Join us as we feature Kent-based businesses in the Made in Kent market at Priory Live Music Festival. Additionally, we'll explore the other attractions offered across the festival and speak with some of the main stage headliners.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - Welcome to Priory Live Festival 2023
00:25 from right here in Orpington.
00:26 My name's Jamie Levy,
00:27 and I'm gonna be showing you everything there is to do here
00:30 from the rides to the food to the main stage right next to us
00:34 there's so much more to see.
00:36 The weather's not great, but it's holding out.
00:38 And just for now, we're keeping our fingers crossed
00:39 that we'll hold out for the rest of the day.
00:41 But follow me, me and my colleagues
00:42 will be showing you everything there is to do.
00:44 So let's go.
00:45 So something new this year for the festival
00:47 is the Vinyl Village, as you can see behind me.
00:49 There's DJ playing a set right now at the moment.
00:51 And there's gonna be DJs here all day
00:52 playing everything from the 70s up to the noughties.
00:55 So we're gonna see what people think of it.
00:57 - It's the first time I've been.
00:59 I'm enjoying it.
00:59 There's a good mix.
01:01 There's different DJs on and all different ages.
01:05 - This for me is brilliant because this is from my era.
01:08 This is all eighties.
01:09 I love soul, northern soul.
01:11 So this is perfect.
01:13 So the two stages are great,
01:14 but this is for me, for my era.
01:16 - We can't wait for the dance tent.
01:18 It's a new thing this year.
01:19 Really can't wait for the dance tent.
01:20 Everyone's boogieing, we're on a great time.
01:22 Even though it's been raining, you know,
01:24 hoping the sun might come out soon.
01:27 It's stopped raining, so that's good.
01:28 Yeah, we can't wait for a good old boogie.
01:30 - So I'm Paul Askew and I'm DJing today
01:33 the last set before Stereo MC's headline.
01:36 So really, really excited to be part of this today.
01:40 Vinyl as well, not digital.
01:42 So hearing some tracks from old,
01:45 playing them as they should be played.
01:46 Now the weather's cleared up,
01:49 people coming out getting excited.
01:51 Loads of old faces in Alpington,
01:54 Bromley, Petsworth area.
01:56 So it's gonna be a happy day tonight.
01:58 Well, from the first year, I mean,
02:00 previously it's all been bands,
02:02 but they wanted to bring in some dance music,
02:04 some old school.
02:05 I think it's a great introduction to that.
02:07 To be invited, I feel privileged.
02:10 It is very special, especially to me,
02:12 'cause I've been buying vinyl since the late 80s,
02:15 I'm showing my age.
02:16 But to dig out all the vinyl again,
02:20 to reminisce from old school,
02:23 play some tunes that people haven't heard
02:24 for over 20 years, maybe even 30 years,
02:28 that's the beauty of it.
02:30 So take people back to where they were
02:32 when they were in their youth.
02:33 And I'm hoping I can do that later.
02:36 After working up an appetite in the dance tent,
02:38 festival goers have a wide selection of food
02:40 and drink to choose from.
02:41 Let's see what some of them are.
02:43 So I'm Daniel Payne.
02:45 I run a small pizza business called Dough and Go Pizzas.
02:47 We run out of our house from Southeast London.
02:50 We are a family-run business
02:52 where me and my fiancee Gemma,
02:53 she helps along with the business.
02:55 We do corporate events from garden parties
02:58 to large festivals to street food trading
03:01 in Bromley High Street.
03:02 Yeah, so that's pretty much a nunchuck.
03:05 We run off three pizza ovens,
03:06 cook a pizza in 60 seconds, and we're ready.
03:10 Last year we sold out at 210.
03:12 So this year we upped it to 300.
03:14 We're just gonna try and push ourselves
03:15 that little bit further.
03:16 If anyone knows when you're rocking small ovens like this,
03:18 it's a bit difficult and a bit tricky,
03:20 especially with the temperature of the weather today.
03:23 But yeah, so we aim to hit our PB,
03:25 but obviously the weather today is not the best.
03:27 - My name's Jane and I help out on this stall.
03:30 I sell donuts and waffles and confectionery.
03:34 I do all the local fates, affairs, and all of it.
03:38 - So my name's Fahim Khan,
03:40 and I help run a local family business of ours.
03:43 It's an Indian takeaway.
03:45 We've been in Auckland for about eight years now,
03:48 serving high quality Indian cuisine to the local public.
03:52 And we're here today just to kind of
03:54 obviously let people know about our food
03:56 and hopefully be part of a successful event
03:59 by the weather.
04:00 So it's our first time at Priory Live.
04:03 We heard about it through All Prince and First,
04:05 and it's something that we tend to kind of do
04:07 like events here and there,
04:10 probably more on a smaller scale.
04:12 But we thought, "Oh, let's try ourselves at this one
04:14 "and see how well we do."
04:15 And then trying to get our name out
04:17 and try and get people to try our really delicious food.
04:20 - So as mentioned, there are a ton of things to do here,
04:22 including, as you can see behind me, the amusement rides.
04:25 Now I am gonna be going on this alone,
04:26 but I've got my camera here strapped to my chest,
04:28 so you guys are gonna come with me.
04:29 Let's go.
04:30 (upbeat music)
04:33 (upbeat music)
04:35 (bells chiming)
04:53 (upbeat music)
05:02 (upbeat music)
05:04 Now, although personally amusement rides
05:15 aren't my favorite bit of the festival,
05:17 attendees here at Priory seem to enjoy their presence.
05:19 - Which ride do you want to go on to?
05:21 That one.
05:22 Is it because it's big?
05:24 - Yeah, it's so high, I like it.
05:28 The way it goes up, around.
05:31 And I've been on the second one, just necked onto it.
05:35 - Well, same as last year, just a bit wetter,
05:38 hence the wet weather get-up.
05:42 But rides for the five-year-olds.
05:44 - Yeah, it's nice.
05:45 Obviously, like I say, the weather has laid it down
05:48 a little bit, but it's nice.
05:49 Nice family atmosphere, isn't it?
05:50 Like you've got the rides and all that,
05:51 and the band's nice, easy listening music.
05:54 It's good.
05:54 - And are you gonna be going on the rides later?
05:57 - Yeah, we will be, yeah.
05:58 - I like the rides.
05:59 - She won't let us off, yeah.
06:00 - No, we will, we will.
06:01 - Well, now that we've dipped our toe into the festival,
06:03 don't go anywhere, because after the break,
06:04 Sophia Akin will be joining us to show off
06:06 some of the best Kent vendors
06:08 featured at Priory Live this year.
06:09 - Now, of course, our traders are very excited
06:12 to be with us here at Priory Live.
06:14 But how do the festival-goers feel
06:16 about small and local businesses
06:18 being showcased at the festival?
06:20 - Well, first of all, we've been invited along,
06:22 as the mayor gets invited along
06:23 to lots of festivals within the borough.
06:26 But it's a great community event,
06:27 where we come down, meet lots of wonderful people,
06:30 go around and speak to the vendors.
06:32 It's just a lovely, lovely feel about it.
06:34 Even with the rain, it's still a very nice feel about it.
06:36 Well, obviously, with COVID and that,
06:38 a lot of the smaller businesses have gone out of business.
06:41 And it's nice to see them here,
06:43 and actually talking to lots of them.
06:45 They're actually making it,
06:46 they're actually getting some sales today.
06:48 And it gives them that ability,
06:49 it gives them that ability,
06:51 without the shops in the high street,
06:53 to actually sell some goods.
06:55 And of course, most of these are dying crafts.
06:58 So I've just been chatting to a lady that does carvings,
07:00 another lady that does candles.
07:02 They're dying craft, really.
07:03 And it's really great to see them here,
07:05 and sort of selling to the community,
07:07 in a community event.
07:08 So it's fantastic.
07:09 - Obviously, it helps us boost business,
07:11 kind of the exposure of how many people are winning,
07:14 or quite a few people are meant to be coming today.
07:16 Hopefully they still are.
07:18 It's just the exposure for us,
07:19 and trying to boost that business.
07:21 Obviously, quite a lot of people have been hit
07:23 by the cost of living challenge or crisis.
07:27 But this is one way to kind of get our name out there,
07:30 to new people, and hopefully build that business.
07:34 - I think it's a brilliant idea.
07:36 It really does give people a platform.
07:41 I mean, yes, I know it's raining today.
07:44 It's not ideal.
07:45 You know, it would be amazing if the weather was great.
07:49 But this is the English weather, we know what it's like.
07:52 But even so, it's all being filmed,
07:55 so people have a chance to catch up with it afterwards.
08:00 And really, it's all about supporting local people.
08:03 There's some wonderful businesses around here.
08:05 - Well, I think it's, I say,
08:07 obviously it's a charity thing, isn't it?
08:08 So it's good for charity.
08:10 Always good for charity.
08:12 But yeah, it gets people known in the park.
08:16 So, yeah.
08:18 - We come every year.
08:19 I know the rain's a bit of a,
08:21 like, completely different to last year.
08:23 But anyway, it adds to it.
08:24 This is like, you know, it brings people together.
08:27 And, you know, it's all, we're here supporting local music,
08:30 local community, local charities.
08:34 So yeah, I know, hats off.
08:36 - I live locally.
08:37 I love to support local events.
08:39 And I think music's the best way of supporting local events.
08:43 - No, just, it's good to sort of have a local festival
08:45 with such excellent bands,
08:47 where we can just, you know,
08:48 we don't have to travel up to London
08:49 and we don't have to go to the O2 or anything.
08:51 So yeah, I just want it to keep going.
08:53 - Yeah, I think it does well for the local community.
08:55 It gets people involved and it gets people enjoying it
08:59 and stuff, and it's, there's not enough stuff
09:01 that gets everyone involved.
09:02 And I think it does well.
09:03 - Well, I think artists,
09:04 I'm always on the lookout for local artists.
09:07 'Cause it's nice to buy a few things now and again
09:09 from the artists, actually.
09:11 I'm not so into the other things, but you know,
09:15 now and again.
09:16 And also I've got a grandson now.
09:18 So I saw, there's one stall I saw
09:20 that's a really nice wooden toys and things,
09:22 which I might actually be looking at those at some point.
09:25 - I think it's just good to just support
09:27 what's going on locally.
09:28 We only live like two miles away.
09:30 So it's very easy to come here.
09:32 And it's just saying about the weather.
09:33 (upbeat music)
09:36 - Hello and welcome back to a very wet and rainy
09:45 Priory Live Music Festival 2023.
09:48 I'm Sophia Akin.
09:49 And this year, as well as all the incredible music
09:52 and things that this festival has an offer,
09:54 they also have a variety of Kent makers,
09:57 starting here with the Made in Kent market.
10:00 Now, if you're familiar with Made in Kent
10:02 and you watch it often,
10:03 some of these vendors might actually look familiar to you,
10:06 as many of them have actually appeared on the show.
10:08 Now we're going to be speaking to them,
10:10 finding out more about their business
10:12 and seeing how things have changed
10:14 since they last appeared on our show.
10:16 Our first maker being showcased here at the festival
10:20 is Kerry Owens,
10:21 who's here representing the Medway based
10:24 art focused organisation, Nucleus Arts.
10:27 She specialises in a unique style of handcrafted jewellery.
10:31 Well, let's see what more she can tell us.
10:34 Well, I'm now joined with Kerry Owens,
10:36 an artist for Nucleus Arts,
10:39 here to tell me a bit more.
10:40 It's raining even more now, isn't it?
10:42 So how are you finding the festival so far,
10:45 despite how rainy it is?
10:47 Strangely enough, it's a lot more atmosphere here
10:49 than I thought it was going to be with all the wet weather.
10:51 So far, the kids seem to be loving what I've got,
10:53 so that's helpful.
10:55 And I've positioned myself lovely enough with the trees,
10:57 and it was like, "Oh, tree, oh, dry."
11:00 So I've got lucky in theory.
11:02 You do have the best spot, I must say.
11:04 So tell me about some of the artwork that you produce.
11:08 I'm a stone carver by trade, that's my main trade.
11:11 So I carve small pieces of jewellery
11:13 out of a lot of trades, a lot of fossils,
11:16 beach covets and pieces.
11:18 For a bit of fun, I'm also an illustrator,
11:20 a metal caster as well.
11:21 So it's kind of just anything I can get my hands on,
11:24 anything I can learn, I'll try and I'll do it.
11:27 So you pretty much make it all yourself, all the jewellery.
11:30 You're kind of involved in every stage of the process,
11:32 would you say?
11:34 Yeah, pretty much.
11:35 I pretty much hand carve every single last little piece of it,
11:38 even down to, even if I get a little chipped,
11:41 I'll cast it in resin if I have to,
11:43 and yeah, it's just that process of art.
11:45 It's just if you're not hands on and doing everything,
11:48 it's kind of, I think you miss out on something, really.
11:51 So why did you want to come along to this festival?
11:54 Why is this good for independent artists, would you say?
11:58 For myself, I'm very used to working on the online circuit.
12:02 So it's, I guess for me, now trying to get more experience
12:05 to be back out on the marketplace
12:07 instead of at events, especially larger stuff.
12:09 I'm going into a project over the next year,
12:11 which means going into quite large events.
12:15 So it's kind of getting used to that new atmosphere,
12:17 which for me would be amazing.
12:19 Especially with everything that's going on,
12:20 cost of living wise as well,
12:22 it's just trying to make sure that I can enter
12:25 like that every market and trying to make sure
12:27 that I get the best at what I can do.
12:29 So you mentioned there some cost of living pressures.
12:32 So what's that been like, say, over the past few years,
12:34 inflation going on, what's that been like for you?
12:37 It's been, for me it's meant the rise in material costs
12:41 and trying to ship anything overseas,
12:43 especially tools is just horrendous right now.
12:46 'Cause a lot of my tools and a lot of the things
12:47 that I need to bring in come from the States.
12:50 So if you're adding customs duties, shipping,
12:53 it's now just, it's unaffordable in itself.
12:56 And unfortunately as well, I got hit recently
12:58 by the Etsy reserves as well on top of that.
13:00 So as well as cost of living,
13:01 I got hit by not being able to trade for two months.
13:03 So for myself, it's been hard.
13:05 It's been incredibly hard.
13:07 So you missed two months of trading.
13:08 Why was that then?
13:10 Etsy unfortunately decided that they were gonna put
13:12 a load in a British sellers in reserves
13:14 for quite simply really stupid reasons.
13:16 And none of us really know why.
13:19 I got my shop released literally like two days ago.
13:21 So I got hit by that.
13:22 And so hopefully it's something to do with them
13:24 holding 75% of our income every time we made a sale.
13:27 But to be fair, it means you can't trade at all.
13:31 How did you cope with that then
13:32 if you can't trade for two months?
13:34 I was lucky with Nucleus Arts.
13:35 They had me out on community work, which was quite good.
13:38 So they made sure that I was covered
13:39 with projects and workshops.
13:41 And especially with the Chatham Carnival
13:43 that recently happened.
13:44 Luckily enough, I had an income from that area.
13:47 If it wasn't for Nucleus,
13:48 I have to admit I'm very, very lucky.
13:50 Now you mentioned Nucleus Arts there.
13:52 So tell me your involvement with Nucleus Arts.
13:56 With Nucleus, I'm a resident artist.
13:58 I own one of the studios,
13:59 well, not own, I rent one of the studios up in
14:01 what is called C Block.
14:03 As well as being one of the resident artists,
14:05 I help them with workshop facilitation.
14:08 Running, especially with the poverty line of things,
14:11 arches, local, all the kids' workshops,
14:14 digital teen arts, teen arts in general.
14:16 And I do a lot of the big build projects
14:18 for them that come along.
14:19 Now tell me about some of your products.
14:21 You've got necklaces I can see, bracelets.
14:24 So what is on offer here today?
14:27 A lot of my stone carved products,
14:28 as you can see behind me there.
14:30 So I do a lot of stone carving, wood carving.
14:33 I've got some of the illustrative work
14:34 with me with the A5 prints,
14:35 as well as some colouring books.
14:37 I've also been incredibly nice to my dad
14:39 who's with me down here today.
14:40 I've had him bring his wax melts with him as well.
14:43 So how long's your dad been doing that for as well?
14:45 Not very long, bless him.
14:46 He's quite new to it all,
14:47 but he's really proud of himself.
14:49 Amazing, wax melts are, I guess, so popular nowadays.
14:53 So does he make them all himself?
14:55 How does that work?
14:56 Yeah, he works out of our conservatory at home, bless him.
14:59 So whenever he's got a day off from work,
15:00 he's usually found out there,
15:02 kind of with his big pots and all the waxes
15:03 and things like that.
15:05 I have to admit,
15:05 it makes the house smell incredibly nice all the time.
15:09 So tell me, what can we expect in the future?
15:12 Do you have any more ideas in the pipeline,
15:14 any more products you're going to be bringing in?
15:17 I'm hoping come November to enter the next round
15:20 with the Arts Council for some extra funding
15:22 so I can now sit back and sort out some research
15:25 for the next project,
15:25 which is to create a workshop on a bus.
15:28 The whole point is to create what is,
15:30 to go round on most of these events
15:32 is a double-decker bus with workshop space
15:34 so I can go out and teach and do lessons and workshops.
15:37 And yeah, you have to do something big
15:40 and, I don't know, exciting, I guess.
15:43 Arts are a very competitive industry, isn't it?
15:45 So how can people get into it if they're just starting out
15:47 and want to make their way in the world of art?
15:50 Start off with trying to find something you like doing.
15:52 There's lots of workshops out there
15:54 with various different sort of places,
15:55 like Nucleus, who do a lot of different things
15:57 like social arts, teen arts.
15:59 It then gives you a taster session
16:01 of what it is that you can actually do.
16:03 And then once you find something you love, leave.
16:06 'Cause obviously fear holds people back so much
16:08 when it comes to the arts
16:09 and whether or not they can make it or not.
16:11 There's only one way to find out and that's just to do it.
16:13 Is it quite an expensive craft to take up?
16:17 It can be, yeah.
16:17 It depends on what you're looking at.
16:20 Stone carving myself is the expectation
16:22 of bringing in the tools in that I need.
16:24 But if you're looking at things like just simple beadwork,
16:27 you can get them really quite easy with pocket money.
16:29 So it depends on where you're willing to start
16:32 and whether you're starting at a lower level
16:35 rather than sort of like jumping in at the deep end.
16:37 What advice would you offer to those
16:39 who are wanting to get into the industry?
16:41 Don't be scared.
16:43 It's so easy to have your fear kind of hold you back
16:46 with everything in the arts.
16:49 Just don't be scared.
16:50 Be willing to try.
16:51 We had you on Made in Canada a few months ago,
16:54 so what has changed for you since then?
16:57 Oh, I made a giant dragon for Chatham Carnival,
17:01 if you guys got a chance to see that.
17:03 So I had the chance to actually have my hands
17:06 on the demon tape project that was done by A&E Lab
17:09 over at Chatham Dockyard.
17:11 I was then made as one of the key artists
17:13 to recycle that project a couple of months back,
17:15 which was amazing.
17:16 That must have been so exciting.
17:18 What was that like?
17:19 Incredibly exciting.
17:21 A different kind of challenge.
17:23 It's something I've never done before.
17:24 So I had to make a giant puppet, basically,
17:27 out of tape material,
17:29 which is a complicated thing to do,
17:32 but I got there in the end.
17:33 How long did that take you?
17:35 I had four weeks to do it.
17:36 I wish I had longer,
17:38 but yeah, they literally only gave me four weeks.
17:40 What are you expecting here today?
17:42 You seem to have had quite a few interesting people
17:44 coming along so far.
17:46 I've had a lot of kids so far be incredibly excited.
17:50 I've had quite a few stone lovers already.
17:52 Getting used to the whole having new ages
17:55 might be a bit of a tundra around here as well.
17:57 So hopefully as long as people just keep coming in
18:00 and they get excited,
18:01 that's all I can really hope for.
18:03 Is the rain dampening your spirits at all
18:05 or are you powering through?
18:06 At the moment, powering through,
18:08 which is really quite nice.
18:09 It's people finding it,
18:11 the rain's bringing them towards me,
18:12 which is great.
18:13 I'm kind of used to it.
18:15 I've worked jobs out in the rain before now,
18:17 so it doesn't fall to me at all.
18:19 Amazing.
18:21 Kerry, thank you so much for joining us.
18:23 Enjoy the rest of the festival.
18:24 Thank you.
18:25 Thankfully, the weather has calmed down a bit now
18:37 as we move on to our second maker from Under the Rainbow,
18:41 an events group passionate about providing
18:43 an inclusive platform to showcase the artwork
18:46 of South East creatives.
18:48 Their aim is to enable all,
18:50 including newly emerging artists,
18:52 the opportunity to exhibit their work
18:54 in a popular leisure destination,
18:56 making art more accessible to the wider community.
18:59 So I'm now joined with Alison Ridley and Eva Page
19:02 from the Under the Rainbow exhibition.
19:04 So you guys must be really excited
19:06 to be at the Prairie Life Festival.
19:08 A little bit rainy, isn't it?
19:09 But what can we expect from your hut today?
19:13 Well, we're here,
19:14 we've brought some of our artwork along with us
19:16 and we're here to just engage with visitors
19:20 and promote and talk about what we do as an art exhibition
19:25 and also to talk about our sister event,
19:30 which is coming to Rochester in October.
19:32 Well, we're really looking forward
19:33 to hearing a bit more about that.
19:34 And you are both artists as well,
19:36 so you brought some of your artwork with you today.
19:38 So Eva, tell me a bit about some of the prints
19:40 we have from you today.
19:42 And so we have, my prints and my artworks
19:45 are nature related, so florals,
19:49 which is my summery collection
19:51 and I recently went to my new collection with trees,
19:54 which is more kind of peaceful and contemporary.
19:57 And you've done so many exhibitions now at Blue Water,
20:00 which I've had the honour of coming along to.
20:02 So when's your next one?
20:03 What can we expect next?
20:05 So our next Blue Water event will be our winter exhibition,
20:09 which will run from around mid-November till mid-December.
20:13 It's such an exciting event
20:16 because it's always exciting around Christmas time.
20:20 And we're hoping to be able to showcase
20:22 lots of artists again,
20:24 both professional artists and as you know,
20:27 our emerging artists who we support and mentor
20:32 and encourage to get on their art journey.
20:36 So you've brought some of your prints today.
20:39 Can people buy these?
20:40 Yes, everything is available for sale.
20:43 It's available on my website at evapage.com
20:48 so everyone can browse through and have a print or original
20:53 and hopefully will bring a bit of sunshine
20:55 in this beautiful weather.
20:57 And a really important aspect for both of you
21:00 is supporting Kent artists
21:02 and you've sort of branched out
21:03 to the South East in general as well, haven't you?
21:05 So why is that so important
21:06 to support local independent artists
21:08 who may just be starting out?
21:10 Well, I think the art world is quite a cutthroat world
21:15 and it can be very difficult for artists
21:18 to promote their business,
21:21 but also to get themselves into galleries
21:26 and into exhibitions.
21:28 They can be quite costly
21:31 and we pride ourselves in being able to give,
21:35 especially with Under the Rainbow events,
21:36 give artists a platform that's affordable
21:40 and many of our emerging artists
21:42 have then gone on to exhibit in London
21:46 and once they've got a foothold in a really good exhibition,
21:51 they can go on to much bigger and better things.
21:53 And we have such huge amount of talent in,
21:57 well, across the country.
21:59 Obviously we support South East artists,
22:02 Kent artists initially,
22:04 but we now get engagements and applications
22:09 from all over the South
22:11 and in fact, we've had some from much further afield.
22:14 And it's important to be able to support artists.
22:18 Artists understand how other artists need supporting
22:22 and that's what we try and do.
22:24 And do you often come to festivals, markets,
22:27 things like that,
22:28 and why do you think these sorts of events
22:29 are important for independent businesses
22:32 or communities that are just starting out?
22:34 So we're trying as much as possible.
22:36 It's very difficult because we're always organising events.
22:40 So always super busy,
22:41 but we're trying to attend and meet artists in person.
22:45 And even today, being here already,
22:47 we've met some links and invited a few of the artists
22:50 being here to perhaps join us and have a look
22:52 so we can help them and support them in the future.
22:54 And we've got to mention the rain.
22:56 We cannot ignore the rain.
22:58 It's very British, isn't it, to have it at a festival,
23:00 but is it going to dampen your spirits at all today?
23:03 Absolutely not.
23:04 No, no, we're very used to the British weather.
23:08 And yeah, it wouldn't be a British summer
23:11 without a bit of rain.
23:12 So it's absolutely fine.
23:13 It's wonderful being here.
23:15 Really exciting.
23:16 It's lovely to hear all the music
23:18 and a little bit of rain never hurt anyone.
23:21 Exactly that.
23:22 And you were just telling me as well
23:23 about the Rochester event that you have coming up.
23:25 Tell me a bit more about that.
23:27 Rochester is very exciting, actually.
23:29 It's been organised for past year.
23:32 We're still open for artists to exhibit.
23:35 And it's filling up.
23:37 We're inviting loads of local communities,
23:40 loads of businesses.
23:41 We are working with the local Rochester businesses
23:43 as well as artists.
23:45 So we will have artisan chocolate makers
23:48 and just generally businesses joining us from High Street
23:52 to kind of link together.
23:53 And we are stronger together if we support each other.
23:57 We had you on our show "Made in Kent" a few months ago.
24:00 So what's changed for you since then?
24:03 Well, we've had a really exciting year.
24:05 We were actually nominated
24:07 for a Muddy Stilettos award, regional award,
24:10 and we won the Best Kent Gallery.
24:14 And the exposure we've had from KMTV
24:18 and your support has been amazing.
24:20 Since we started, you've supported us from the beginning.
24:23 And it's just really lovely.
24:25 And it's amazing how the networking
24:28 and the support has gone on now.
24:31 So things are sort of snowballing for us.
24:34 And we've been up against quite prestigious galleries
24:38 that have been running their businesses
24:42 for a very long time.
24:43 And we're relatively new,
24:45 but we offer something completely different.
24:47 And we represent local regional artists,
24:51 not just big celebrity artists and big names.
24:55 So we're very proud of what we've achieved.
24:58 And we couldn't have done it without the support
25:01 of you guys, our amazing team,
25:03 and all our artists mostly who are brilliant
25:06 and really enjoyed exhibiting with us.
25:09 Now, art is a really competitive industry
25:12 to get into, isn't it?
25:13 So for artists who are maybe just starting out,
25:16 wanting to get into the industry,
25:17 what advice would you give to them?
25:19 It's actually quite a scary journey
25:22 when you're beginning an emerging artist.
25:24 I have been there not that long ago,
25:26 and I do remember.
25:27 And it gives me butterflies
25:28 when I see a new artist walking
25:30 and starting the journey because it is scary.
25:33 But don't be, just go for it.
25:36 Ask everyone for help.
25:38 There's loads of wonderful artists
25:39 and people just generally to help if you just ask.
25:42 So just go for it.
25:44 Is it quite expensive to start off as an artist as well?
25:47 Is it something that is accessible to everybody?
25:50 I mean, it can be a little bit of a sort of leap of faith
25:53 when you're starting out as an artist,
25:55 especially if you're looking at,
25:58 as a career, being an artist and having it as a career.
26:04 Materials are expensive.
26:06 There's a lot of competition.
26:08 And as I said before, it can be,
26:11 if you're trying to get into a gallery,
26:14 you need a portfolio of sales very often
26:18 to get into a gallery.
26:20 And they don't want you
26:24 unless you've got a portfolio of sales.
26:26 So it's a kind of, yeah, swings and roundabouts.
26:29 It's quite difficult for artists.
26:31 Materials are expensive.
26:33 The cost of exhibiting can be extortionate.
26:38 Some galleries charge 50% commission on work,
26:41 or they only take one or two pieces,
26:44 or you have to pay quite a lot per piece
26:47 to get into an exhibition or a gallery.
26:50 I think one of the things that we can offer
26:52 with Under the Rainbow Events
26:53 is a much more cost-effective platform.
26:58 And when we're looking at taking on artists
27:01 or selecting artists for one of our exhibitions,
27:04 we look at the whole backstory of the artists.
27:07 We're not just looking at their art.
27:09 We're looking at their journey to get to where they have.
27:13 So we can then highlight artists
27:16 who are trying to get a foothold into the art world.
27:21 And that's where we can step in
27:23 and help them and mentor them
27:25 and give them confidence, but while keeping it real.
27:29 And Under the Rainbow's come such a long way.
27:32 So what's next?
27:34 How do you hope the future will go?
27:36 I think the future looks super bright for us.
27:39 And we just have been shortlisted
27:41 to a prestigious award of South of England,
27:45 which just being shortlisted,
27:49 it's a word already for us.
27:52 We'd just like to branch out more and support more,
27:55 do more pop-up exhibitions,
27:56 as well as obviously Blue Water,
27:58 which we are friends
28:00 and have a wonderful relationship with them.
28:03 So we'd like to be there,
28:04 but other events as well to go across Kent and South East.
28:08 Thank you both Eva and Alison for joining us today.
28:11 (upbeat music)
28:13 Now our final vendor from the Made in Kent market
28:25 is Bella Bela from Candlewise.
28:27 She has a number of candles dedicated to Kent locations
28:31 and also from around the world.
28:33 Now I'm going to be finding out all about her business
28:36 and maybe getting to smell a few of her candles as well.
28:40 Joining me now is Bella Bela from Candlewise
28:43 to tell me all about her business.
28:45 So thank you so much for joining us today despite the rain.
28:48 So tell me, what can we expect from you today?
28:51 So I'm very happy to be here.
28:52 Thank you very much for having me.
28:54 I'm expecting a great show
28:56 where I'm also going to have fun
28:58 because I love music and I love meeting new people.
29:00 If it stays dry, it'll be perfect.
29:02 Of course, but you can't have a festival
29:04 without some rain in Britain, can you?
29:06 Definitely not, no we cannot.
29:08 So tell me all about your candles.
29:10 You've got quite a range here.
29:11 So tell me about your business.
29:12 How did it all begin for you?
29:14 So I started back in 2021
29:17 and I went from one string to another one,
29:20 which I'm very happy.
29:21 So I'm a first person.
29:22 And I think all my passion is translating to my creations.
29:26 So I have a few new things since beginning of the year
29:30 and I just keep creating more and more and more.
29:33 So you've got candles, you've got sort of re-diffusers.
29:36 Tell me about the range of products you have.
29:38 Yeah, so candles are my main thing.
29:41 Then I have re-diffusers.
29:43 I start making incense based on my destinations.
29:46 I also have candle making kits, air fresheners,
29:50 scoopable melds, and I always create my signature collections
29:55 and this back in June, I did a collection called Wilden,
30:00 which is all to do with our lovely area.
30:02 Now your candles are dedicated to around the world,
30:05 aren't they?
30:06 So do you have any dedicated to where we are
30:08 in Alpington?
30:09 I don't.
30:10 Maybe that'll be the next one.
30:12 Maybe be the next one, yes, why not?
30:14 Exactly, but you have a few dedicated to Kent, don't you?
30:17 So tell me a bit more about those.
30:18 I do, so I have my Ben and Ben, which is where I'm based,
30:22 and it's all to do with the countryside walks.
30:24 I also have, if you change to UK,
30:28 you'll be my Marylebone, Kensington, and Hastings.
30:32 And your business is quite sustainable, isn't it,
30:35 with how you work.
30:36 So tell me a bit more about how you try to be sustainable.
30:39 Yeah, so sustainability for me is key,
30:41 and I won an award of the best candle gift in Kent
30:46 for the sustainability.
30:48 And it's all the way I work, and then my packaging
30:51 and everything that I use to make the candles
30:53 and the other products.
30:54 So I use UK suppliers only, working during the day
30:59 to avoid turning on the lights.
31:01 If I can work from outside, I do work from outside.
31:04 I do, if it's reasonable, I say eight miles,
31:08 so I do walking for my deliveries,
31:09 or the local deliveries instead of driving.
31:12 I try to do as many local shows as I can
31:15 to avoid the carbon footprint traveling around.
31:19 So you do quite a few markets, festivals, don't you?
31:22 So why is that so good for your business?
31:24 It's good, around exposure, and as I said,
31:27 I love meeting people.
31:28 I love to be here, enjoy meeting new people,
31:31 and explaining what I do,
31:34 because sometimes online, people don't know, actually,
31:37 all the passion that goes into that.
31:40 And you have a brand new line range.
31:43 Tell me about your new products that have come in.
31:45 Yeah, so the Wilton is fairly new,
31:47 and it's just, it's my signature, it's just seasonal.
31:51 So once it's gone, it's gone.
31:53 For Christmas, I'm preparing a few new things,
31:57 and probably launching around September,
31:59 and I cannot wait, because there'll be new products
32:01 coming for the Christmas collection.
32:03 How exciting, and you also said to me that,
32:05 actually, when it's cold and rainy,
32:07 people are more inclined to buy a candle, aren't they?
32:09 So is the rain actually on your side today?
32:12 It is, actually, because after a busy day,
32:15 people want to go home, light a candle,
32:17 sit back on the sofa, relax, or just cook dinner,
32:20 lighting a candle, enjoy something that they got.
32:23 And what's next for you?
32:24 Do you have any new exciting projects in the pipeline?
32:27 So I do have a few shows coming.
32:31 So basically, I'm booked up to the end of the year,
32:34 every single weekend.
32:35 I'm trying to find some free time for me,
32:38 but no, so there'll be, as I said,
32:40 the Christmas ones coming,
32:43 and then for my next ones,
32:44 we'll be like, oh, for next year.
32:46 Now, it's quite competitive,
32:48 the candle industry, isn't it?
32:49 So tell me, how do you compete,
32:51 and make sure that your products are unique
32:53 compared to your competitors?
32:54 Yeah, unique, so quality, and experience.
32:59 I always say, people do can make candles,
33:02 but sometimes, there's a few things
33:04 that makes my candles stand out from the competitors,
33:08 and it's the packaging, it's the presentation,
33:12 and the way I present that, it's me.
33:15 Why is it so important to support
33:18 local, independent businesses?
33:19 Why is that important?
33:21 Because we are always starting, we are always small,
33:24 and we all need to take something for the living,
33:28 and whenever you buy from big chains,
33:30 sometimes you don't know where you're getting this from,
33:33 and supporting local businesses, small businesses,
33:35 you know the person, you've been making this stuff,
33:38 and you put their heart on it,
33:40 and you know how hard it is, as well,
33:42 to make, to be in the shows,
33:45 to expose, and to do all the other things.
33:47 So, could you just walk me through the process
33:49 of how you actually make your candles, as well?
33:51 Yeah, so there's a bit of business secrets, I would say,
33:54 but we always start with the preparation, with the week.
33:57 The week needs to be prepared, and then you need,
34:00 I always say making candles is a combination
34:02 of maths, science, and physics,
34:05 and it's a science that goes behind.
34:07 Then you have the process of melting,
34:08 so reaching the right temperature,
34:10 the right quantity of fragrance you add into your candles,
34:14 until you get the final product, it takes a long, long time.
34:19 And also, sometimes when you buy a candle,
34:22 it doesn't last very long, so is there kind of an art
34:24 to making them last longer, and I guess on average,
34:27 how long do your candles usually last for, as well?
34:29 So, for my large one, it's just like 40 hours burning time,
34:32 I would say 40 plus, but it's a mixture,
34:35 so some candles, there's too much fragrance.
34:38 The quality of the wax, I think, is key.
34:41 If you use a good quality wax,
34:43 and go with a quality fragrance,
34:45 the candle you use, then that will last for a long time.
34:49 Now, what are some of the pressures
34:50 that local businesses are facing at the moment,
34:52 and how has this impacted you?
34:54 Yeah, cost of living, so people are still worried
34:57 about spending more than they want,
34:59 and mainly for consumables like this,
35:01 so people don't need a candle to live,
35:02 they need food, they need clothes, but not a candle.
35:06 So, I haven't been too much affected about that,
35:09 so my business is still going, it's still healthy,
35:12 and I'm happy with that, but I know some people,
35:15 but they're struggling, so I had so many shops
35:18 that I know the owners, so they've been closing down,
35:20 because it's the cost of rent,
35:22 and then people, the food cost dropped,
35:24 and people are thinking that they're more
35:26 trying to enjoy themselves, rather than buying things.
35:29 Yeah, I was going to ask you,
35:30 I guess the people are scaling back on luxuries,
35:33 are they still buying candles, essentially?
35:35 They are, they are, they are buying,
35:36 so every time I go out, I'm in an event,
35:39 it's always a success, so I must be doing something right.
35:43 You must be exactly that.
35:45 Now, Bella, your tagline is that
35:47 it's not an ordinary candle, it's a whole new experience,
35:49 so tell me, how is it a whole new experience?
35:52 So, the thing is, there's two main things
35:54 for the experience, I don't want on my labels
35:57 what the candle smell, if you get one on my candle
36:00 and you smell, you like or you don't like.
36:01 Sometimes you smell it, oh, that's a strawberry,
36:03 I said, no it's not, but your nose is smelling strawberry,
36:07 and also, because you can travel around the world
36:09 through the scents, so it's not just an ordinary candle,
36:12 just don't buy a candle too light,
36:14 there's all this story behind each of the candles.
36:16 Now, do you actually have people
36:18 buying your candles from overseas,
36:19 as you've got one dedicated to across the globe,
36:22 are you actually having people from across the globe
36:24 buying your candles?
36:25 Yes, I do, and funny enough, when people want to buy gifts,
36:28 they take my UK candles abroad to give to their friends.
36:33 Amazing, Bella, thank you so much for joining us today,
36:35 and enjoy the rest of the festival.
36:37 Yes, thank you so much.
36:39 We're just a few short moments away
36:48 from the first headliners of the night taking to the stage.
36:51 Let's quickly see what they have to say
36:52 about performing tonight.
36:53 I left this morning at quarter to nine from West Wales,
36:56 and I'm here now, so I'm very glad.
36:58 I really needed a wee, I must admit,
37:00 it was a long journey, I needed a wee.
37:02 Nice, thank you very much.
37:03 So, as I said, we're here at Priory Live,
37:07 it's the first time that you guys played this festival,
37:09 am I right in saying that?
37:10 Yeah, yeah.
37:11 So what are you most looking forward to
37:12 about playing the festival?
37:14 Well, we played in Gravesend a few weeks ago,
37:18 a free festival in Gravesend,
37:20 so we got the smell and the taste of Kent people.
37:23 Yeah, and what was your reaction to that?
37:25 Well, you know.
37:26 Well, Mexican, I thought, I got Mexican food.
37:28 Yeah, I mean, they're quite special, aren't they,
37:29 Kent people, you know what I mean?
37:31 They have a certain way about themselves.
37:32 Yeah.
37:33 You know what I mean?
37:34 It's like--
37:35 They're not Essex, they're not Surrey, they're Kent.
37:36 Exactly, you know what I mean?
37:38 You know when they come in,
37:39 as long as you've got one of those little devices,
37:42 when you know they've got,
37:42 'cause they've all got tags on,
37:44 so as long as you know--
37:44 You can just propel them,
37:45 like with their ankles, stop.
37:46 Propel them with the tags.
37:47 We're on 30.
37:49 You can't leave Kent.
37:50 When they get beyond 30, that light changes,
37:52 and then they get ejected out.
37:53 Exactly.
37:54 They are pupils.
37:55 Exactly.
37:56 That's what we've heard, anyway.
37:58 The weather's not been great today,
37:59 it's been raining all day.
38:00 It's not now, it's sunny.
38:01 It's not now, it's sunny now.
38:02 Do you think the rain maybe has an effect
38:04 on these things, or people just don't really care?
38:05 They just don't care.
38:05 Of course it does.
38:06 It has a big effect on us driving down,
38:07 'cause it was torrential on the way down,
38:09 and I'm trying to, you know,
38:10 thinking are they gonna call it off,
38:11 and then we get to here,
38:13 and the weather realizes that dodgy here,
38:16 we're staying out for the summer,
38:17 and good enough,
38:18 and then, you know, God goes,
38:20 "Turn the water off now."
38:21 (laughing)
38:22 There you go, there you go.
38:23 Turn the water, Earth hasn't paid the bill.
38:25 Turn the water off.
38:27 Let's get some heat in there.
38:28 Exactly.
38:28 That's why we're here.
38:29 Do you guys have a favorite song
38:30 that you like to play when you're doing these kind of things,
38:33 or is it anything kind of--
38:34 We do, we do.
38:35 It changes, though.
38:36 At the moment, I'd say it was a song called Trust in Time.
38:39 It's short, it's fast, it's energetic.
38:41 We play it early 'cause we can.
38:42 We wouldn't be able to do it later on,
38:44 we'd all be knackered.
38:44 Yeah.
38:45 I'm quite happy because the last,
38:47 the Stereo MCs are playing tonight,
38:49 and the last time we played with Stereo MCs,
38:50 it was absolutely slaughtering it down as well,
38:53 on a beach in Devon.
38:55 In Devon.
38:56 In July.
38:56 You guys, Stereo MCs, maybe a spring break.
38:58 So, hopefully, the waves gonna stay off
39:00 so I can watch the Stereo MCs tonight.
39:02 Fantastic.
39:02 Well, following Dodgy is no stranger
39:04 to the Priory Live main stage.
39:06 They were headliners back in 2021.
39:08 Top Loader make an Orpington return this evening.
39:11 Let's see what they have to say about their return.
39:13 Okay, so we're here with Joe from Top Loader.
39:14 Joe, thank you very much for joining me today.
39:16 Pleasure.
39:17 First of all, how does it feel being back at Priory?
39:18 Obviously, you headlined in 2021.
39:20 Yeah, I was trying to work out when it was.
39:22 I was thinking, was it last year?
39:23 This summer's all kind of mulled into one.
39:25 That's right.
39:26 It was 2021.
39:27 2021, yeah, I know, it's great.
39:27 I mean, it's the first one we've done then.
39:30 The response was great.
39:31 I like coming back here.
39:33 A lot of my family from this area,
39:34 and I sort of grew up here when I was a lot younger,
39:37 so it was nice to come back.
39:38 A lot of family coming.
39:40 Me uncle Chris is coming.
39:41 So, yeah, I mean, and the crowd response was great.
39:44 We had a great time,
39:45 and hopefully we're going to have more of the same weather,
39:48 depending, hopefully.
39:49 So, yeah, I was going to ask you,
39:49 what kind of brings you back here?
39:50 Was it the response from the crowd last time?
39:52 Is it that you just love playing in Kent?
39:53 What is it really?
39:55 I just think it's always nice when you never know
39:57 when it's your first festival you've done,
39:59 but obviously, we know it's a great festival.
40:01 The turnout's great.
40:02 The crowd are really behind it.
40:03 I mean, it was one of the standout ones of that summer.
40:06 So, when the offer came through of playing again,
40:09 it was totally a no-brainer, and we're here.
40:12 And, you know, if the rain stays off, we'll be very happy.
40:16 Well, I was going to ask, the weather's not been great.
40:17 Do you think that kind of has an effect on performances
40:20 and people coming to see,
40:20 or do you think people don't really mind?
40:22 It can go either way, really.
40:23 I mean, as a band, you can always go,
40:25 "Oh, it's much harder when it's raining."
40:26 But really, weirdly, we've seen it this summer as well,
40:28 because this has happened quite a lot, really.
40:29 People are starting to get that very stoic,
40:31 right, we're going out, we're going to get the max on,
40:34 get the umbrellas on, you know, and get on with it.
40:37 And so, I don't think it's,
40:39 I think people are made of stronger stuff now
40:40 after the last few years we've had, you know?
40:42 So, people want to go out and have a good time,
40:44 no matter what.
40:45 Absolutely, and there's a lot of people here today.
40:46 The festival looks great, the atmosphere's really good.
40:48 Have you seen much of it?
40:49 Have you been out?
40:50 No, I've just literally got here,
40:51 and in our beautiful tent surroundings.
40:55 But I will be having a, as I say, my Uncle Chris is here,
40:57 so I'll be going out to find him in a bit.
40:59 Nice, yeah, there's something for everyone to do,
41:00 so it'll be really great.
41:02 When you're performing to crowds like this,
41:03 is there a specific song,
41:04 you know, obviously I ain't one of those dancing,
41:05 but is there a specific kind of other song
41:07 that people really like?
41:07 Do you know what, I mean, our festival set's very much
41:11 mixed up with sort of old songs, newer stuff.
41:12 We've got a few covers we're changing,
41:15 so it'll be a very different set
41:16 than we did the last time here.
41:19 But yeah, you kind of read the crowd,
41:20 and we're thoroughly enjoying being out,
41:22 playing festivals and stuff at the moment,
41:23 so it's a nice thing to do in the summer, really.
41:26 Fantastic, Joe, thank you very much.
41:27 Pleasure.
41:28 Now, what makes the Priory Festival
41:29 a little different this year
41:30 is the fact that they have more than one
41:32 headliner on the bill.
41:33 Let's see which acts people are most excited
41:35 to see live on stage tonight.
41:37 Yeah, I mean, obviously they've got
41:37 some great headliners.
41:40 I mean, all of them.
41:41 I mean, from my youth, I obviously remember
41:44 Top Loader and Dodgy and Stereo MC,
41:48 so that is just, you know, brilliantly exciting.
41:51 Stereo MCs.
41:53 Obviously Top Loader.
41:54 I've seen Top Loader, they were fantastic,
41:56 but I've heard that Stereo MC and Dodgy are brilliant,
41:59 and so all of them.
42:01 I'm not sure, really, I didn't look before I came,
42:03 so I'm just gonna stay all night and check it out.
42:05 I love Stereo MCs.
42:07 Stereo MCs.
42:09 I was a fan of them.
42:10 Probably Top Loader, that's who we came for, yeah.
42:13 Yeah, yeah, Top Loader is really who we came for.
42:15 I really enjoyed Dodgy just now,
42:18 but I'm looking forward to Top Loader that are coming up.
42:20 I'm looking forward to seeing Dodgy,
42:22 that's the reason I came,
42:23 'cause I was a big Dodgy fan back in the '90s.
42:25 Dodgy are a band that I've known for quite a long time.
42:29 Got a couple of their albums, they're really good, yeah.
42:31 That's the end of a very cold, wet, windy
42:34 Priory Live 2023.
42:35 A big thank you to all of the acts,
42:36 all of the vendors, everyone that's come here
42:38 to make it so special.
42:39 It's been a great day.
42:41 I'm off to watch Top Loader.
42:42 See you later.
42:43 (upbeat music)
42:45 (upbeat music)
42:48 (upbeat music)
42:50 (upbeat music)
42:53 (upbeat music)
42:56 (upbeat music)
42:58 (upbeat music)
43:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]