Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Author: susan

  • Gravesham shines during the annual Christmas Festival of Lights

    Gravesham shines during the annual Christmas Festival of Lights

    Gravesend Town Centre was brought to a halt with a spectacular lantern parade as part of the Gravesham Festival of Christmas Lights on Friday 16th November which incorporated the switching on of the town’s Christmas Lights. The celebrations were organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with Cohesion Plus and Gravesham Borough Council.

    Some 3,500 from across 11 schools enjoyed the lantern parade led by partners and representatives from various faith and community organisations.

    Entertainment was provided by Crocodile Style Brass, Knights Academy, Folk in Fusion Drumming Santas, Stilt Batteristas and Bloco Fogo Samba. The parade was led by a giant Garuda Bird called Shanti which was specially lit up for the occasion. The Christmas Lights were switched on in the Town Centre as the parade passed by.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “A key element of our work is to bring communities together and celebrate our shared British values. This festival is a great example of this. It also showcases how the arts are a positive tool in terms of community engagement and outreach with diverse communities. We are very grateful to all our partners for their support with this project and I am very proud of how we have been able to develop the festival over the last few years so that now it is one of the highlights of the local community calendar.”

  • Inter Faith Weeks brings faith groups together

    Inter Faith Weeks brings faith groups together

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Kent County Council worked in partnership to bring faith groups and partners together to mark National Inter Faith Week. 20 representatives from partner agencies including Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Victim Support, NHS and the Heart of Kent Hospice attended both the Gravesham Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara and the Gravesend Hindu Mandir (Temple) to learn more about the Sikh and Hindu faiths and practices. This was part of the Diverse Open Doors week where places of worship around Kent opened their doors to visitors from different faiths.

    This was followed by an Inter Faith event hosted at County Hall in Maidstone which was attended by around 60 people. The event was addressed by Gurvinder Sandher from Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cllr Michael Hill from Kent County Council and Jatinder Birdi the Co-Chair of the Inter Faith Network for the UK. Their then followed a round table exercise where representatives from the Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i and Jewish faiths talked about the tenets of their religion and delegates went from table to table to learn more and ask questions.

    Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am delighted that we were able to work with Kent County Council to arrange some events for National Inter Faith Week. It is important that events like this are marked and are used as an opportunity to bring different faith and community groups together to celebrate our shared values. The feedback has been very positive and gives us something to build upon for next year.”

  • Diwali Celebrations bring communities together

    Diwali Celebrations bring communities together

    The Mayor of Gravesham Councillor David Hurley and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhagwaran Vasudaven were the chief guests at the Diwali celebrations which took place on Saturday 10th November at the Civic Centre in Gravesend. Lanterns and candles were lit to symbolise the essence of Diwali which celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

    The event was organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Hindu Cultural Society and Cohesion Plus and started with a moment of silence to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ending of the First World War. The 300 guests then enjoyed an array of performances by local young people including the Hindu Cultural Society, Saheli Dancers, Gravesend and Gillingham Shakha Group and finale by Four by Four Bhangra Youth Club.

    A special award was presented to Mrs Daya Sharma for her outstanding standing service and commitment to the local community over the last 30 years including being one of the leading lights in the establishing of the Hindu Mandir (Temple) on Manor Road.

    Once the celebrations finished inside, a community parade led by the Hindu Cultural Society featuring the Mayor, Deputy Lord Lieutenant and guests went from the Community Square to the Hindu Mandir.

    Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council added “It was great to see the local community coming together from across different faiths and backgrounds to celebrate the festival of Diwali. It was especially poignant as the event took place on the same weekend as the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War One and what that symbolised with light overcoming darkness.”

    [arve url=”https://www.facebook.com/CohesionPlusEvents/videos/324333015012983/”]

  • KECC Celebrate 10 Years of the Dartford Festival of Light

    KECC Celebrate 10 Years of the Dartford Festival of Light

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council was proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Dartford Festival of Light on Friday October 19th. Around 1500 people participated in the community festival which celebrates the values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality. Working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Cohesion Plus, the event proved to be as popular as ever and was a great showcase of the fantastic artwork which young people from 8 local schools had created working with Same Sky.

    The festival included performances on One Bell Corner by the Folk in Fusion Drumming Collective, Bloco Fogo Samba and the Stilt Batteristas. They were joined by Hilary the Triceratops who roamed the High Street interacting with members of the public. There was then a lantern parade featuring local schools which was led by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr David Mote, Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE and Lak Heer from the Bostall Group who was the event sponsor. The parade went from the High Street via Suffolk Road into the Orchards Shopping Centre, left out towards Holy Trinity Church before climaxing in Central Park. The entrance in Central Park was especially lit up for the occasions with lanterns as was the area around the Band Stand.

    The celebrations climaxed with a presentation to local schools to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Festival and a colourful fireworks display.

    Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am very proud of what we have achieved with the Dartford Festival of Light. The whole ethos of the event is to bring communities together and celebrate our shared values and is an event that the community of Dartford should be proud of. I hope that we can continue to evolve the festival and get more and more people involved.”

  • 70th Anniversary of the Windrush herald a success

    70th Anniversary of the Windrush herald a success

    The 70th anniversary of the arrival of the SSE Windrush took place on Tuesday 16th October at the Woodville in Gravesend. The event was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council, the North Kent Caribbean Network and 2B Scene Theatre and celebrated the significant contributions made by the Caribbean communities to the borough. The event was also supported by funding from the KCC Members Fund.

    The celebrations were opened with band Common Denominator who played classic reggae songs as some 250 guests made their way into the Woodville. There were also poignant dramatic performances around the theme of immigration and early racism experienced by the Windrush generation upon their arrival into the UK in the 40s by artists Caroline Muraldo and Gravesham resident Gary Cordice.

    Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargwaren Vasudaven, Deputy Mayor Cllr Lesley Boycott, KCC Cllr Lauren Sullivan and Chief Officer Gavin McKinnon from Kent Police amongst others. Talks were also given by local charity Refocus who work with young people and there were performances by the Common Denominator Band, North Kent Caribbean Association and Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective.

    Special awards were presented during the evening recognising the many achievements and contributions to the borough by local entrepreneurs, business owners and community workers. Winners included Elliot Reid from Revitalize Health and Fitness Clinic and Thomas – James Bramble a young footballer currently playing for Gillingham FC. Others recognised included local barbers, Kimoy Kirnon and Paul Williams, Claudette Bramble who runs the Caribbean Active Retirement Group, Earlyn Francis local restaurant owner, and the Gravesend West Indian Football Club who enjoyed much success between 1984 and 1995.

    A special life time achievement award was presented to local celebrity/midwife Sister Ursula Sullivan affectionately known as ‘Sully’. The award recognised Sister Sullivan’s journey from Trinidad to the UK in the early 40’s where she encountered social isolation and racism through to her extensive and ground breaking work as Head Nurse at the Antenatal Clinic at the Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. It is believed that Sister Sullivan stopped counting at 1,500 when asked how many children she had delivered over the years.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am incredibly proud to have put on this event in partnership to not only celebrate 70 years since the arrival of the SSE Windrush but to also recognise the many positive contributions the Windrush generation have made to the UK. To have so many guests in attendance celebrating the 70th anniversary during Black History Month really speaks volumes and I am so pleased that we were able to recognise and commemorate the prolific legacy the Caribbean community has established over the years here in Gravesham.”

  • Swale Light Festival Spectacular

    Swale Light Festival Spectacular

    KECC was pleased to have been a partner on the Swale Fusion Festival of Light which took place on Friday October 12th in Sittingbourne working with Swale Borough Council and Cohesion Plus. The aim of the festival was to support community cohesion and celebrate shared British values shinning a light on the things that bind us together.

    The Festival began in Sittingbourne High Street with spectacular performances from Bloco Fogo Samba, the Folk in Fusion Drumming Collective and the Stilt Batteristas which were enjoyed by the Chief Guests Deputy Lord Lieutenant Paul Auston and Deputy Mayor of Swale Cllr Ken Ingleton.

    The Festival then continued with a special lantern parade featuring local residents and 8 local schools that had created lanterns around the values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality.

    The celebrations climaxed in Albany Park which was specially decorated for the evening with ocean themed lights with a spectacular firework display.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was exhilarating to see so many people come together to not only celebrate the Festival but also our shared values that bind us together as a community. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as the parade made its way through the town centre and their reaction to the musicians made all the hard work worthwhile. I just hope that we can raise the funds to deliver the event again next year working in partnership with Swale Borough Council.”

  • 70th Anniversary of the arrival of the SSE Windrush

    70th Anniversary of the arrival of the SSE Windrush

    A special community event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the SSE Windrush will take place on Tuesday 16th October at the Woodville in Gravesend. The event has been organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council, the North Kent Caribbean Network and 2B Scene Theatre and will celebrate the many contributions made by the Caribbean communities to the borough.

    There will be an evening of drama, music and food from the Islands and will feature guest speakers as well as a presentation of awards recognising the outstanding contributions made by the Caribbean communities.

    Special performances will take place focusing on the story of the Windrush which arrived in Tilbury in 1948 carrying passengers from the Caribbean who were invited by Britain to assist with post war reconstruction.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am incredibly pleased that we are able to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush as it marks an important time in the history of this country. The social and economic climate has evolved drastically since the Windrush generation arrived and this event is a way to recognise and be grateful for the positive contribution made by them. I have always championed Gravesham as a beacon that other parts of the country could learn from in terms of cohesion, integration and the celebrating of shared values and what better place for this community celebration to take place then here.”

     

  • Wrotham Festival of Light success

    Wrotham Festival of Light success

    The rural village of Wrotham once again played host to the 6th Wrotham Festival of Light organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cohesion Plus and Saint Georges Primary School.

    The festival was kicked off by a range of vibrant performances outside Saint George’s Church from the likes of the Stilt Batteristas, Cohesion Plus produced Folk in Fusion Drumming Collective and Bloco Fogo Samba.

    The Lantern Light Parade then began making its way from Saint George’s Church up through the village and finishing at the Cricket Ground where crowds were able to enjoy the annual fireworks display produced by Phoenix.

    The parade featured 4 local schools and some 500 people who had worked with Same Sky Arts to create colourful lanterns which were lit and displayed during the parade. Those taking part in the parade were joined by the bands who brought a carnival vibe to the festival.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “Working across rural and urban settings is important to us as the main ethos of our work is to bring communities together. We are always proud of the way the communities of Wrotham embrace the Festival of Light and it only seems to grow from strength to strength. It is important that we continue to work across rural and urban Kent promoting and celebrating shared values and I would like to thank all those who took the time to come and support the celebrations.”

  • KECC delighted to support Swale Fusion Festival of Light 2018

    KECC delighted to support Swale Fusion Festival of Light 2018

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Swale Borough Council and Cohesion Plus on the forthcoming Swale Fusion Festival of Light which will be taking place on Friday October 12th.

    The festival celebrates the core values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality and features a lantern parade with local schools taking part, a culturally diverse artistic programme and a firework finale.

    The programme will commence on Sittingbourne High Street at 6pm with performances from Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective, Bloco Fogo Samba and the Stilt Batteristas. The lantern parade will make its way from Sittingbourne High Street through Roman Square before finishing at Albany Park where the festival will climax with a firework display at 7.15pm.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of KECC commented “In this current difficult economic climate especially for voluntary sector organisations like ourselves, I am really pleased that we have been able to work with local partners to put together the Swale Fusion Festival of Light. Events like this are more important than ever and the positive response we have already had from local schools and partners underlines the importance of celebrating our shared values and using opportunities that festival like this afford, to bring communities together.”

  • Women’s Conference a Great Success

    Women’s Conference a Great Success

    The annual Sadi Awaz Suno (Listen to our Voices) Women’s Conference took place on Thursday 20th September at the Woodville in Gravesend. The main ethos of the event was to raise awareness of where people can go if they need help and support and to push back on the traditional norms that exist within some communities from the Indian sub-continent, of staying silent in the face of issues relating to mental health, addiction and domestic abuse.

    The conference was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Rethink Mental Illness Sahayak Services with the support of the Gravesham Borough Council led Altogether Safer Project.

    The audience of around 250 women heard from one of the leading bhangra musicians in the UK Bhupinder Kullar who is better known by his stage name ‘Tubsy’ from the Shanti Project. He spoke at length about his battle with alcoholism and his subsequent journey to recovery. Tubsy urged the audience to encourage the use of support services and to move away from the cultural norms that exist within some communities from the Indian sub-continent, where alcoholism isn’t necessarily understood or addressed.

    Deputy Chief Constable Tony Blaker from Kent Police also spoke, touching on subjects such as the force’s outreach work with residents in reference to domestic abuse, modern day slavery, hate crime and the importance of working in partnership with local communities.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am pleased that so many women from across North Kent attended the event. It is vitally important that members of the local community develop a better understanding of issues that could affect them and their families such as alcohol addiction and mental health. These are issues which are not traditionally discussed amongst communities from the Indian sub-continent. This is way we hold this event as we want to raise awareness of often taboo subjects”.

    According to Carol Gosal Rethink Mental Illness Service Manager for Kent, “We have been organising the Sadi Awaz Suno Conference for 12 years now. This year for the first time we spoke about alcohol addiction and the feedback we have received from those in attendance has been very positive. This is an issue that affects families but is not often discussed openly especially around where they can receive help and support.”