from four local primary schools led a parade from the precinct, marching down Grosvenor Road to Mount Pleasant, finally arriving at Calverley Grounds.

This was the official launch of this years Mela celebrations in the town.

As the children paraded along the streets, carrying their own form of artworks that represented a varying diversity and range of cultures, that were created by them during visual art workshops at their schools, they were led by the visiting arts company Same Sky, closely followed by the rhythmical sounds of the Samba group Bloco Fogo.

The children full of fun and laughter, carried their own works of art, showing their own wonderful self-made designs to the crowds of passers by, who were simply very impressed at the children's excellent display and vivid imagination of such fantastic well made exhibits. 

The event was organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council with the support of West Kent Police, the North West Kent Racial Equality Council, and Town & Country Housing.

Further along the procession the musical beat was kept going by the Four Dohl Drummers who astounded the watching crowds by performing their fantastic dancing rhythm and music.

As the parade marched on, music from the two groups continued to echo along the route as they all paraded into Calverley Grounds, there to watch the Dohl Drummers and Bloco Fogo perform to the massed crowds, their own form of spectacular dance, rhythm and music.

The launch of this event by the schoolchildren and the performing bands is only a small  taste of what is to come, for when the Mela carnival arrives...It Will Certainly Bring the Town to Life.

Also present during this magnificent carnival atmosphere on July 19^th will be Same Sky, a local arts company who are working together with the Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership.

They will be running an art workshop from 1 – 5pm on the bowling green in Calverley Grounds, visitors to this spectacular event can visit there and find out about how to enjoy and look after the heritage of their area by learning bush-craft skills, make a bird-box or bug-hotel, try for themselves the art of flint knapping and iron age cookery.

This will be an exciting part of your afternoon to visit this and see for yourselves these craftsmen in action, explaining and demonstrating their skills to all.

There will be a wide range of performances and food from all over the world at this year's Mela in Royal Tunbridge Wells, countries that will be taking part are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Bangladesh, India, the Caribbean and Egypt.

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The Tunbridge Wells Mela is a free community event which celebrates the diversity of the borough through music, food and dance.

Mela is a term from the Indian Subcontinent used to describe community celebrations, these festivities now take place all over the UK, and this will be the fourth Mela held in Tunbridge Wells.

The Mela project is organised by a steering group, with representatives from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, The Arts Council England, Cohesion Plus and Town and Country Housing.

To all those who generously gave their time, effort and finances to organise this spectacular event,and to all who partake in this forthcoming celebration, and from all those who come along to enjoy this great day in the town, all wish to express their thanks in making this event in Tunbridge Wells..The Best Ever Mela...Thankyou...!!!