Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Category: News

  • Sadi Awaz Suno (Listen to our Voices)

    Sadi Awaz Suno (Listen to our Voices)

    Over 300 women attended the Sadi Awaaz Suno (Listen to our Voices) event held at the Woodville Halls in Gravesham on Friday March 11. The event was organised in partnership by Rethink Sahayak and Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

    The aim of the event was to look at issues such as domestic violence, equality and human rights, forced marriages, women’s health issues and the different support services available to women around Kent. It also provided an opportunity for women to socialise and watch a full array of cultural performances.

    The main guest speakers were Deputy Chief Constable Gary Beautridge and Nazir Afzal the Director of Communities at the Crown Prosecution Service. Gary spoke about his visit to India and the work which was undertaken with the Indian Police. Kent Police have piloted some innovative work around domestic violence and he provided information around support mechanisms available to women who are suffering. Nazir spoke about some of the recent cases he has been involved in which have been to trial around honour killings and forced marriage including the murder of Geeta Aulak in West London. Nazir said it was important for members of the community to speak out about these issues and that those who were suffering not to suffer in silence.

    Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who spoke about equality and human rights issues commented “We have had a very good response to our event. The issues that were discussed today were very hard hitting and it was very positive to see so many people in attendance. I believe that all in attendance will have learnt something from today, I was personally very moved by the passionate and emotive presentation given by Nazir Afzal as he was talking about real cases that he has been involved in, in recent months. It is shocking that in this day and age that people within the Asian community can be murdered because they want a divorce. We need to work together as a community to challenge these stereotypes around honour and respect”

    Carol Gosal the Area Service Manager for Kent and Sussex for Rethink said “A lot of hard work went into pulling this event together. It all proved to be worthwhile with the fantastic attendance we had. Rethink is committed to working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council and our statutory and community partners to make a positive difference to women who may need help and support with some of the issues which were discussed at the event.”

  • Director wins Local Award

    Director wins Local Award

    Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council was awarded a special award by Cllr. Jeremy Kite the Leader of Dartford Borough Council for his work around promoting community cohesion in the borough. The Dartfordian Awards was in recognition of his work around the Dartford Mela, the Dartford Festival of Light and his efforts around organising the forthcoming Dartford Saint George’s Day and Royal Wedding Celebrations. Gurvinder commented after receiving the award “I was very surprised and greatly honoured to receive this award from Dartford Borough Council. It is always nice to be recognised for your work and is a reward not just for me but for our volunteers and community partners who always support our work in Dartford.”
  • Dartford Saint Georges and Royal Wedding Celebrations

    Dartford Saint Georges and Royal Wedding Celebrations

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and with the support of Kent County Council have organised the Dartford Saint George’s Day & Royal Wedding Celebrations which will take place on Wednesday April 27th. 450 pupils from 7 local schools will be taking part in the parade which starts at 10am. The procession will turn right out of Central Park, and then head towards the High Street going past the Paper Moon Public House on the Corner, then along the High Street, briefly stopping at One Bell Corner for the National Anthem before proceeding to the Bandstand in Central Park. There will be a short concert at the bandstand with performances by Premier Brass, Big Fish, Cultural Beats, Bloco Fogo Samba and local schools. In addition there will be a presentation for each school taking part. According to Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council “I have been greatly enthused by the support provided by local schools and partners for this event. A lot of time and effort has gone into pulling this event together and I hope that the community of Dartford will come out and support the parade and the celebrations.”

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  • Biggest Street Party in Kent

    Biggest Street Party in Kent

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council and with the support of Kent County Council have organised the biggest street party in Kent which will involve over 500 young people to celebrate the forthcoming Royal Wedding. The celebrations will take place on Thursday April 28 and will start with a parade at 10am featuring 10 local schools. The parade will start outside the Towncentric offices, Saint George’s Square. It will continue up the High Street into New Road, through Saint George’s Shopping Centre back onto New Road before finishing on the new Civic Centre Square where the street party will take place. In addition to the food for the children there will be live entertainment provided by popular local DJ Stan Lee King and Queen Tribute Performer Gary Goodmaze performing as Freddie Mercury. Then once the schools have departed there will be a quick turnaround and then a free lunchtime concert between 12.30pm and 2pm where members of the public can bring their own food and enjoy the festivities.

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  • Guru Nanak Sports Festival

    Guru Nanak Sports Festival

    The annual Guru Nanak Sports Festival will take place on Sunday May 2 at the new Gurdwara site on Trinity Road. The Festival will attract many people from the local community. They will be able to see teams compete from around the UK. The festival is part of a series of similar festivals which take place around the Country. In addition to the team from Gravesend there will be participants from Coventry, Birmingham, Southall, Slough and Wolverhampton amongst others.

    The main focal point of interest will be the Kabbadi Tournament. Kabbadi is a popular sport which originates from the Indian Sub-Continent. The aim of the game is to score points by raiding into the opponent’s court and touching as many defence players as possible without getting caught on a single breath.

    The Festival has been organised by the Gravesend Kabbadi Club in partnership with the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara with the support of Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council.

    An alcohol free dispersal zone has been established on the streets surrounding the site including Trinity Road, Wellington Street and Peacock Street. Those attending in cars are expected to park in the Parrock Street and Ordnance Road public car parks.

  • Vaisakhi 2011 Celebrations

    Vaisakhi 2011 Celebrations

    Thousands enjoyed the annual Sikh festival of Vaisakhi through Gravesend Town Centre on Saturday April 18. The Naggar Kirtan (Procession) attracted not only members of the Sikh community but also members of the other diverse communities in North West Kent.

     

    Gurvinder Sandher the Director of Kent Equality Cohesion Council said “It was fantastic to see the diverse communities of Gravesham coming together to celebrate Vaisakhi.  It underlined for me the positive community relations that we enjoy and how events like this bring the communities together.  I am really pleased for the Guru Nanak Darbar Management Committee who put so much time and effort into pulling this event together along with our partners from Gravesham Borough Council and Kent Police.  I hope that we will get just as positive response to the Royal Wedding celebrations and parade that we have organised in Gravesham on April 28.”

     

    The Naggar Kirtan was led by the Panj Piary (5 Beloved) who were dressed in saffron coloured robes and turbans. They were followed by the Sikh’s holy book the Guru Granth Sahib in a special model of the Golden Temple. The Naggar Kirtan started at the new Sikh Temple which is one of the biggest outside of India where special prayers were said and members of the public heard speeches from the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr. Bill Lambert, the Chief Constable of Kent Ian Learmonth and representatives from the Gurdwara Management Committee.

    The procession then went through the town centre, with the colourful spectacle being enjoyed by those in the town. In addition to the religious floats, there were numerous community projects involved in the Naggar Kirtan including the Gatka Jatha, Four by Four Bhangra Youth Club, Jugnu Bhangra Group, Guru Nanak Day Centre, Kent Police, Rotary Club and the Kent Fire & Rescue Service. Following a stop in Arthur Street at the Guru Ravi Dass Gurdwara the procession climaxed where it started back at the new Gurdwara complex off Trinity Road.  Throughout the route there were special donations made of food and drink by members of the local community.