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Mayor's Parade brightens up Maidstone town centre to celebrate Dave Naghi's year as mayor

By: Luke May

Published: 15:31, 14 April 2019

Updated: 18:52, 14 April 2019

The Mayor's Parade made a bold return to Maidstone on Saturday.

The County Town celebrated Cllr Dave Naghi's year as mayor with a procession through the town centre.

Visitors were treated to live samba performances from Bloco Fogo in Jubilee Square, followed by a procession came through Week Street on to the High Street.

Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)
Samba band Bloco Fogo. Picture: Andy Jones (8542714)

Saturday's parade was a welcome return after Maidstone Borough Council axed its civic parade last year.

The event was cancelled as the 36 Engineer Regiment was not available to appear.

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The cut meant Cllr Naghi, Maidstone's first American-born mayor, missed out on a tradition dating back to the 1500s - a parade to usher in his time as mayor.

Cllr David Naghi at at the Mayor's Parade. Picture: Andy Jones (8542715)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)
The Mayor's Parade drew crowds to the County Town, with Kent Police and Gurkha veterans taking part. Picture: Andy Jones (8542775)

With his mayoral year coming to an end, the council instead organised a farewell parade.

Members of Kent Police and Police Cadets, Royal Naval Association, the Royal British Legion, Ghurkha Veterans, RAMC Association all took part in the parade along with visiting dignitaries, councillors and council staff.

The next mayor of Maidstone is expected to be appointed next month.

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