Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Category: News

  • Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light 2016

    Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light 2016

    Colourful lights, a lantern parade, music and fireworks will come to the rural village of Wrotham which plays host to the 4th Wrotham Festival of Fusion and Light on Friday October 14.

    Organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Saint Georges Primary School and the schools in the Pilgrims Way Partnership, the Festival takes place in 3 distinct parts.

    During the first phase there will be a fusion performance by Phase 5 Steel Band outside St. Georges Church as the children prepare for the lantern parade.

    The second phase begins with the lantern parade between 6.15pm and 7pm involving some 500 people as well as entertainment by the Bloco Fogo Samba Group, Four by Four Bhangra and Uzambezi African Arts.

    The festival will climax with a fireworks and lights finale by Phoenix.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “Much of our work takes place in the urban area of Kent, so it is great that we are able to work in a rural area to promote cohesion and bring communities together. We are grateful for all the local schools taking part and the on-going support provided by the local community.”

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  • Community Engagement Meeting

    Community Engagement Meeting

    KECC had a positive response to a special Community Engagement Meeting which took place at the Grand Offices in King Street, Gravesend. Speakers at the event included Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott who spoke about his role and his request for feedback for his new Police and Crime Plan. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley who spoke about the positive work that Kent Police around engaging with diverse communities are doing and his commitment to keeping Kent a safe place to live and work in.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council spoke about the Reaching Communities Project that KECC are involved with and how members of the local community could get free help and advice around issues such as immigration, debts and benefits.

    The Assistant Director of Community Engagement Kent Fire and Rescue Martin Adams then spoke about the work that the Service was doing especially around supporting those who are elderly and vulnerable.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher “I was really pleased with the meeting. There was a good representation from the local community and we were able to let people know what help and support is available locally, I was especially keen to speak about the Reaching Communities Project we are working with Citizens Advice on.”

  • Mela Sunshine in Calverley Grounds

    Mela Sunshine in Calverley Grounds

    Sunshine, music, food and dance from around the world was the order of the day at the 11th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which took place in Calverley Grounds on July 17. The Mela was organised by Cohesion Plus and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Arts Council England.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Mela Festival Director commented “I have been involved with the Mela in Tunbridge Wells since its inception and am really proud of how we have managed to develop it over the years. This year despite the funding issues we have managed to deliver an excellent culturally diverse stage programme which showcased a number of local acts alongside internationally renowned artists like Jassi Sidhu. I am very grateful to everyone who attended and supported this community celebration. The Mela Festival is unique to Tunbridge Wells and I am determined to keep it going.”

    The Mela Festival stage programme featured a range of culturally diverse acts including local artists Sean Fennessey and Friends and the renowned Paul Dunton Orchestra, Kent based African ensemble Uzambezi, Bulgarian folk dance group Kitka, belly dancing troupe Anaconda and Phase 5 Steel Band. The headline act was International Bhangra Superstar Jassi Sidhu who had the crowd up and dancing with his unique fusion of bhangra and pop music. The Mela Festival was climaxed by Stevie One who sang the hits of Stevie Wonder.

    According to Jassi Sidhu “It was a great privilege to perform in Royal Tunbridge Wells. In recent months I have been performing in North America, Africa and India, so to come to an event like this where many in the audience are not familiar with my catalogue of hits and have them up and dancing was a great experience. I believe events like this are a great way to expose audiences to new styles of music and established artists in particular genres like me to new fans”

    Alongside the exciting stage programme there was a creative arts zone where Same Sky Arts delivered workshops, Four by Four Dhol Drummers taught members of the public how to play the popular Indian Percussion instrument and Nutkhut who performed with their special stilt walkers and had the audience up, laughing and dancing. There was also an array of food, craft and information stalls including Kent Police who were represented along with members of the Tunbridge Wells Independent Police Advisory Group.

  • Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival July 17

    Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival July 17

    The 11th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which celebrates the diversity of the borough through music, food and dance will be taking place on July 17 at the Calverley Grounds between 12.30pm and 6.30pm. The Mela has been organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Arts Council England.

    A range of culturally diverse artists will be performing at the Mela including Bulgarian folk dance group Kitka, local band Sean Fennessey and Friends, popular Bhangra star Jassi Sidhu, African ensemble Uzambezi, the Paul Dunton Orchestra, belly dancing troupe Anaconda, Phase 5 Steel Band and Stevie One who will be performing Motown classics.

    Alongside the exciting stage programme there is also going to be a creative arts zone where Same Sky Arts will be delivering workshops and Nutkhut will also be performing with their special stilt walkers who will get the audience up, laughing and dancing.

    In the food zone there will be dishes from around the World for everyone to enjoy and there will also be a licensed bar serving alcohol from around the Globe.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Mela Festival Director commented “It has been very challenging this year to raise the funds to deliver the Mela Festival, I am delighted that with the support of Arts Council England, local businesses and community groups that we have been able to pull together the event. I believe that the Arts is an excellent way for bringing communities together and the Mela Festival over the years has proven to be very popular with the local communities. We have an excellent line up made up of local and international artists as well as a wide array of local food and trade stalls which showcase the diversity of the borough.”

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    Please feel free to viev last years Mela

  • Gravesham celebrates HM Queen 90th Birthday

    Gravesham celebrates HM Queen 90th Birthday

    Birthday cake and bright skies was the order of the day as Gravesham celebrated the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Cohesion Plus, working with Gravesham Borough Council and Kent Equality Cohesion Council organised a special street party on the Community Square on Friday June 10 which was attended by over 400 people. They were entertained by Elton John and One Direction tribute acts while enjoying specially prepared packed lunches sitting in the sun.

    This was followed on Saturday June 11 by the fourth Gravesham Fusion Festival at the Fort Gardens. The theme was Britain and the Commonwealth and was headlined by leading Queen Tribute act Real Magic. They were supported by local Kent based acts including Four by Four Bhangra, Phase 5 Steel Band, Uzambezi, Gemma Moore, Confident Queen Genny Jones, Chuckle Singh’s and Shadow of Doubt.

    In addition to the stage programme Same Sky Arts delivered creative arts workshops for young people who made union flags and crowns.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I was really pleased that the weather held out and we were able to be involved in 2 great community celebrations to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday. She has been a beacon for this nation since her coronation in 1953 and we can all learn from her commitment to public service. I have had some real positive feedback and hope that we created some great memories for the young people who were able to take part in the celebrations.” 

  • Gravesham Fusion Festival 2016 celebrates HM Queen 90th Birthday

    Gravesham Fusion Festival 2016 celebrates HM Queen 90th Birthday

    The fourth Gravesham Fusion Festival taking place on June 11 at the Fort Gardens will celebrate the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen and will feature performances from Britain and the Commonwealth. The event has been organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council with the support of Kent County Council.

    The festival is being headlined by leading Queen Tribute act Real Magic who will perform alongside Four by Four Bhangra, Phase 5 Steel Band, Uzambezi, Gemma Moore and Shadow of Doubt between 1pm and 5.30pm. There will also be special performances by the Confident Queen Genny Jones and the Chuckle Singh’s.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am pleased that the Fusion Festival is now in its 4th year. Each year we have tried to evolve it and this year I am pleased that the theme is the Queen and the Commonwealth. I am as ever very grateful to our partners for their support and look forward to welcoming members of the local community to the event on Saturday. We will be giving out some Union Jack flags at the festival and are encouraging people to bring along their own as well so we can all celebrate the happy occasion of the Queen’s 90th birthday.”

    In the build up to the Festival Gurvinder Sandher has been meeting local dignitaries including the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Greta Goatley, Adam Holloway MP, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council Cllr John Cubitt, as well local businesses and artists to spread the word about waving the Union Jack flag with pride at the Festival.”

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  • Waving the Flag for Saint George

    Waving the Flag for Saint George

    Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23rd saw the communities of Dartford come out in force to celebrate Saint George’s Day. The festivities which were organised by Cohesion Plus, Dartford Borough Council and Kent Equality Cohesion Council were some of the biggest in England.

    The annual Saint George’s Day parade took place on the Friday and featured 500 children from 8 local schools. The parade was led North Kent resident Russel Palmer who was dressed up as Saint George and started outside the Civic Centre in Home Gardens before going over the footbridge, through Orchards Shopping Centre, into the High Street and then finishing at Central Park. The Mayor of Dartford Cllr Armitt also took part in the parade along with the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Kite, Dev Sharma the Chair of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gareth Johnson MP.

    The parade was greatly support by members of the local community, many of whom waved the flag of Saint George proudly. Entertainment in the parade included the Premier Brass Band, Bollywood Brass Band, Stilt Walkers, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, West Hill Morris and comedy duo Payne and Pearce.

    Once the parade reached Band Stand in Central Park the children sang happy birthday to HM The Queen before seeing entertainment from some of the different groups involved. The event concluded with the National Anthem and the waving of Saint George’s flags.

    On Saturday there were performances by the Premier Brass Band around the town centre and opportunities to take photos with Saint George as well as flags and badges being given out by Dartford Borough Council.

    Dev Sharma MBE, the Chair of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council which is organising the celebrations commented, “We are really pleased with the positive response we received to the Saint George’s Day celebrations. Months of time and planning go into events like this but all the hard work is worth it when the local communities come out and support it like they did this year. I am also grateful to the support provided by our partners Cohesion Plus and Dartford Borough Council and we look forward to doing something even bigger next year.”

    John Varah Artistic Director of Same Sky Arts who worked with the local schools commented “We always look forward to working in Dartford as the schools are such a joy to work with. I believe this year’s Saint George’s Day celebrations are some of the best yet that we have been involved with.”

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  • Gravesham Saint George Day 2016

    Gravesham Saint George Day 2016

    The annual Saint George’s Day Parade and celebrations took place in Gravesham on Friday April 22. 700 Children from 15 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 and the Bollywood Brass Band which warmed up the gathering crowd. The parade led by Saint George himself who was played by Gravesham resident Russel Palmer started outside Saint George’s Church. Along with the schools the Parade also featured special guests the Lord Lieutenant of Kent The Viscount De L’Isle and the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Wenban as well as performances by the Brass Bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Stilt Walkers and comedy medieval jesters Payne and Pearce. The Parade went up the High Street into King Street, through Saint George’s Shopping Centre and then head 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 700 school children sang Happy Birthday to HM The Queen before listening to the 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 and three cheers shouted for the Patron Saint of England.

    Gurvinder Sandher who led on the organisation of the celebrations commented “I was very pleased with what we were able to achieve working in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council and Arts Council England. There is great support for Saint George’s Day here in Gravesham and it was so pleasing to see the local community come out and support the event and to see so many people wave the flag of Saint George made me proud. I really think other towns could learn a lesson from what we are doing here and use events like Saint George’s Day to bring all the different communities together as one regardless of faith or ethnicity.”

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  • Help make Dartford the St Georgiest town in England this April

    Help make Dartford the St Georgiest town in England this April

    Community leaders are once again asking local people to help make Dartford the ‘St Georgiest town in England’ this St George’s Day.

    Cohesion Plus, Dartford Borough Council and Kent Equality Cohesion Council are working together to organise fantastic St George’s Day celebrations on Friday 22 April and Saturday 23 April and aim to make them some of the biggest celebrations taking place anywhere in England.

    There will be entertainment in the High Street at One Bell Corner from 12.45pm before some 500 children from 9 local schools will take part in a parade, starting at the Civic Centre in Home Gardens at 1.35pm. The procession will go through the town centre to Central Park where the celebrations will finish around the Bandstand at 2.30pm. The Parade will be led by the Mayor of Dartford Councillor Ian Armitt and Council Leader Jeremy Kite along with guests from Cohesion Plus.

    Suitably rousing entertainment will include the Premier Brass Band, Bollywood Brass Band, West Hill Morris Dance Troupe, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, a Town Crier, a Saint George in full armour and Medieval Court Jesters. Celebrations are set to continue the following morning from 11.00 am in the form of a meet and greet with Saint George himself as well as performances by the Premier Brass Band along the High Street.

    The event puts good old St George, the Patron Saint of England at the centre of the town’s celebration and invites everyone to join in a great celebration of this wonderful country and all the people who call it home.

    Dev Sharma MBE, the Chair of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council which is organising the celebrations commented, “We are very passionate about Saint George’s Day as we believe it is an excellent way for communities to come together and share our common values and celebrate what it means to be English today.”

    Timetable of Activities:

    12.45pm – 1.30pm Entertainment in the High Street featuring Brass Bands and Morris Dancers

    1.35pm – 2pm Schools parade starting from the Civic Centre in Home Gardens going via Orchard Shopping Centre and the High Street, pausing briefly outside Memorial Gardens for the raising of the flag of Saint George before ending on the Bandstand in Central Park.

    2pm – 2.30pm Entertainment on the Bandstand in Central Park

    The celebrations are being funded by Cohesion Plus Kent, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England

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  • Gravesham St George Day 22/23 Apr 2016

    Gravesham St George Day 22/23 Apr 2016

    Preparations are under way for the Saint George’s Day celebrations which will be taking place in Gravesham on April 22 between 10am and 11.30am. The festivities have been organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Gravesham Borough Council in what will be some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England on the day itself.

    There will be entertainment on the Community Square and in the Town Centre from 10am and a parade featuring 15 local schools and some 700 local children from 10.30am. The celebrations will climax on Community Square at 11.30am. Entertainment will include the Premier Brass Band, Bollywood Brass Band, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, a Town Crier, a Saint George in full armour and Medieval Court Jesters.

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

    Gurvinder Sandher who is organising the celebrations commented “I am very pleased that with the support of Arts Council England and Gravesham Borough Council that we are in a position to organise another fantastic community celebration for Saint George’s Day. Over time this event has grown to become one of the biggest events of its kind in England and is an excellent example of how the arts can be used to bring communities together as one.”

    Timetable of Activities:

    10am – 10.30am Free concert on Community Square by local brass band

    10am – 10.20am Entertainment on the High Street and King Street by the Town Crier, Brass Bands and Morris Dancers

    10.30 – 11.30am Schools parade in Town Centre and entertainment on Community Square at the climax

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