A festival, bringing world class music to historic venues in and around West Malling , will celebrate its 10th anniversary online this week.

Founded by artistic director Thomas Kemp, who grew up in the village, Music@Malling has worked with some big names from the world of music, as well as local schools, holding workshops and concerts in more than 30 primary schools, and aiming to encourage and inspire children to write and perform.

It has also worked with renowned arts names such as actor Charles Dance, who narrated The Soldier’s Tale.

Thomas said of his performance: "The atmosphere was electrifying and it was fabulous to see such a living legend in West Malling. He even made some selfies with star-struck members of the audience."

Now a professional musician himself, Thomas started the event after learning to play the violin at West Malling Primary School.

"I was really lucky that there was lots of music going on at school and we were offered the chance to have violin lessons which were held in the school kitchens," he said. "Having worked worldwide as a professional musician, I realised many people in the Malling area had limited access to high quality arts provision and that was why Music@Malling was set up: to bring fantastic musicians to people’s doorsteps."

The online festival, which runs from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, includes performances by James Pearson, artistic director of Ronnie Scott’s; Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata with local pianist Daniel Grimwood and Eleanor Alberga’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, setting Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes to music.

James said: "It is always a pleasure to return to Malling each year and I am delighted to be associated with this innovative and fabulous festival."

Thomas added: "I am delighted that we are able to do this online festival and in the future - when audiences come back to live events - we will stream our concerts to reach new audiences. The potential is very exciting."

For details and to find out more go to musicatmalling.com

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