Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Author: susan

  • Gravesham Fusion Festival Brings Communities Together

    Gravesham Fusion Festival Brings Communities Together

    Sun, Jazz, Calypso, Bhangra, Bollywood, Irish Dance, Eastern European Folk and street art were on the menu at the Fusion Festival which took place across Gravesend Town Centre on Saturday June 17, proving to be popular with shoppers. They were able to witness a range of performances at key locations in the Town Centre including the Market, Clock Tower, High Street, Windmill Street, New Road and King Street. The aim of the festival was to bring together the communities of the borough through music, dance and visual arts and celebrate all that binds us together.

    The weekend of the festival also marked the first anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP and this was marked up and down the Country with a series of events under the umbrella of “The Great Get Together”. As part of the Festival a special event took place in the Gravesend Market which was attended by the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Harold Craske along with members of the local community who brought along different food to share.

    The festival was organised by Cohesion Plus working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Gravesham Borough Council and Arts Council England.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I was very pleased with the response that we have had to the Fusion Festival. The last few weeks have been challenging ones for our Country with the recent terror attacks; the whole aim of this event was to bring communities together and to celebrate our shared values and the positive community relations we enjoy in Gravesham. It is important that we stand together as a community, shoulder to shoulder, not allowing others to try and come and divide us. I believe our festival which included the Great Get Together made a positive contribution in this regard.”

  • Gravesham Fusion Festival 17th June

    Gravesham Fusion Festival 17th June

    Preparations are underway for the Fusion Festival which will be taking place in Gravesend Town Centre on Saturday June 17 between 10.30am and 2.30pm. The festivities have been organised by Cohesion Plus working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Gravesham Borough Council and Arts Council England. The aim of the festival is to bring together the communities of the borough through music, dance and visual arts and celebrate all that binds us together.

    The weekend of the festival also marks the first anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP and this is being marked up and down the Country with a series of events under the umbrella of “The Great Get Together”. This will be taking place in the Gravesend Market as part of the Fusion Festival between 12pm and 2pm where members of the local community will be encouraged to try different foods meet new people and celebrate the Gravesham community.

    The street festival will see a range of performances taking place around the Town Centre, including on the High Street, King Street, New Road, the iconic Clock Tower as well as in Gravesend Borough Market and Windmill Street. Artists taking part include the Bollywood Brass Band, Jazz Swingtett, Phase 5 Steel Band, Reel Eire Dance and Gravesend’s very own Four by Four Bhangra Group. In addition there will be stilt walkers, mime artists and free arts workshops for children.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented “Events like the Fusion Festival are more important than ever, they provide opportunities for communities to come together and celebrate our shared values and what makes us the community we are in Gravesham. This year for the first time we are doing the event purely as a street festival with performances taking place all over the town centre. This is a new departure for us as I was keen to organise an event where we were taking different art forms directly to the communities who often have low levels of engagement with the arts. We have an exciting line up and hope that the people of Gravesham will come out and support us and our work.”

  • Inter Faith Meeting to condemn Manchester attacks

    Inter Faith Meeting to condemn Manchester attacks

    Faith and community organisations came together today to condemn the recent Manchester attacks and spread a message of unity and solidarity. The event, hosted at the Gravesend & Dartford Muslim Association Mosque & Cultural Centre in Gravesham, was the first opportunity for local faith and community groups to come together to strongly condemn the attack.

    Speakers at the event included Ejaz Aslam, Chairman of the Gravesend & Dartford Muslim Association, Reverend Richard Martin, Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Harold Craske, Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Tarsem Singh Mahil General Secretary of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.

    Gurvinder Sandher said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of all those affected by the attack in Manchester. It is clear that terrorists are looking to cause division and tension within communities. This is why I felt it was important that here in Gravesham, a place where we have always prided ourselves on our positive community relations, we took a stand not only to condemn the recent attack in Manchester in the most strongest terms but also an opportunity to show those that seek to divide us that, regardless of faith or background we stand together as one.”

    According to Chairman Ejaz Aslam, “I am very upset by the recent atrocity that took place in Manchester. It was heartbreaking to hear of the loss of innocent young lives, that could have been my daughter or wife. These terrorists do not discriminate in who they target or kill. They want to cause discord and do not represent in any way Islam, my faith or the teachings of the Quran. I am grateful to all those who attended today and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community to condemn this attack and we look forward to continuing this valuable inter faith dialogue for the benefit of all communities.”

    Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Harold Craske said: “The event at the Mosque today was very moving. Listening to the speakers from some of the different faiths that we have here in Gravesham was both reassuring and positive. The attacks in Manchester and other recent terror incidents around the world are heart breaking and today was a shining example of how a community should stand together as brothers and sisters against terrorism. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has lost a loved one or has been affected by these unnecessary attacks.”

  • Dartford Saint George Day 2017

    Dartford Saint George Day 2017

    The annual Saint George’s Day Parade and celebrations took place in Dartford on Friday April 21. 500 Children from 10 local schools took part in the event which was organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Dartford Borough Council in what were some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England. The aim of the event was to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in Dartford to celebrate this important day.

    Before the procession started there was entertainment on the High Street with performances by the West Hill Morris, Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Arts and the Bollywood Brass Band which attracted a large crowd.

    The Schools gathered outside the Civic Centre where the parade led by Saint George himself started. Along with the schools the parade also featured special guests the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Burrell and Gareth Johnson MP as well as performances by the Brass Bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Stilt Walkers and comedy medieval jesters and Shakespearian actors.

    The parade climaxed in Central Park by the Band Stand where the 500 school children sang Happy 91st Birthday to HM The Queen before watching a short programme of entertainment which climaxed with the Premier Brass Band playing Land of Hope of Glory and the National Anthem.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who led on the organisation of the celebrations commented “I am proud of what we were able to achieve working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council. We use the celebrations as a source of promoting unity and cohesion rather than discord and segregation and believe this work is a beacon that other parts of the Country could learn from.”

  • Gravesham Saint George Day 2017

    Gravesham Saint George Day 2017

    The annual Saint George’s Day Parade and celebrations took place in Gravesham on Friday April 21. 600 Children from 11 local schools took part in the event which was organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Gravesham Borough Council in what were some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England. The aim of the event was to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in Gravesham to celebrate this important day.

    Before the procession started there was entertainment in the town centre with performances by the Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Arts and the Bollywood Brass Band which warmed up the gathering crowd. The parade led by Saint George himself played by Gravesham resident Russel Palmer started outside Saint George’s Church. Along with the schools the Parade also featured special guests the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Dr. Bhargwara Vasudaven and the Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr Goatley as well as performances by the Brass Bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Stilt Walkers and comedy medieval jesters and Shakespearian actors.

    The Parade went up the High Street into King Street, through Saint George’s Shopping Centre and then headed back through town before finishing on Community Square. Throughout the parade members of the public waved their flags of Saint George and encouraged the children as the parade went by.

    Once the parade climaxed on Community Square the 600 school children sang Happy Birthday to HM The Queen before listening to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant who is the Queen’s representative in Kent thank everyone for their participation. Following some further entertainment the flags of Saint George were raised over Community Square.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who led on the organisation of the celebrations commented “I really do believe that other parts of the Country could learn from what we are doing here and how we use Saint George’s Day to bring diverse communities together, to celebrate our shared values. We use the celebrations as a source of promoting unity and cohesion rather than discord and segregation. I am grateful to all the young people who worked so hard in the build-up and our partners including Gravesham Borough Council and Arts Council England for their on-going support.”

  • Gravesham Vaisakhi Celebrations

    Gravesham Vaisakhi Celebrations

    Thousands took part in the annual Sikh festival of Vaisakhi in Gravesham over the Easter weekend with people coming from all over Kent to participate. Vaisakhi commemorates the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s formation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 (the community of committed Sikhs) which created the faith as it is practised today.

    The celebrations were launched on Thursday with a special service on the Community Square where the Sikh flag was raised by the President of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Davinder Singh Bains. This was followed by a programme of hymns, Gatka (Sikh Martial Arts) and Bhangra Dancing before donations of food and drink were given out to passers-by and members of the local congregation.

    The centrepiece of the celebrations took place on Easter Saturday with the Nagar Kirtan procession (nagger means town and kirtan means the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book) taking place. The procession started on the grounds of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara where those in attendance heard at the start from special guests including the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Goatley, Adam Holloway MP, Police and Crime Commissioner Mathew Scott and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven. Then led by the Panj Piare (five beloved of the Guru) the procession went through the Town Centre where it was well received by members of the public who stopped to see the colourful spectacle and enjoyed free donations (seva) of food and drink as the procession passed. Following a short stop for prayers at the Guru Ravidass Gurdwara in Brandon Street the procession headed back to the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara. In addition to the thousands who walked in the Nagar Kirtan there were a number of community floats and groups taking part including Lethal Soundz, Guru Nanak Punjabi School, Kent Kirtan Society, Punjab United Football Club, Four by Four Bhangra, Jugnu Bhangra, Guru Nanak Sports Club and Guru Nanak Football Club.

    Once the prayers had been said thousands joined in on the celebrations on the sports field where there was information stands from partners including Kent Police, Rethink Mental Illness, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and local community projects, a fun fair, Sikh martial arts and dozens of stalls giving out free food and drink to those in attendance. Award winning International Bhangra and Folk Star Sukshinder Shinda performed a special set of religious songs to bring the day to an exciting climax.

    The celebrations concluded on the Sunday at the Gurdwara where prayers were read and donations made for the up keep of the running of the Gurdwara. The special guest of honour was the High Commissioner of India His Excellency Y.K. Sinha.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who has been working with the Guru Nanak Darbar Management Committee to organise the festivities said “Vaisakhi is a great example of how volunteers from across the community can come together to organise a community celebration which is enjoyed by thousands. I am very grateful to all the volunteers who have given up their time freely over the past few months to work with me on pulling the Vaisakhi celebrations together. I am also grateful to key partners such as Gravesham Borough Council and Kent Police for their advice and support in the build-up, event like Vaisakhi can only take place by working in partnership.”

  • Gravesham Vaisakhi Celebrations 2017

    Gravesham Vaisakhi Celebrations 2017

    KECC have been working over the past few months with Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara on the organisation of the annual Vaisakhi celebrations in Gravesham. Historically Vaisakhi marked the spring harvest for farmers and communities in Punjab Northern India where most of the Sikh’s in Gravesham originate from. Furthermore in 1699 on Vaisakhi Day the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth (the community of committed Sikhs) and created the faith as it is practised today.

    This year’s festivities will officially kick off with ‘Vaisakhi on the Square’ taking place on Thursday April 13 on the Community Square between 11am to 1pm. The celebration will begin with the raising of the Sikh flag followed by prayers and a short program of entertainment.

    Festivities will continue on Easter Saturday with celebrations taking place both through the Town Centre and also on the Guru Nanak Sports Field on Trinity Road.  The centre piece of the celebrations will be the Nagar Kirtan procession (nagar means town and kirtan means the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book) which is due to start from the Gurdwara at 12pm passing through the town centre – along Saddington Street, The Grove, Milton Road, King Street, Garrick Street, Darnley Road, Arthur Street, Wrotham Road, Zion Place, Windmill Street, Clarence Place, Parrock Road and Wellington Street. The procession is expected to return at about 2.30pm.

    Once the Nagar Kirtan finishes there will be an open air community celebration on the Guru Nanak Sports Field which will include a funfair, Sikh martial arts, interactive activities for children, information stands, food stalls and a stage programme where religious songs will be performed by internationally renowned artist Sukshinder Shinda.

    The main religious service in the Gurdwara to celebrate Vaisakhi will be held on Sunday morning.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who has been working with the Guru Nanak Darbar Management Committee to organise the festivities said “The Vaisakhi celebrations in Gravesham are some of the biggest in the Country and it is a great testament for all concerned that they have evolved from just being a Sikh celebration to one involving all communities regardless of faith.  With recent atrocities still fresh in our minds Vaisakhi is a wonderful example of how faith can bring diverse communities together to celebrate as one all that binds us together as a community in Gravesham”

  • Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Preparations are underway for the Saint George’s Day celebrations which will be taking place in Gravesham and Dartford on April 21. The festivities have been organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus supported by Gravesham Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England in what will be some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We are really pleased to be again in a position to organise the Saint Georges Day celebrations in Gravesham and Dartford. I believe passionately that events like Saint Georges Day are a great way of bringing diverse communities together and celebrating our core values which makes England the country it is. As ever, I am very grateful to all our partners for their ongoing support and their belief in our work.”

    In the build up to the day 21 local schools and some 1200 young people will benefit from creative arts workshops as they prepare for the parades which will be the highlight of the celebrations in the boroughs.

    The celebrations in Gravesham will take place between 10am and 11.30am and in Dartford between 12.45pm and 2.30pm. Entertainment will include music from Premier Brass Band, Bollywood Brass Band, performances by Stilt Walkers, Morris Dancers, Shakespeare as well as a Saint George in full armour.

    The aim of the events is to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in Gravesham and Dartford through the arts to celebrate this important day.

    2017 A4 Poster GRAVESHAM
    2017 A4 Poster DARTFORD
  • Street Cricket Project Launched

    Street Cricket Project Launched

    Kent Cricket Community Team in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Kent County Council Youth Service and Kent Police have launched a free Street Cricket Project which will take place every Wednesday at the Northfleet Youth Centre on Hall Road which between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

    The official launch took place on January 25th 2017 with some 25 young people attending along with a number of guests including the Deputy Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Harold Craske, representatives from Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Gravesham Borough Council and Safer Kent along with community groups

    The project will help to promote a healthy active lifestyle, along with educational workshops relating to the issues affecting young people while at the same time giving them access to play cricket.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “We strongly believe that sport is an excellent way of bringing young people together, breaking down barriers and promoting cohesion. We’re really excited to be working with the Kent Cricket Community Team and hope that over the coming weeks the young people will not only get an opportunity to play cricket in a relaxed environment but also benefit from talks from our partners around various topics including healthy lifestyles.”

  • Christmas Celebrations Prove Popular in Gravesham

    Christmas Celebrations Prove Popular in Gravesham

    After months of hard work thousands of people filled Gravesend Town Centre to enjoy a Christmas inspired celebration.

    Cohesion Plus working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council supported by Arts Council England organised the Gravesham Festival of Christmas Light element of the Gravesham Christmas Lights Switch on. This featured 12 local schools and a parade of over 1200 people from across the borough. They were accompanied by Christmas Mime Elves, Santa and his helpers on stilts, Bloco Fogo Samba, Crocodile Brass Band, the Black Knights and the Four by Four Dhol Drummers.

    In the build up to the event some 550 young people from across the borough benefited from free creative arts workshops working with Same Sky Arts on the Christmas Lanterns. The schools who took part in the celebrations were Ifield, Kings Farm, St Botolph’s, St Johns Primary, St George’s, Northfleet Girls, Holy Trinity, Cecil Road, Riverview Infants, Riverview Juniors, Northfleet Technology College and Painters Ash

    The parade led by the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Greta Goatley started off from the St George’s Shopping Centre and went through New Road, up Windmill Street and culminated on Community Square where the Christmas Tree was switched on following performances by the Gravesham Pantomime Cast of Jack and the Beanstalk.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council said “I am really pleased with how the celebrations went. The event was a great spectacle and an example of how the arts can be used to promote cohesion and bringing diverse communities together. I strongly believe that Christmas should be celebrated widely and should be used like we have done with this event as a way of celebrating our positive community relations.”