Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bhargwara Vasudaven

  • The Communities of Gravesham come out for the Gravesham Festival of Christmas Lights

    The Communities of Gravesham come out for the Gravesham Festival of Christmas Lights

    The diverse communities of Gravesham came out to support the return of the Gravesham Festival of Christmas Lights on Friday 19th November. The event has not taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic and was delivered by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus and Gravesham Borough Council.

    The event proved to be one of the biggest to date as entertainment started in the town centre with pop up performances taking place across the High Street, Windmill Street, New Road and Community Square getting people into the Christmas spirit.

    Civic guests included The Mayor of Gravesham, Councillor Lyn Milner, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bhargawa Vasudaven and local Councillors and representatives from various faith and community organisations who led the parade which included 13 local schools.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was a delight to see the communities of Gravesham come out and celebrate together again after such a long time. The whole ethos of our work is to promote unity, community cohesion, tolerance and shared British values and we are proud that this longstanding and popular event provides the platform to do this. Christmas is a special time for everyone regardless of faith, whether you celebrate or not. We are incredibly grateful to our partners for their continued support and we are proud that the Gravesham Festival of Lights was such a huge success given its absence last year.”

  • 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.”

  • Online Commonwealth Day event brings communities together.

    Online Commonwealth Day event brings communities together.

    Online Commonwealth Day event brings communities together.

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus and the North Kent Caribbean Network delivered an online celebration to mark Commonwealth Day on Tuesday 9th March. Civic, community and faith partners saw an event that celebrated the many contributions made to the United Kingdom by Commonwealth communities here in Kent.

    A key part of the event was the three short films that had been created focusing on education, health and policing featuring colleagues with links to the Commonwealth, talking about their lives, careers, challenges and the importance of celebrating Commonwealth Day. Those featured in the films included Deputy Superintendent Shaun White and Community Engagement and Hate Crime Manager Kulbir Pasricha from Kent Police and the Headteacher for Holy Trinity Primary School Denise Gibbs-Naguar.

    Civic guest speakers included Cllr Roger Gough, Leader of the Kent County Council and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bhargwara Vasudaven who also spoke his prolific career with the NHS. Young people from youth club The Grand also performed a moving rendition of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon in honour of Commonwealth Day.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC commented, “We were so proud to deliver a Commonwealth Day event despite the lockdown. We wholly believe that we need to celebrate such events and recognise the many vast contributions the Commonwealth has made the United Kingdom. At challenging time for not just the Commonwealth but the whole world it is important that we celebrate what we have in common and what binds us together rather than perceived differences. We are incredibly grateful to the North Kent Caribbean Network for their valued partnership and together, we look forward to delivering many more community focused events.”