Dancing in the street as festival returns
There was singing, dancing and street performance in Maidstone town centre, as the annual summer festival returned. Shoppers got a chance to put their feet up, relaxing in deckchairs in Jubilee Square to watch a line-up of 10 live acts on Saturday. Among them were pop group Get Inuit, eight piece brass and percussion outfit No Limit Street Band and lively samba group Bloco Fogo. There were magicians to entertain the crowds and children were able to get their faces painted. The town centre was brightened up after trees, bikes and even the square’s your NHS hearing aid, go along to this free clinic where it can provide you with free batteries and clean and re-tube your aid. Advice is also available about Hi Kent’s extensive range of specialist equipment. Scouts: For boys and girls ages six to eight who want to have fun and make friends. Join the Beaver colony. Meetings are on Fridays from 5.30pm-6.45pm at the Methodist Centre, Brewer Street. For information phone Holroyd on 01622 695204. Good Book Guide: Ever wished you could read the word of God and understand it for yourself? In nine workshops over the course of the year we will be looking at nine different sections of scripture, in order to unlock the various ways in which the Bible is meant to be read and applied. The course is on Sundays from 6pm at The Maidstone Family Church, 94 Boxley Road. To find out about the remaining workshop dates contact Steve Edney mfc.office@ uwclub.net or call 01622 695604. Below 65 Gallery: Until Saturday July 30, The Below 65 Gallery presents Chris F Clark & Barbara Antinoro who are joining forces for their exhibition Now....Again. Whitstable-based artist Chris and Margate artist Barbara will be showing a selection of works in various media that explore loosely the themes of life and death. The two friends, both practising Nichiren Buddhists, aim to encourage open thought and dialogue about the work, and engage people in thinking about and realising the notion that every single person has buddha nature and have the potential to awaken it and use it in their daily lives. To find out about Nichiren Buddhism and the Soka Gakkai International, visit www.sgi-uk. org. Gallery opening hours: 9.30am-4.30pm Monday-Saturday at Gilbert and Clarke Frame and plaque were “yarn-bombed” – covered with colourful knitting. The festival – a celebration of music, culture and creativity – also had lots going on in Fremlin Walk, Brenchley Gardens and St Faith’s Street. Print, 65 High Street. For information phone 01622 685146 or visit www.gilbertandclark.com Treasures from trash: Treasures From Trash is an all day exhibition running from Saturday July 9 until September at the Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street. Upcycling and recycling from around the world, showing personal objects such as toys, ornaments, games etc made from many different salvaged materials. Family summer holiday exhibition with lots of hands-on activities to take part in. Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday (noon-4pm Sunday April to October). Exhibition: Eclectic is a free all day exhibition running until Monday July 25 at The Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street. Eclectic celebrates the achievements of the art and design students at Oakwood Park Grammar School. The work showcases the wide range of concepts, materials and processes the students explore in their work, and their boundless creativity. Teddy Bear’s Picnic: On Saturday July 23 from 10.30am-2.30pm at the Maidstone Museum, join in a Teddy Bear’s Picnic fun day. Take a picnic and take part in activities around the museum and in the gardens. Activities will include face painting, story telling, teddythemed card craft and a trail. Free, although some activities may incur a small charge. For booking, call 01622 602838. Make It: The summer holiday Make It Workshops will run from Wednesday to Friday, July 27-29, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1pm-3pm at the Maidstone Museum. Use recycled materials to create a toy or a game to play with. Will you make a cup and ball game, a game of skittles, or maybe create your own? Suitable for ages four to 11. Drop-in art/craft during the holi- days; sessions start at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm, bookable in person on the day. Suitable for ages four plus. £3 per child unless otherwise stated. Race For Life: Will be held on Saturday July 9 at 11am in Mote Park. Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is the country’s largest women-only fundraising event, where women come together to walk, jog, dance or run 5k and 10k events in the name of raising money in the fight against cancer. Adult entry (16+ women-only) £14.99. Child entry (six-15 girls and boys under 13) £10. Under six entry (boys and girls) free and no registration needed. Pretty Muddy 5k: Race for Life Pretty Muddy is a 5k muddy obstacle course held on Sunday July 10 at Mote Park, where you can show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink. Take a change of clothes for after your event and a towel to wipe off the worst of the mud; remember there are no showers or lockers at Pretty Muddy events, but there will be a bag drop area. Adult entry (women aged 16+) £19.99. Child entry (girls aged 13-15) £10. No under-13s. Live music: On Saturday July 16 from 9pm, there will be music from Bloodstone Blue with the voice of Rosie Horne at The White Horse, 46 London Road. Genres: rock, funk, country &and blues. Bloodstone Blue: 07906 004568 or info@bloodstoneblue.com or www.bloodstoneblue.com South Borough Fair: South Borough Primary School, Stagshaw Close, Postley Road, is holding its Summer Fair on Saturday July 9 from 11am -2pm, Entrance is free to children and 50p per adult. Go along for lots of fun and for a chance to win one of the many raffle prizes. The Mayor of Maidstone will be visiting the fair and will complete the raffle draw with head teacher Mrs Olivier.