Celebrating Community Spirit at Fun Palaces in Maidstone: A Day to Remember

The past two days have left me feeling truly amazed by the incredible contributions of so many people within the Maidstone Borough Council areas. As a community activist, youth worker, and elderly carer over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand just how many people are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. While I’ve always been inspired by the work others do, attending Fun Palaces today brought all of that to the forefront in a really powerful way.

Fun Palaces is a unique event that celebrates the creativity, skills, and talents of local people and organisations. This year’s gathering was no exception – it was bursting with energy, joy, and community spirit. The event was a vivid reminder that while many of us contribute to our communities in different ways, when we all come together, the impact is truly remarkable.

They truly appreciated a Rural Deputy Mayor that could come along and make the effort.

I also have to give a special mention to my fellow musicians! Yes, we were a bit nerdy, discussing the pros and cons of Roland or Technics and debating between the Akai Pro or Arturia Mini Lab, but it was those conversations that made the day even more memorable. It was an instant bond, a sense of camaraderie formed by a shared love for music and gear. I’ve always said that being Deputy Mayor gives me the wonderful opportunity to meet so many incredible people doing wonderful things, but when it comes to music, arts, and sport – well, that’s where I truly feel in my element.

That said, I was equally comfortable and happy to spend time with the amazing carers yesterday. Their dedication, patience, and compassion deserve all the recognition in the world. Whether it’s with musicians, carers, artists, or athletes, every moment spent with people making a difference in their communities fills me with pride.

Here’s to everyone who played a part in making Fun Palaces such a success. You are what makes Maidstone a place I am proud to represent, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to build on this fantastic spirit of collaboration. What a wonderful, fun-filled day it was – a true celebration of all that makes our community great!

Thank you to everyone involved. I loved it!