Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Author: susan

  • Record Numbers Attend Launch of Gravesham Christmas Celebrations

    Record Numbers Attend Launch of Gravesham Christmas Celebrations

    It is estimated that over 5000 people enjoyed the Christmas Parade of Lights which was organised by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council and the Christmas Light Switch On which was led by Gravesham Borough Council.

    The Christmas Parade of Lights featured 14 local schools and some 600 children from across the Borough who benefited from workshops in the build up to the event which were delivered by Same Sky Arts along with a number of culturally diverse artists including the Premier Brass Band, Crocodile Style Brass Band, Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Bloco Fogo Samba. They were joined in the parade by parents and guardians of the young people taking part. 

    The Christmas Parade of Lights which was led by the Mayor of Gravesham Councillor John Caller and invited guests set off from Saint George’s Shopping Centre before going onto New Road, Windmill Street then climaxed on the Community Square with the spectacular Christmas lights being switched on along the route. 

    One of the highlights of the parade was the performance of the “Dancing Santa’s” who performed a special bhangra dance routine to Jingle Bells which had been produced jointly by Cohesion Plus and Four by Four Bhangra Dancers at the junction of New Road and Windmill Street. The Parade finished on the Community Square where there was entertainment by the cast of the Pantomime before the giant Christmas Tree was lit up by the Mayor of Gravesham and Jamie Foreman one of the stars of Aladdin.

    Gurvinder Sandher who organised the Parade commented “The response that we had to the Parade was beyond what I expected. We are very lucky that the local schools are so committed to getting involved in local community events and our strong partnership with Gravesham Borough Council allows us to produce celebrations like this which bring all the communities together as one to celebrate not only the start of the Christmas festivities but also the values of friendship, respect and tolerance which unite us as citizens of the borough. I believe that what we have delivered here with this event is unique and is a model which could be replicated by other towns across the Country” 

  • Dartford lit up by Community Festival

    Dartford lit up by Community Festival

    Dartford Community Lights Spectacle

    Dartford Town Centre was spectacle of noise and colour as over 700 people took part in the Dartford Festival of Light on Friday October 24. The Festival was organised by local arts group Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England.

    The first part of the evening was the lantern parade which featured 10 local schools as well as a number of culturally diverse artists including Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Crocodile Style Brass which started at One Bell Corner before heading towards the Orchard Theatre where the parade was joined by Bloco Fogo Samba Group who had been entertaining commuters outside Dartford Train Station. The parade then went through the Orchard Shopping Centre and Market Street to Central Park which was specially lit up by lanterns by leading creative arts organisation Same Sky where it climaxed by the Band Stand. 

    Once the parade got to the Band Stand there was a programme of entertainment which included Steel Ambition and vocalist Ryan Bennett. All the schools that took part were also presented with a special award for their participation by the Deputy Mayor of Dartford Cllr Ian Armitt and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite. 

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who organised the event “I would like to thank everyone who came along and supported our Festival. This was such a wonderful showcase for Dartford and highlighted not only the positive community relations enjoyed in the borough but also some of the fantastic talent and hard work of the young people who were involved in the parade. This was our most ambitious festival to date in terms of lighting and the route and I look forward to working with our partners Dartford Borough Council on making next year’s one even bigger and better.” 

  • Fusion and Light Festival Enjoyed in Wrotham 2014

    Fusion and Light Festival Enjoyed in Wrotham 2014

    The Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light which took place on October 17 proved to be a great success attracting record numbers. Organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cohesion Plus and the Four Schools in the Pilgrims Way Partnership; Saint George’s Primary School, Platt Primary School, Trottiscliffe CE Primary School and Stansted CE Primary School the festival took part in 2 distinct phases. The lantern parade element through the village launched the celebrations. The parade was led by the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Sasha Luck and the Vice Chairman of Kent County Council Cllr Mike Harrison along with invited guests. They were followed by the schools who had been working hard with arts organisation Same Sky on the lanterns which were based on the theme of harvest. The parade also featured stilt walkers, Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Under1Sun Samba Group.

    Once the Parade reached its conclusion at Wrotham Cricket Ground there was a fusion Stage Show featuring performances by leading culturally diverse artists and emerging local artists including comedy duo Danny and Dan, Four by Four Bhangra Dancers, Reel Eire Irish Dancers and vocalist Ryan Bennett. The event climaxed with a short fireworks display organised by Phoenix.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “We were very pleased with the how the Festival of Fusion and Light was received in Wrotham. The event has made great strides from last year and this was testament to the hard work put in by all the different partners. We hope next year to build upon this success and continue our partnership working in Tonbridge and Malling.” 

  • Dartford Festival of Light 2014

    Dartford Festival of Light 2014

    Preparations are underway for the sixth Dartford Festival of Light which will take place on Friday October 24. The event this year proves to be the biggest to date with a longer route and some exciting entertainment at the end for the local community to enjoy.

    The Festival of Light has been organised by local arts group Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England. 

    The first part of the event is a schools parade through Dartford Town Centre between 6.30pm and 7pm. The parade featuring 10 local schools and some 500 children who will all have made lanterns especially for the event will start on One Bell Corner on the High Street. It will then go via Hythe Street, the Orchard Shopping Centre and Market Street to Central Park where it will climax by the Band Stand. In addition to the children the parade will feature Crocodile Brass, Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Bloco Fogo Samba. The parade will be led by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Avtar Sandhu MBE and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite. 

    Once everyone is at the Band Stand there is a free programme of entertainment between 7pm and 8.30pm which will feature Steel Ambition, vocalist Ryan Bennett, Bloco Fogo Samba, Crocodile Brass and Four by Four Dhol Drummers. 

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who is co-ordinating the event “I hope that the local community will come out and support the Dartford Festival of Light. The whole purpose of the event is to bring the whole community together and celebrate important values such as friendship, respect, determination and excellence and to showcase the positive community relations enjoyed in the borough. I very much appreciate all the support that Dartford Borough Council has provided in the build up to the Festival.” 

    Poster_Front2014
    Poster_Back2014
  • Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light (2014)

    Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light (2014)

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with Cohesion Plus and the Four Schools in the Pilgrims Way Partnership; Saint George’s Primary School, Platt Primary School, Trottiscliffe CE Primary School and Stansted CE Primary School have organised the Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light which takes place on October 17th in the village of Wrotham.

    The Festival will take place in 2 distinct phases. In the first part between 6.15pm and 6.45pm there will be a lantern parade through the village involving around 250 young people which will be led by the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr. Sasha Luck and the Chairman of Kent County Council Cllr Peter Homewood. The lanterns will be created by the young people in special workshops in schools which are being delivered by the leading arts company Same Sky. The parade will also feature stilt walkers, Four by Four Dhol Drummers and Under1Sun Samba Group. 

    Once the Parade reaches its conclusion at Wrotham Cricket Ground there will be a fusion Stage Show between 7pm and 8.30pm featuring performances by leading culturally diverse artists and emerging local artists including comedy duo Danny and Dan, Four by Four Bhangra Dancers, Reel Eire Irish Dancers and vocalist Ryan Bennett. In addition there will be locally produced refreshments available.  

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “We are looking forward to this community celebration in Wrotham. A lot of hard work has gone into this and we are grateful to all our partners for their help and support. We believe that events like this are an excellent way for communities to come together and to celebrate all that unites out regardless of age, faith, ethnicity or social background.”  

    Click on poster for larger view

    Poster 2014

  • Maidstone Mela Gallery 2014

    Maidstone Mela Gallery 2014

    Mela Suday Photographs.

    Carnival Parade.

  • Maidstone Mela 2014 Video

    Maidstone Mela 2014 Video

    See some wonderful footage of the 12th Maidstone Mela which captured the colour, fun and artistic quality.  The Mela was organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Maidstone Borough Council, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Maidstone Mela Advisory Group with the support of Arts Council England.

    The Film of Maidstone Mela 2014 can be viewed below.

  • Community Come Out to Support Tunbridge Wells Mela 2014

    Community Come Out to Support Tunbridge Wells Mela 2014

    Music, food and dance from around the World were on show at the 9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which took place at Calverley Grounds on Sunday July 13. The event which in the last 2 years has fought to survive due to the withdrawal of all funding and support by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council attracted thousands. A collection on the day raised £657.00 which will go towards the cost of this year’s event which was organised by arts organisation Cohesion Plus, Sue Latham Events and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

    The focus of this years was promoting culturally diverse artists from around Kent and those in attendance were able to enjoy performances by local Samba group Bloco Fogo who opened the Mela, followed by Phase 5 Steel Band who brought the sounds of the Caribbean to Calverley Grounds. Other performers included the Cullen Academy of Irish Dance, local Tunbridge Wells resident Jack Curtis, emerging young singers Gemma Moore and Ryan Bennett whose band had everyone up and dancing. A particular highlight was the Cohesion Plus produced Afro-Bhangra Fusion performance which featured Four by Four Bhangra and Uzambezi Arts. 

    Away from the stage there were plenty of stalls to keep everyone occupied and an arts zone where children were able to enjoy free creative arts workshops. 

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We have been overwhelmed with the support that we have received for the Mela Festival both on the day and on social media. There is a great demand for this and I just hope there is a way of making it happen next year so we can achieve our 10th anniversary. A lot of this will depend on the good will of funders but the passion I saw for the Mela at Calverley Gardens I hope will result in more support next year so that we can make it happen. It will be a shame if it was to disappear as I believe it is unique in attracting the diverse communities of the borough to come together as one and celebrate the cohesion of Tunbridge Wells.”

    Sue Latham from Sue Latham Events commented “We were very pleased with how the Mela has gone and I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped us on the day to prepare the site and clean it afterwards. I am not sure if people appreciate how many resources are required to make the Mela happen but all the hard work was worth it to hear the positive feedback from people as they were leaving and during the event itself. I just hope that we will able to save the Mela so it can happen again next year, if not at least we went out on a high.” 

  • 9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival and Possibly the Last

    9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival and Possibly the Last

    The 9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which celebrates the diversity of the borough through music, food and dance will be taking place this Sunday July 13 at the Calverley Grounds between 12.30pm and 6pm. The Mela has been organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus Kent, Sue Latham Events and the KECC (Kent Equality Cohesion Council).

    The Mela is part funded by Arts Council England with the balance of the funds being raised through stalls, sponsorship, and donations, with KECC covering any shortfall as again there is no funding support from local authority partners.

    A range of culturally diverse artists will be performing including leading Samba group Bloco Fogo, Four by Four Bhangra, African Folk Group Uzambezi, Lady Motown, emerging young singers Ryan Bennett and Gemma Moore, Cullen Academy of Irish Dance, local reggae star Jack Curtis and Phase 5 Steel Band.

    Alongside the exciting stage programme there is also going to be a creative arts zone where Same Sky arts will be delivering arts workshops and there will be an opportunity to decorate the “Mela Festival Gate” which symbolises the fact that the Mela is open to everyone and welcomes all communities young and old.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We hope that the local community will come and enjoy what may be our last ever Mela in Tunbridge Wells. We have worked very hard again to make it happen and have a very exciting stage programme as well as planned activities in the arts zone and food from around the world, the lack of any local authority funding however is making it very difficult to see the Mela surviving as we cannot afford to keep underwriting any shortfalls. I must give credit however to small local business and local community partners who have stepped up and have supported us again this year. It is a big shame as I believe the Mela is a unique event in Tunbridge Wells.” 

    There is a still a funding short fall for the Mela, so if anyone would like to help please Text KECC11 followed by how much you wish to donate between £1 and £10 to 70070 

    To view larger click on picture.

    Tunbridge Wells Mela 2014-1   Tunbridge Wells Mela 2014-2

    Mela Banner 2014
  • Fusion Festival Proves Popular (2014)

    Fusion Festival Proves Popular (2014)

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus with the support of Gravesham Borough Council and KCC Arts Development Unit delivered the highly successful Fusion Festival which took place on Saturday June 28 at the Gravesend Promenade. The aim of the free festival was to showcase new and emerging culturally diverse artists from Kent and to celebrate music and dance from around the world.

    The stage programme featured a number of Gravesham based acts including singers Ryan Bennett and Gemma Moore, as well as the ever popular Four by Four Bhangra who performed an exciting new set alongside leading African Arts Company Uzambezi which received a very positive response from the audience. Other performers included the Phase 5 Steel Band, the Cullen Academy of Irish Dance, Ying Tang Chinese Association and Piwnica pod Aniolami a popular Polish cabaret act. 

    In addition to the stage performers there were also arts workshops being ran by Same Sky Arts which proved popular with young people, the launch of the Mela Festival Gate which is touring the County appearing at all the different events being organised by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council this summer as well the 168th Town Regatta and heats for England’s Most Powerful Man. 

    There was also the soft launch of the Six Ways to Well Being Project which is being delivered in partnership by LV21, The Grand Project, KECC and Cohesion Plus and which has been commissioned by Kent County Council. Arts activities and workshops took place at the River Front to encourage people to learn more about the Six Ways to Well Being. 

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who organised the Fusion Festival commented “I am very pleased with how the Fusion Festival went and have received lots of positive feedback both on the day and on social media afterwards. It was so positive to see the communities come together and enjoy the different acts. I was especially pleased with the Afro-Bhangra Fusion Piece which we co-produced as this underlined what the Festival was about, using the arts to bring diverse communities together both in the audience and on the stage. With all the other activities taking place at the same time such as the Town Regatta and the Summer Queen it was a great day out for the local community.”