Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with the Kent Integrated Youth Service organised a successful One Game, One Community Football Festival which took place at the Northfleet Youth Centre on Tuesday November 20.
Over 100 attended the event which included a football tournament which was run by the Charlton Athletic Positive Futures Team, this was followed by a series of educational talks from partners including the Mayor of Gravesham Lyn Milner, Cllr Tanmanjeet Dhesi, Troy Townsend from the campaign Kick it Out and Chief Inspector Philip Painter from Kent Police who all spoke about how football can be used to bring communities together. Other guests included former Professional Footballer and FA Cup Winner in 1973 David Young who is a resident of Gravesham, who brought along his winners medal to show the young people.
Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was pleasing to see so many young people from diverse communities coming together through football, playing the game and learning side by side about social issues. KECC is committed to working for positive change and to challenge discrimination. Events like this underline how football can promote community cohesion and can be a lever to educate young people.”
Troy Townsend the Mentoring and Leadership Manager from Kick it Out said “In recent months the issue of racism in football has again raised its ugly head. Kick it Out works throughout the football to challenge discrimination from grassroots levels up to the Premier League. Events like this help showcase how football can be used as a means of bringing about positive social change through working with young people. I was very impressed not only with the football but also the multi-agency support for the event.
The theme of the event will be to celebrate our Great British Year which has included the Diamond Jubilee, Olympics, and the Paralympics and the British values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality. This year in addition to the parade and concert there will a spectacular light show at the Sky Dome in Central Park.
The Gravesham Mayor’s Curry Night which the KECC played a key role in organising which took place on Friday November 9 at the Woodville Halls proved to be a great success with over £1600 pledged to the Mayor’s Charity Fund on the night through an auction, raffle ticket sales and donations. The Mayors two principle charities are the Ellenor Lions Hospice in Northfleet and the Altzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services in Gravesham.
Preparations are underway for the fourth Dartford Festival of Light which will take place on Friday October 19. The first part of the event will feature a schools parade through Dartford Town Centre between 7pm and 7.45pm. The parade will involve 11 schools from Dartford who will be working with renowned arts company Samesky in the build up to the event. In total over 500 young pupils will benefit from arts workshops. The children will make lanterns and torches which they will carry in the parade. The second part will feature a free concert by leading tribute act Jessie Jay and DJ Stan Lee King at the Bandstand in Central Park between 8pm and 8.45pm.
Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus haveorganised a free community celebration to mark the climax of the Paralympic Games and the Great British Summer which has also seen the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympic Games. This will be taking place on Friday September 7 on the Riverside Leisure Area.
The Gravesend Community Mela Festival which had to be cancelled due to rain will now take place on Saturday August 18 at the Bandstand in the Fort Gardens, Promenade between 2pm and 5.30pm.
The Mela will be headlined by the Crown Prince of Bhangra Jazzy B with perfomrances also on the day by Benny Dhaliwal, Raju Dinehwala, Jai, Shin Cobra, Four by Four Bhangra and the Iconic Roadshow.
Gurvinder Sandher who has organised the event commented “We have worked very hard to rearrange the Mela. I am especially grateful to all the artists especially Jazzy B and his management for their understanding following the last minute cancellation of the event in July due to the poor weather, our community partners and our funders Arts Council England. I am hoping that we will have a great day and that the local community will come and support this free community event. There will be a number of emerging artists performing and is an excellent showcase for the new talent which is coming through on the Bhangra / Urban music scene.” 
