Magical atmosphere in square as Crawley prepares for Mela

Crawley's Queens Square came alive with a celebration of the town's rich cultural heritage at the weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jul 2015, 13:43 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 05:11 BST

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International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154429008International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154429008
International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154429008

In preparation for the annual International Mela festival coming up this weekend, an International Summer Fest got underway in the town centre.

Marilyn Le Feuvre, who helps organise the International Mela, said: “It was absolutely fantastic. The weather was on our side.

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“We had 4x4 Bhangra drumming group, a samba group and the Pathfinders groups all taking it in turns.

International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154333008International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154333008
International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154333008

“The Tamil children did a procession around the bandstand and in between we were playing our music.

“It was a party atmosphere, it was great. It’s the first time we have done it and I think it was a great idea.

“They had the sandpit and the children were in there. It was magical - just like being on the beach and having a party.”

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The samba and drumming groups also held workshops which shoppers enjoyed.

International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154523008International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154523008
International Summer Festival in Queens Square, Crawley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150720-154523008

This year’s Mela, themed ‘The World at Your Doorstep’ is on Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 27 with a range of activities in The Hawth theatre and grounds from 12noon to 6pm.

The festival, which started more than 25 years ago as a celebration of Asian culture. Marilyn, who is African, got involved about 12 years ago and worked with others to give it an international flavour.

It has grown year on year and at the weekend the Hawth main stage professional acts line up, stalls/bazaars, workshops and local rising stars community acts will bring something from all five continents.

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Cultures and countries represented included Indian, Muslim, Greek, Polish, African/Caribbean, Brazilian, Jewish, Turkish, Romanian, Lithuanian and Eastern Stream

There will also be a free screening of the movie SELMA (12A) in the Hawth’s studio on both days with an Afro-American Civil Rights Movement “On The Montgomery Bus” exhibition.

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