Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Dartford Borough Council

  • St Georges Day 23rd April

    St Georges Day 23rd April

    The annual Saint George’s Day celebrations in Gravesham and Dartford will be some of the biggest taking place in England on April 23rd. The celebrations, which have been put together by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus celebrate the communities of England in the context of 2019 and educates young people about Saint George the patron Saint of England.

    This year 22 local schools across Gravesham and Dartford have been taking part in arts workshops run by arts organisation Same Sky in the lead up to the parade where they will have the opportunity to showcase their creations. The festivities are supported by Gravesham Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England.

    The celebrations in Gravesend Town Centre will take place between 10am and 11.30am and in Dartford Town Centre 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Entertainment includes Big Fish Brass Band, DDFK and Premier Brass Bands, West Hill Morris, Hartley Morris Men, Saint George’s themed Stilt Walkers, a Saint George in full armor and a large scale dragon will feature.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of KECC commented “Whether we like it or not our country is greatly divided. I hope that over time we can come back together and that is why events like Saint George’s Day need to be celebrated as there is more that binds us together as communities than divides us. We have been arranging Saint George’s Day celebrations in Gravesham and Dartford for over 10 years now and I believe these events are a model other parts of the Country can learn from.”

  • KECC Celebrate 10 Years of the Dartford Festival of Light

    KECC Celebrate 10 Years of the Dartford Festival of Light

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council was proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Dartford Festival of Light on Friday October 19th. Around 1500 people participated in the community festival which celebrates the values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality. Working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Cohesion Plus, the event proved to be as popular as ever and was a great showcase of the fantastic artwork which young people from 8 local schools had created working with Same Sky.

    The festival included performances on One Bell Corner by the Folk in Fusion Drumming Collective, Bloco Fogo Samba and the Stilt Batteristas. They were joined by Hilary the Triceratops who roamed the High Street interacting with members of the public. There was then a lantern parade featuring local schools which was led by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr David Mote, Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE and Lak Heer from the Bostall Group who was the event sponsor. The parade went from the High Street via Suffolk Road into the Orchards Shopping Centre, left out towards Holy Trinity Church before climaxing in Central Park. The entrance in Central Park was especially lit up for the occasions with lanterns as was the area around the Band Stand.

    The celebrations climaxed with a presentation to local schools to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Festival and a colourful fireworks display.

    Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am very proud of what we have achieved with the Dartford Festival of Light. The whole ethos of the event is to bring communities together and celebrate our shared values and is an event that the community of Dartford should be proud of. I hope that we can continue to evolve the festival and get more and more people involved.”

  • Communities come together to celebrate Saint George’s Day!

    Communities come together to celebrate Saint George’s Day!

    Communities come together to celebrate Saint George’s Day!

    Dartford played host to some of the biggest celebrations in England to commemorate Saint George’s Day on Monday April 23rd. 500 Children from 8 local schools participated in the vibrant festivities which were organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Dartford Borough Council. The aim of the event was to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities in a large scale celebration.

    The festivities began on One Bell Corner with performances from West Hill Morris, Premier Brass Band, Brass Volcanoes, and Cohesion Plus’ Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective with Saint George themed Stilt Walkers interacting with the growing crowds.

    The colourful parade started at the Civic Centre and made its way through the Orchard Shopping Centre accompanied by West Hill Morris, Premier Brass Band, Brass Volcanoes, Cohesion Plus’s Folkin Fusion Drumming and artistic partners LV21 and Same Sky. Once the parade reached the High Street they were joined by a large scale dragon and hundreds of local residents who then followed the parade to its climax in Central Park. .

    The parade climaxed around the Band Stand in Central Park the 500 school children sang Happy Birthday to HM The Queen to celebrate her 92nd birthday. The festivities climaxed with a special rendition of Land of Hope and Glory performed by Premier Brass Band and the Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “The underlying work of KECC is to bring communities together to celebrate what it means to be British within today’s diverse society. Looking around us here today I think we have achieved that and I am extremely proud of what we have delivered. I passionately believe that events like Saint George’s Day should be celebrated as a means of bringing communities together and I am glad to see that Dartford embraces the festivities so completely.

  • Dartford Saint George Day 2017

    Dartford Saint George Day 2017

    The annual Saint George’s Day Parade and celebrations took place in Dartford on Friday April 21. 500 Children from 10 local schools took part in the event which was organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Dartford 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 Dartford to celebrate this important day.

    Before the procession started there was entertainment on the High Street with performances by the West Hill Morris, Premier Brass Band, Big Fish Arts and the Bollywood Brass Band which attracted a large crowd.

    The Schools gathered outside the Civic Centre where the parade led by Saint George himself started. Along with the schools the parade also featured special guests the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Burrell and Gareth Johnson MP as well as performances by the Brass Bands, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Stilt Walkers and comedy medieval jesters and Shakespearian actors.

    The parade climaxed in Central Park by the Band Stand where the 500 school children sang Happy 91st Birthday to HM The Queen before watching a short programme of entertainment which climaxed with the Premier Brass Band playing Land of Hope of Glory and the National Anthem.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who led on the organisation of the celebrations commented “I am proud of what we were able to achieve working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council. We use the celebrations as a source of promoting unity and cohesion rather than discord and segregation and believe this work is a beacon that other parts of the Country could learn from.”

  • Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Saint George’s Day Celebrations 2017

    Preparations are underway for the Saint George’s Day celebrations which will be taking place in Gravesham and Dartford on April 21. The festivities have been organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus supported by Gravesham Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England in what will be some of the biggest celebrations taking place in England.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We are really pleased to be again in a position to organise the Saint Georges Day celebrations in Gravesham and Dartford. I believe passionately that events like Saint Georges Day are a great way of bringing diverse communities together and celebrating our core values which makes England the country it is. As ever, I am very grateful to all our partners for their ongoing support and their belief in our work.”

    In the build up to the day 21 local schools and some 1200 young people will benefit from creative arts workshops as they prepare for the parades which will be the highlight of the celebrations in the boroughs.

    The celebrations in Gravesham will take place between 10am and 11.30am and in Dartford between 12.45pm and 2.30pm. Entertainment will include music from Premier Brass Band, Bollywood Brass Band, performances by Stilt Walkers, Morris Dancers, Shakespeare as well as a Saint George in full armour.

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

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    2017 A4 Poster DARTFORD
  • Festival lights up Dartford

    Festival lights up Dartford

    Lights, music and fireworks were the order of the day at the 8th Dartford Festival of Light took place on Friday October 21. Organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Dartford Borough Council, KCC Members Fund and Arts Council England, the aim of the Festival was to bring the communities of Dartford together through the arts and promote key values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality

    12 local schools and some 650 children who benefited from free creative arts workshops then took part in a lantern parade led by the Mayor of Dartford John Burrell, KECC CEO Gurvinder Sandher, Gareth Johnson MP and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Jeremy Kite MBE. The parade started in the High Street and then went via Hythe Street, the Orchard Shopping Centre and Market Street to Central Park where it climaxed by the Band Stand.

    Once the Festival reached Central Park after a series of short performances and presentations to the schools, the evening climaxed with a spectacular fireworks and lights display to climax the celebrations delivered by the awards winning Phoenix Fireworks.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of KECC, “We are really proud of what we were able to achieve in Dartford this year. Great credit needs to go to our partners for their ongoing support and their confidence in our work. We are very much committed to using events like this and St George’s Day to promote community cohesion and bring the diverse communities of Dartford together as one. It was so good both young and old, schools from urban and rural parts of the borough participating and enjoying themselves.”

  • Dartford Festival of Light 2016

    Dartford Festival of Light 2016

    The 8th Dartford Festival of Light will take place on Friday October 21 between 6pm and 7.30pm. Organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England, the aim of the Festival is to bring the communities of Dartford together through the arts and promote key values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality.

    Artistic partners Same Sky Arts have been delivering creative workshops in 12 local schools with some 650 young people benefiting.

    The Festival this year is the most ambitious to date and is split into 3 distinct parts. Between 6pm and 6.30pm there will be entertainment on One Bell Corner as Phase 5 Steel Band where will be performing as will the Crocodile Brass on the High Street. Bloco Fogo will welcome train commuters at the station with their high energy Samba drumming performance.

    12 local schools will then take part in a lantern parade starting around 6.30pm The parade also involving musicians will be led by the Mayor of Dartford John Burrell, Chair of Kent ECC Dev Sharma MBE and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Jeremy Kite MBE and will start on One Bell Corner in the High Street. It will then go via Hythe Street, the Orchard Shopping Centre and Market Street to Central Park where it will climax by the Band Stand.

    Once the Festival reaches Central Park after a series of short performances and presentations to the schools, there will be a spectacular fireworks and lights display to climax the celebrations delivered by the awards winning Phoenix Fireworks.

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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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  • Dartford Festival of Light 2015

    Dartford Festival of Light 2015

    Preparations are well underway for the Dartford Festival of Light which will take place on Friday October 23 between 6pm and 8pm. Organised by leading arts organisation Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Dartford Borough Council and Arts Council England the Festival is now in its 7th year. The aim of the Festival is to bring the communities of Dartford together through the arts and promote key values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality.

    The Festival this year is the biggest to date and is split into 3 distinct parts. Between 6pm and 6.30pm there will be entertainment on One Bell Corner as local vocalist Mark Lees sings some popular chart tunes.

    11 local schools will then take part in a lantern parade starting around 6.30pm involving some 550 young people which will also involve the Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Crocodile Brass, Same Sky Arts and Stilt Walkers. The parade will be led by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Ian Armitt and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Jeremy Kite MBE and will start on One Bell Corner in the High Street. It will then go via Hythe Street, the Orchard Shopping Centre and Market Street to Central Park where it will climax by the Band Stand.

    Once the Festival reaches Central Park after a series of short performances and presentations there will be a spectacular fireworks display to climax the celebrations delivered by the awards winning Phoenix Fireworks.

    According to Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who is co-ordinating the event “I am really pleased with the positive response that we have had to date for the Dartford Festival of Light. It is a great showcase of how the arts can be used to bring communities together and a perfect showcase for Dartford Town Centre and builds upon the success of our Saint George’s Day celebrations and High Street Carnival. We have also added a firework element this year which we hope will prove popular.”

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  • Dartford High Street Carnival of Summer

    Dartford High Street Carnival of Summer

    There were big smiles and lots of sun at the first ever Dartford High Street Carnival of Summer which took place on July on Friday July 10. The Carnival organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Dartford Borough Council with the support of Arts Council England commenced in Central Park by the Bandstand between noon where the children gathered to have pack lunches and enjoy entertainment by the Steel Ambition Calypso Band, Four by Four Bhangra Group, Rhythm of the City Samba and children’s entertainer Ant Payne.

    At the same time there was a programme of entertainment around the High Street where the same performers also brought the High Street to a standstill with their colourful performances.

    The Carnival parade set off from Central Park just after 1.30pm led by the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Ian Armitt, Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE, Gareth Johnson MP and Chairman of Kent Equality Cohesion Council Dev Sharma MBE.

    The children from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary, Fleetdown Primary, Westgate Primary and Temple Hill Primary who had been working with the Great British Carnival Company in the build up to the event showcased some colourful creative art which focused on the history of Dartford and in taking pride in the Borough. The Carnival got bigger as it collected people along the way as it went from Central Park, via the High Street before returning to back to Central Park.

    Once the carnival arrived back each child was presented with a special medal to thank them for their participation.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of KECC commented “This was the first year that the High Street Carnival of Summer took place and I was really pleased with the positive impact it had. It was a great pleasure to see all the smiling faces not just of the young people taking part but parents and onlookers as the carnival parade went by. I very much appreciate our longstanding partnership with Dartford Borough Council and would like to thank them for all their help and support both in the build-up and on the day itself. I believe the Carnival showcased the positive community relations in the borough and showed how arts can be used to bring people together and celebrate the rich heritage of Dartford.”