The #LoveTheReans Festival, held from September 6th to 8th, showcased the vibrant culture and talent of Whitmore Reans with a series of free events filled with music, workshops, and poetry.

The festival, hosted by the Newhampton Arts Centre (NAC), Gatis Community Space, and Wildside Activity Centre, was a testament to the community’s spirit and creativity.

The opening event, a music night hosted by Kerry Worton at NAC, was a resounding success. It featured eight local acts including Daran Crook and Friends inc Curtis, Notion of Fortune, Kerry Worton Trio, Deeproot Juice, Si Riley, Timothy Parkes, No Business, and Bansal Electrics. The genres spanned from electronica to folk and rock, with a fantastic variety of instruments, from harmonicas to theremins, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the tent located at the centre.

Saturday's workshops at Wildside Activity Centre drew a dedicated crowd. Wolverhampton entrepreneur Paz Keer, known for his celebrity cake creations, shared engaging stories about his experiences, including making a Predator cake for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Attendees also engaged in beeswax candle making and natural dye workshops, producing beautiful pieces. Diyodi Menon presented impactful short films on living with cancer and domestic violence, adding a profound element to the day’s activities.

The poetry and music jam on Saturday evening, hosted by Arun Kapur, provided a nurturing environment for local poets and spoken word artists to share their work. The event also featured folk tunes from Zach Barrance among other musical acts, further highlighting the community’s diverse artistic talents.

Events on Sunday were at Gatis Community Space. The Man About Mondays showcase and the Reans Got Talent events were also well received, showcasing a wide array of local skills and passions.

Attendees described the festival as “supportive, well-organised” and “inspiring for families,” reflecting the festival's warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Reflecting on the festival, Trevelyan Wright, CEO of Newhampton Arts Centre, remarked, “We've had three days of events showing that Whitmore Reans is not just a place bursting with skilled and talented people, it's also a supportive and generous place when it comes to turning out and celebrating all of this local brilliance. A special thanks to Curiosity Productions, another local business, for pulling all this together so well.”

This event was made possible by funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority's and HM Government's Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund! The #LoveTheReans Festival successfully demonstrated the creativity, talent, and unity of the Whitmore Reans community, leaving many eager for its return next year.