The sun shone, the crowds arrived and the atmosphere was full of fun and festive on Saturday 8th August at Lyndhurst, where the first ever New Forest Mela, celebrating the cultural diversity of the New Forest, attracted more than three thousand people to the event!
An exciting programme of live bands, singers and dancers was provided on a massive open-air stage, giving the audience a chance to sit on the lawns of Appletree Court and experience new sounds and sights from cultures around the world. Blues, bhangra, street, salsa, swing and a steel pan band, High School Musical, Bollywood and belly dancers, among others, kept the enthusiasm and excitement going, with the help of MC Keet-B and DJ Satti.
Abbey Ramsdale founder of Antonio’s Academy in New Milton, brought her troupe of street and break dancers, aged from four to 23, to perform on the stage and give workshops on the lawn.
A traditional gypsy wagon was admired and fortune teller Margaret Ayres was kept busy giving readings while Jobey Hughes, his family and friends from Marchwood demonstrated gypsy crafts. Travellers Got Talent finalist Johnny Gregory entertained on stage with a heartfelt rendition of “My Way”.
In between the trees, various workshops, craft stalls, activities and information stands kept visitors happy. Aborigine Jermane Herbohn, recently arrived in Britain from Queensland, Australia, gave fascinating displays - playing the didgeridoo, demonstrating the art of boomerangs and applying tribal face paint to keen festival goers!
There were lots of attractions for young people, including a climbing wall and football challenge, as well as the opportunity to make Indian elephants from clay, and for budding circus stars Jonation the Jester was on hand to give a few tips! Colin McAllister of Ukulele Jam, praised the mela as “a great atmosphere with a responsive audience, helped by the sunny weather.”
Chinese lion dancing, performed by Dragon of the South, Bournemouth, mesmerised onlookers and delighted everyone when the lion threw fortune cookies from his mouth.
Xuelong from Southampton School of Tai Chi gave lessons in the ancient art, as did the Bollywood Dance Masti, from Southampton, with experts Geeta Uppal, Zulfkar Mirza Snober and Naveen Nayyar encouraging people of all ages to try some of the moves.
Energetic demonstrations of the martial arts style capoeira dance drew many admirers and there was the chance to try African drumming with Daniel Akpoto Ahumah and Richard Parker of Active Arts.
Chinese jewellery, Indian saris and henna tattoos also proved popular with artists kept busy for the whole day.
Krissie Read, of Lyndhurst based Florality, gave demonstrations and said the mela was a fantastic opportunity to bring together so many people from the community.
An ethnic food court included mouth-watering Indian, Polish, Thai and African specialities, while New Forest Marque products were available, including venison hot dogs, from Longdown Activity Farm.
Forest Mela 2009 was organised by members of the Diversity Network, driven by New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, Forest Bus and Community First New Forest. |
