Maidstone - Harmony Community Arts Centre

I met John Kingdom tonight, the main man behind Harmony Community Arts Centre and a legend.

I don't quite know where to start explaining what these guys do, although the clues are all there in the title I guess, but it goes nowhere near really explaining what they're all about.

John started Harmony, on his own 10 years ago in the back of a pub. They moved to a run down hall in Mangravet Avenue in  2004 and transformed it into an amazing variety club and theatre where they rehearse and stage musicals.

John's built the scenery, staging, does all the managment, sings, acts. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me saying he's not the youngest of men now with his own fair share of health issues but he spends roughly 70 hours a week at the theatre.

Enough about John what about all the mums and volunteers and his own family that help keep the place going and all the children that live on and around Mangravet who take part in life at Harmony and love it.

There are some heart rending stories about the achievements that some of the children have mastered. Many have gone on to study theatre and drama at University and all return to see Harmony and John.

This is all beginning to sound like a homage to John, and it is but, I'm going to work with all the people that work behind the scenes at Harmony on this project as they range from the over 60's down to 11 year olds.