The sun matched the smiles all around Calverley Park on Sunday at the 5th Tunbridge Wells Mela. More than 10,000 people from an array of cultures and ages attended the event which ran from 12 noon to 7pm.

Town & Country Foundation delivered its ‘We all do good things’ project - capturing acts of kindness on decorative shields.  Jackie Sumner, Head of Community Investment, said: “The MELA marked the start of a ‘Kindness’ project that we will roll out in schools in September working with the charity People United.’’

People United is a Canterbury-based charity that uses the arts and imaginative ideas to promote kindness and caring communities.

“The project forms part of our approach in promoting and celebrating positive social behaviour and will be linked to the University of Kent which will evaluate the impact of the intervention on a range of behaviours,” said Jackie. “The event was a great success and the children’s procession was a fantastic sight as hundreds of youngsters paraded around the park and in front of a packed stage with their shields of kindness.”

The Foundation stall was part of a Children’s Creative Corner at the Mela and was packed with families from start to finish. Other Tunbridge Wells Arts Partnership agencies taking part included Kent Country Council, Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, the Assembly Hall, Trinity Theatre and Adult Education.

The stage performances were supported by the Arts Council and were a mix of community and cultural performances, including Camden Road Choir and youngsters from five local schools who performed a Bhangra dance.

Comments included:

• “Parents were equally enthused by the event”
• “Fantastic atmosphere, music, food and stalls”
• “Town and Country stall was excellent, friendly staff, great activity and lovely free souvenir”

The weekend marked the start of the busy summer time for the Foundation and Neighbourhood Housing Mangers. Showfields and Ramslye had a Family Day on Saturday, on Sunday CORE staged their Big Lunch event, and next weekend Rusthall Goes Green stage their fair. These events are being used to consult on local neighbourhood issues.

The Foundation stall was packed with families from start to finish