Savour Street Food and Sounds at the Leatherhead Music and Food Fiesta!

 From Friday 20 until Sunday 22 August, Mole Valley Chamber with the support of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is hosting the Leatherhead Music and Food Fiesta. The event is bursting with free activities, enabling the community to enjoy summer days in the centre of Leatherhead.

The Music and Food Fiesta is a free event that will take place in Leatherhead Town Centre from 10am – 10pm on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 and 10am – 4pm on Sunday 22 August.

 The Music and Food Fiesta will offer a variety of street food, providing everyone with the opportunity to discover new tastes and flavours from a combination of regular and new market traders. From crepes to curry, and Greek food to gin cocktails there is something for everybody to feast on throughout the weekend. Original music will be performed by local musicians including the Americana ‘Breathe’ band along with soul covers from ‘Diamond Soul’ all on a temporary purpose-built stage. Children can also enjoy the range of free activities, as well as the ‘Kids Rock Party’ on Sunday with a performance from ‘The Boogie Monsters’.

The event will provide everyone with the chance to explore the selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues in Leatherhead. It will encourage the safe return to the shopping areas of the district.

Councillor Clayton Wellman, MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Security, said: “The Leatherhead Food and Music Fiesta will be jam-packed with musicians performing a variety of genres, together with an array of street vendors offering a wide selection of flavoursome food to suit every taste. It is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and try out something new in the heart of Leatherhead!”

 This is a one-off new event funded by the Welcome Back Fund.

New Mickleham Music-Making Pilot

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is collaborating with NHS Surrey Downs Health and Care Partnership (Urgent and Integrated Care) and Intergenerational Music Making on a Together with Music Hub pilot programme taking place at Mickleham Village Hall across six consecutive Thursdays, from 5 August to 9 September.

 The course is specifically designed to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of those who have been affected by the pandemic; to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, improve overall mental health and wellbeing, and to support in alleviating respiratory effects of COVID-19 through music-making, singing and connection.

The programme is free to attend, and residents are welcome to drop into one or all of the sessions.

Singing can enhance health, wellbeing and social participation, reducing feelings of isolation and improving posture, breath and anxiety. Singing involves deep breathing, the controlled use of muscles in the respiratory system and can contribute to an increased sense of breath control, proving an effective method to overcome breathlessness and respiratory issues associated with COVID-19.

The sessions are part-funded by a grant from the Community Fund for Surrey and are open to any residents who could benefit from the course. The NHS Social Prescribing service has assisted with promoting the course to those most in need, and Mole Valley Life Community Transport Service are providing transport to and from the venue. 

Leader of MVDC, Councillor Stephen Cooksey, said: “This project shows that through partnership working we can help to improve residents’ wellbeing. If you think you might benefit from these sessions, please do get in touch. Or if you know someone who may benefit, let them know about the course.”

The sessions take place from 10.30 – 11.30am. Register to attend or find out more by emailing arts.dev@molevalley.gov.uk or calling 01306 885001.