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Tonbridge Calling music festival battles poverty and difference, inspired by Brexit vote

By: Kent Messenger reporter messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:00, 26 August 2016

An increase in hate crimes since the Brexit vote has inspired a group of musicians to organise a festival that celebrates difference and battles poverty.

Organiser Ted Rodgers explained: “After the Brexit result a friend of mine was racially abused on the street and told to go home.

Organisers, from left to right, Ted Rogers, Simon Partington, Mark Hood, Fred Long, Faydra Mitchell, Sophie Quinnell

"Everyone was so down and there was a lot of confusion, so we wanted to organise a celebration of what makes us different”.

Bourne Valley Boys, Orange Circus, We Ghosts, Ivor Pop, and Sam Dunstall were the young musicians that demonstrated their community spirit by performing free of charge in Tonbridge Park.

The event was funded by the Grant Rule Trust, whose namesake was a folk musician that died in a sailing accident in 2011.

The Bourne Valley Boys - Chris Savage, Ted Rogers, Simon Brown - entertain crowds

Guests and caterers were also encouraged to donate money to homeless charities Bridge Trust and Porchlight.

Organised in the space of just six weeks, Tonbridge Calling attracted more than 700 guests, and the organisers are already planning their next event.

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