Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Category: News

  • Saint George’s Day Celebrations

    Saint George’s Day Celebrations

    Over 1500 young people from 32 schools in Gravesham and Dartford will be taking part in community celebrations through Gravesend and Dartford town centres on April 23 to celebrate Saint Georges Day. The festivities has been organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus supported by Gravesham Borough Council and Dartford Borough Council’s in what will be some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England.

    Work will shortly commence in schools to prepare special visual arts and craft displays which will be used during the parade which will be led by the Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Marching Band and the Cultural Beats Project and which will also involve other local music and dance projects. The focal point of the two parades will be a model of Saint George which has been made by local children.

    The aim of the events is to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in Gravesham and Dartford to celebrate this important day. The celebrations in Gravesham will take place between 10am and 11.30am and in Dartford between 1pm and 2.30pm.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC) who has been working on the celebrations for the past few months commented “This is our biggest celebration to date. I am really proud that working in conjunction with our local authority partners in Gravesham and Dartford that we have been able to organise such large scale celebrations to mark Saint George’s Day. I feel that Saint George’s Day should be celebrated more widely as it is an important way of bringing diverse communities together and celebrating what it means to be English today.”

  • Listen to Our Voices – Women’s Event

    Listen to Our Voices – Women’s Event

    sws 1Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Rethink Mental Illness have organised a Women’s only Conference which will take place on the evening of March 15 at the Woodville Halls in Gravesend. The event is titled Sadi Awaaz Suno (Listen to our Voices).

    The aim of the event is to look at issues such as domestic violence, forced marriages, women’s mental health issues and the different support services available to women in North Kent.  It will also provide an opportunity for delegates to socialise and network.

    The event will be addressed by the Kent Police Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes and by representatives from The Henna Foundation which works nationally and internationally to advance the needs, concerns and aspirations of Muslim women, children and their families.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, commented “This is the first of 4 events that we are delivering this year as part of our Cohesion and Engagement Project to raise awareness of important issues. We are grateful to be again working in partnership with Rethink Mental Illness who have an excellent track record of supporting and advising members of the local community who require help and support. We hope that the event is well attended and people take something away from the evening.”

  • Kent Equality Cohesion Council

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council

    We have recently moved office to the Basement, 8 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0PA. Our new offices are opposite the Civic Centre and about a 4 minute walk from Gravesend Train Station.
  • Festival of Light Proves Popular in Dartford

    Festival of Light Proves Popular in Dartford

    Dartford Town Centre was brought to a standstill on Friday November 23 as around 500 people took part in the fourth Dartford Festival of Light which was organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cohesion Plus and Dartford Borough Council. The parade involved 9 schools from Dartford along with their parents and members of the public who joined in as the parade went around. The children had been working hard in the preparation for the festival making lanterns and torches which they carried in the parade. In total around 400 children benefited from workshops in the build-up to the event.

    The aim of the Festival of Light was to bring the communities of Dartford together through the arts, and was inspired by the Great British Year which included the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics. Union Flags were given out during the parade and many people waved them with pride as the children walked by with their lanterns.

    fol dart nov 2012

    The parade which along with the schools also featured Bloco Fogo Samba Group and the Four by Four Bhangra Dhol Drummers started on the green outside Central Library, it then went onto the High Street, before finishing at One Bell Corner where the National Anthem was played before the participants were thanked by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Ann Allen and event organiser Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council. All schools were then presented with trophies which were presented by guests from Dartford Borough Council, Kent Police and Kent Fire Rescue Service.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who led on the organisation of the Festival “Having had to cancel the original date in October due to bad weather I was really proud that we were able to not only re-arrange the event but that we were able to put on such a spectacular event which was enjoyed by all who took part. The theme of the festival was to celebrate the great British Year and we hope that the young people who took part will remember this for many years to come. I was pleased that people waved the union flags which we gave out as the parade walked by as I believe it is important that we use events like this to celebrate what it means to be British. Great credit also needs to be given to our partners Dartford Borough Council whose help and support enabled the event to be the success it was.”

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  • One Game, One Community Event Great Success

    One Game, One Community Event Great Success

    kick it out 4Kent 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.

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    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.”

    kick it out 3Troy 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.

  • Dartford Festival of Light Rescheduled. 2012

    Dartford Festival of Light Rescheduled. 2012

    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.

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

    Nov 2012 Dart FOLThe 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.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the Director of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who is co-ordinating the event “We have had a great British year and I hope that the community of Dartford will come out and support this celebration and bring along their union flags and wave with pride. It was great to see so many people in the summer through the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics celebrating what it means to be British and we hope locally we can do this through the Festival of Light. I am really pleased with the support being provided by our partners Dartford Borough Council, Arts Council England and Kent County Council.”

  • Mayor Curry Night in Gravesham raises over £1600

    Mayor Curry Night in Gravesham raises over £1600

    GBC MayorThe 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.

    Cllr Lyn Milner the Mayor of Gravesham commented “I was overwhelmed with the great support that the curry night received. We have raised some vital funds for local causes and I would like to thank everyone who came and supported the evening and those who donated auction and raffle prizes.”

    Local business man Shinde Bains from A1 Construction made a donation of £500 on the night while the auction raised over £850 including a successful bid of £500 for a cricket shirt signed by Indian and Kent players by Tejwant Chattha from Prestige Motors.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who helped organise the Curry Night on behalf of the Mayor of Gravesham commented “A lot of hard work went into organising the event so it was very pleasing to see how much we were able to raise on the night. Great credit needs to go the local businesses who supported the event through donations of prizes and pledges of money. I feel it is a great testament to the high regard that our Mayor Lyn Milner is held that so many people came out and supported this event.”

  • Dartford Festival of Light Cancelled.

    Dartford Festival of Light Cancelled.

    Dartford Festival of Light is cancelled due to bad weather. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will try to reschedule as soon as possible. Watch this space.

    Gurvinder Sandher.

  • Dartford Festival of Light 2012

    Dartford Festival of Light 2012

    dartford fol posterPreparations 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.

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

    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.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the Director of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who is co-ordinating the event “We have had a great British year and I hope that the community of Dartford will come out and support this celebration and bring along their union flags and wave with pride. It was great to see so many people in the summer through the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics celebrating what it means to be British and we hope locally we can do this through the Festival of Light. I am really pleased with the support being provided by our partners Dartford Borough Council, Arts Council England and Kent County Council.”

  • Gravesend Festival of Light

    Gravesend Festival of Light

    Over 1000 people attended the celebrations on Friday September 7 at the Riverside Leisure Area to mark the climax of the Paralympic Games and the Great British Summer which included the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games including over 350 local school children who took part in a lantern parade. The community celebration was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus with the support of Gravesham Borough Council.

    Festival of Light Gravesend-2

    Following performances by Pan Steel Group Steel Ambition and Samba Group Bloco Fogo there were presentations made to all the children who took part in the event by making lanterns for the parade which promoted the Paralympic Values of Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality. They were each presented with medals by the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr. Lyn Milner and the Chairman of KECC Dev Sharma MBE along with representatives from local partners including Kent Police, Dartford and Gravesend Muslim Association, Afro-Caribbean Business Forum and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

    Festival of Light Gravesend-1

    Following the National Anthem where many present waved their Union Flags the parade led by the Four by Four Bhangra Youth Club and Bloco Fogo departed from the Bandstand to the Riverfront where the evening climaxed with a spectacular light show on the Sky Dome which was been created by arts Company Samesky.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We hope that the celebrations today helped to inspire all the young people who took part. I was overwhelmed with the level of support that we received on the night and this was a real cross community and cross generational event with everyone coming together to celebrate this historic British Summer. We should be really proud in Gravesham of how our communities come together and celebrate as one from Vaisakhi to Saint George’s Day to the Diamond Jubilee to Eid and now this event.”

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