Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Author: susan

  • The Wrotham Festival of Light is back!

    The Wrotham Festival of Light is back!

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council was proud to work in partnership to deliver the Wrotham Festival of Light which took place on Friday 15th October. The event returned after a 2 year absence. The festival brought exciting outdoor culturally diverse art to a rural, community setting, connecting communities both young and old alike.

    n the build-up pupils at Saint George’s Primary School created lanterns around the themes of friendship, local heroes, community and tolerance working with Same Sky.

    The first half of the festival saw attendees come together outside Saint George’s Church to enjoy performances by culturally diverse artists. Then followed the Lantern Parade led by special guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Nadrah Ahmed OBE and Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Sue Bell. The parade went through the village which was decorated by wonderful natured themed light installations. The festivities climaxed at the Cricket Ground where the crowds were dazzled by a spectacular fireworks display by Phoenix Fireworks.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was so great to see so many people out supporting the Wrotham Festival of Light. Before Covid the festival had become really popular and if anything, we had even more people join us today which is a real positive. Events like this bring communities together and promote a sense of community and belonging and I am proud of what we have achieved.”

  • Mela in Mote Park celebrates the diversity of the borough

    Mela in Mote Park celebrates the diversity of the borough

    Mela attendees turned out in large numbers with over 3,000 people attending the much loved Maidstone Community Mela in Mote Park on Sunday September 19th. The free community festival which celebrates music, food and dance from around the world was delivered by Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with the Maidstone Cultural Group, the Maidstone Mela Advisory Group and was produced by KECC’s sister organisation Cohesion Plus who specialize in large scale arts events. The Mela was funded by Arts Council England, Maidstone Borough Council and Unison.

    The stage programme offered an array of diverse talent showcasing various arts forms such as Samba music, Irish dance, Punjabi percussion as well as Grime Rap and Choir singing. Malayalee, Nepalese and other South West Indian cultures were also showcased through music, food and dance.

    Key partners such as Kent Police, Victim Support, Unison, Adult Education Service, Involve Kent and the Maidstone Dawn Patrol Rotary Club were also in attendance engaging with those present and off stage arts workshops were also available to children and young families.

    The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Fay Gooch was in attendance along with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bill Cockcroft DL and Cllr Martin Round Chair of Economic Regeneration & Leisure Committee, they all spoke from the stage about how pleased they were to see the Mela back in Mote Park after a 6 year absence and the importance of having events like this in the borough.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Mela producer commented: “I have proudly been involved with the Mela since its inception back in 2003. The Mela has always been a wonderful way to engage with the culturally diverse communities of Maidstone, providing a valuable platform for diverse art forms and traders. I am even more proud to say that this year we were able to return to the birthplace of the Mela and thanks to the partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, Mote Park once again became the site for the event to take place. It is so gratifying to receive praise for the Mela from members of the community. For many audience members it was their first big outdoor event they had attended since the start of the pandemic which is a great testament to the appeal of the Mela. I would like to give special thanks to our key partners who attended and supported us in the lead up and on the day itself including Kent Police, Unison, Victim Support and Adult Education Service. Community events are that much more valuable and enriching when you have the buy in and support of local authority, statutory, community and charity sector partners. We look forward to next year’s event which we have already begun planning!”

  • The Maidstone Community Mela is around the corner!

    The Maidstone Community Mela is around the corner!

    Preparations are nearly complete for the much loved Maidstone Community Mela which will this year be returning to the site of its birth place Mote Park on Sunday 19th September. The Mela will run between 12pm and 6pm and is organised by a joint community partnership including Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Maidstone Cultural Group as well as being supported by Maidstone Borough Council. Cohesion Plus is also back as the long-standing event producers.

    The Mela will again be celebrating music, food and dance from around the world with an exciting programme of culturally diverse acts performing on stage including Samba band Bloco Fogo, Reel Eire Irish Dance, Square Pegs Choir, Four by Four Kings of Dhol, GTown Talents, the Kerala Culture Association, Maidstone Malayalee and Maidstone Nepalese Community Group.

    They will also be joined by Afro Bhangra Fusion a performance which brings together music and dance from North India and Southern Africa to create a unique show. DJ Amit will also be in attendance playing all the current smash hints and to top it all off, the incomparable Bollywood Brass Band will headline and close the show with the unique signature party sound.

    Off stage there will be a mouthwatering selection of world foods on offer including Indian, Chinese and Caribbean cuisine, as well as traditional burger and chips and Ice Cream. There will also be a prosecco and beer bar on hand for the grownups!

    Gurvinder Sandher the Mela producer commented: “We are so pleased to be bringing the beloved Mela back to Maidstone for its 17th year after missing last year due to the lockdown. To be bringing the Mela back to Mote Park however is the true icing on the cake as the site is where the Mela was born. We are dedicated to putting on another memorable event in a safe and responsible way and hope everyone can make it out to celebrate given the past difficult 18 months we have all been through. The Mela is our longest running event and to me it is about bringing the communities of the borough together, celebrating our shared values and the positive community relations we enjoy. I am excited for everyone to see what we have planned this year and of course we wouldn’t have been able to bring the Mela back to Mote Park without the partnership of Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone Cultural Group and the Maidstone Advisory Group. Special thanks also go to Arts Council England who is our principle funders.”

  • CEO of KECC honoured by Kent Police for years of service

    CEO of KECC honoured by Kent Police for years of service

    After more than a decade as the County Chair of the Kent Police Independent Police Advisory Group the CEO of KECC Gurvinder Sandher has stepped down from his role as of August 2021. In this period, in addition to chairing the County meetings, Gurvinder also chaired a number of strategic meetings including Stop and Search Scrutiny, Use of Force and Covid Fixed Penalty Notice panels, as well as contributing to the Diversity and Inclusion Board and the Prevent Delivery Board. Gurvinder was also involved in some of the key senior recruitment processes including for the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable.

    Gurvinder continues to serve as an Independent Member and Vice Chair of the Police and Crime Panel as well as the current District IPAG Chair for Gravesham and Dartford.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of KECC commented, “Whilst I am incredibly proud of my working partnership with Kent Police, I do believe it is time to step down to allow fresh voices to emerge and make their mark. This is no way means that my professional work with Kent Police or indeed my work in the wider community has ended, rather it is the opposite. The extra time will allow me and my organisation to work even closer with the diverse communities of the county, working alongside Kent Police to promote community cohesion, inclusivity and continue to act as a critical friend. I am eternally grateful to my colleagues at the Force for their support and partnership over the years and I am very proud of what we were able to achieve working together for the greater good of the county we serve.”

  • Crawley Fusion Street Festival a hit!

    Crawley Fusion Street Festival a hit!

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus and Crawley Borough Council delivered the first ever Crawley Fusion Street Festival which took place on Saturday 7th August across Memorial Gardens and Queens Square. The event aimed to generate footfall in public and retail spaces post lockdown and was a resounding success as hundreds of shoppers turned out to watch the festivities.

    The programme boasted a range of culturally diverse artists such as Phase 5 Steel Band, Celebrations Samba, Electric Cabaret Street Mimes and the Dancing Maharajas. Despite the on and off again rain, onlookers interacted with the artists, dancing and taking selfies.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC commented, “The heart of our work is to bring communities together and celebrate what binds us together. The festival was a resounding success in that respect and we felt it absolutely necessary to bring people together in a safe and responsible way to mark our shared collective experience over the past 18 months and enjoy public spaces once again. I am incredibly grateful to Crawley Borough Council for their partnership on this event and look forward to putting on similar events in the near future, where we can all come together and champion unity.”

  • Tunbridge Wells Mela a Success Despite the Poor Weather

    Tunbridge Wells Mela a Success Despite the Poor Weather

    Despite the heavy rain and thunder over 1000 people attended the 15th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival in Calverley Grounds on Sunday 25th July. The Mela was organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Arts Council England and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

    The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Cllr Chris Woodward was also in attendance and thanked everyone for supporting the Mela which was now one of the highlights of the event calendar in Tunbridge Wells.

    Those who braved the poor weather saw a range of Kent based diverse acts on stage. Highlights included the Paul Dunton Orchestra and Sahrudaya West Kent Keralites who wooed everyone with their high energy performances, the ever popular Phase 5 Steel Band and Uzambezi African ensemble.

    Other highlights included G Town Talents who performed grime and rap. The event was climaxed by the Kings of Bhangra Four by Four who had everyone up and dancing in the midst of the rain.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am really proud of what we were able to achieve. The Tunbridge Wells Mela is a shining beacon of how music, food and dance can bring communities together and celebrate shared values. The popularity of the event can be seen by how many people came out in what was the worst weather in which we have delivered an outdoor event. I would like to thank everyone who worked with us to deliver the Mela and everyone who came and attended.”

  • Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival 2021

    Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival 2021

    The 15th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival is set to return to Calverley Grounds on Sunday 25th July between 12.30pm and 6pm. Last taking place in 2019, the event will also see the return of community artists and food traders celebrating music, food and dance from around the world. The Mela is organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Arts Council England and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

    The programme boasts a range of culturally diverse artist with an international flavour such as The West Kent Keralites, Phase 5 Steel Band, Uzambezi and Four by Four Kings of Bhangra. The event will also see the return of the hugely popular Paul Dunton Orchestra and the first time appearance of headliners Midnight Soul Sisters who will be performing you all the Motown classics.

    Off stage activity will include Show Globes ‘Enchanted Flower Garden’, a mobile and interactive life size snow globe complete with a mythical nymph that you can take pictures with. There will also be a mouth-watering selection of food vendors on site with a selection of British and World themed dishes.

    Although lockdown restrictions will have been lifted by the 25th everyone attending will be asked to check in to the Track and Trace system, there will also be extra distance placed between food stands to avoid queues and overcrowding, and there will be hand sanitisers in place across the grounds.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “The last 18 months have been difficult ones for us all. The whole ethos of the Mela Festival is to celebrate the local community and what binds us together, the importance of which has been underlined during the pandemic. I hope that the local community will support the event like they have in the past, a lot of hard work has gone into pulling this event together and we have designed the layout to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe day.”

  • Windrush Community Celebrations

    Windrush Community Celebrations

    A socially distanced, community led Windrush Celebration took place in Gravesend on Wednesday 23rd June. The event was a community initiative arranged by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, the North Kent Caribbean Network and the Cohesion Plus.

    The celebrations took place at the Old Gravesendians and was attended by elders from the Windrush generation as well as civic guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhagwara Vasudaven, Kent County Council Chair Cllr Ann Allen as well as the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Lyn Milner.

    Windrush elders heard speeches by Gurvinder Sandher of Cohesion Plus and Michelle Bramble, Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network as well as the civic guests in attendance who all congratulated the Windrush generation and following generations on the countless positive contributions they have made to the UK.

    Gurvinder Sandher, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented, “We were incredibly proud to have delivered our first in person community celebrations this year. Given the year we have all had, and that the country will look to be fully vaccinated soon, we felt it was necessary to return to some semblance of normality and host an event in person. The fact that we were able to begin with Windrush Celebrations felt poignant as it’s a chance to celebrate diversity and community cohesion as well champion key members of the community. Sadly, over time we seem to have forgotten that the Windrush generation were actually invited to the UK to help rebuild the ‘motherland’ so it’s imperative that we remember the countless sacrifices and hardships they have had to endure over many years and celebrate their positive contributions.”

  • Community Groups rally together to commemorate PCSO Julia James

    Community Groups rally together to commemorate PCSO Julia James

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council along with faith and community partners held a community vigil outside the Kent Police Headquarters on Monday 17th May to honour PCSO Julia James who was tragically murdered in April near her home.

    Those in attendance included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven, representatives from the three Gurdwaras (Sikh Temple) across Gravesham and Dartford, local Mosque and Mandir as well as representatives from various community organisations such as the North Kent Caribbean Network, Rethink Sahayak and GTown Talents.

    A floral tribute was presented to Detective Sergeant Helen Bland, the Family Liaison Co-Ordinator to pass onto the James family. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley QPM was on hand to accept the condolences from the local community and spoke about what it meant to the Force to have members of the community mark their respect in such a way.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of KECC commented, “Kent Police have always been a constant ally to the diverse communities in the area, throughout times of celebration as well as difficult and trying times. As such it was important to me that similarly, we as community partners were able to make a gesture of solidarity and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kent Police colleagues during what is truly a tragic time.”

    Chief Constable Alan Pughsley QPM commented, “The murder of Julia James shocked and appalled us all. I was touched that communities across North Kent took the time to offer their condolences and I know it means a huge amount to Julia’s family and friends. The Kent Equality Cohesion Council have been friends of Kent Police for many years, helping us to be become the outstanding force we are and I am incredibly grateful for the support they have given during this difficult period.”

  • Communities of Kent lead charge to fundraise for India amidst Covid 19 catastrophe

    Communities of Kent lead charge to fundraise for India amidst Covid 19 catastrophe

    With the pandemic raging through India at a catastrophic rate, and the death toll reaching record breaking numbers, Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC) and Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara working with local faith groups, sports organisations and local businesses from across Gravesham and Dartford raised £34,000 through an appeal.

    The funds were used to purchase 150 oxygen concentrators and oxy-meters which will be sent to India through humanitarian charity Khalsa Aid based in Slough who work in disaster zones around the world. The charity has a plane charted to ship the equipment out to India on Wednesday 19th May.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC commented, “I cannot be more proud of the communities of North Kent who all came together regardless of ethnicity and faith to fundraise in order to help another country in its time of need. When we initially made the invite calls to the various groups to donate, we were unsure of the kind of response we would receive. However, we were met with nothing but enthusiasm and a genuine need to help. The fact that the local Churches, Mosques, Gurdwaras, sports teams and small businesses came together in solidarity has only reinforced my faith in the communities of North Kent and truly add credence to our motto that we are always stronger together.”

    Manpreet Dhaliwal President of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara commented “During the pandemic the Sikh community have worked hard to support those in need arranging meals for thousands in the local community. I was therefore humbled by the response we had to this appeal at a time when oxygen concentrator numbers are fast dwindling from the markets. This initiative was all out effort to procure enough supplies which we eventually secured from a factory in Poland. The scenes in India have touched us all, and I hope in this small way we are able to support those in need at this most challenging of times.”

    Note:

    Khalsa Aid is an international NGO that provides humanitarian aid to areas hit by conflict and disasters all around the world. https://www.khalsaaid.org/