Useful numbers

LOCAL AND NATIONAL

Call 999 in an Emergency Fire, Police, Ambulance and Coastguard 101 Non Emergency Number for Kent Police Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 111 NHS Non Emergency Number

KEY NUMBERS Police 01622 690690 NON EMERGENCY ONLY Fire Safety Advice & FREE Home Fire Safety Check 0800 169 1125 Dartford Borough Council 01322 343434 Gas Leaks (24 hour) 0800 111 999 EDF Energy Networks Emergencies/ Powercuts Helpline 105 Flooding 03459881180 Highways Kent 03000 41 41 41 Social Services 03000 41 41 41 Water Burst 0800 820 999 (Southern) 0800 714614 (Thames) HEALTH Darent Valley Hospital 01322 428100 Dartford East Health Centre 01322 421480 Boots Chemist Bluewater 01322 624780 (Late Night) ASDA Greenhithe Chemist 01322 374100 (Late Night) The National Pandemic Flu Service 0800 1513 100 West Kent NHS helpline 0800 0 850850

TRAVEL Heathrow Airport Enquires 08700 000123 Gatwick Airport Enquires 08700 002468 National Rail Enquires 08456 484950 Highways England Info Line 0300 123 5000

HELPLINES 24 Hour Kent Dementia Helpline: 0800 500 3014 Alcoholics Anonymous: 08457 697 555 Citizens Advice Bureau: 01322 472 979 Debt Councilling (CAP) 0800 328 0006 Information About Drugs - FRANK: 0800 776600 Kent Homophobic Incident Reporting Line: 0800 328 9162 Kent Racial Incident Reporting Line: 0800 138 1624 Local Breastfeeding Counsellors Judianne/Paula 01322 224072 National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hour) 0808 2000 247 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 RSPCA Kent, North West Branch Helpline 01322 286720 Samaritans: 116 123

LOCAL MP Gareth Johnson 020 7219 7047

LOCAL SPORTS CLUBS Bexley Rugby Club 01322 550142 or www.pitchero.com/clubs/bexleyrfc/ Dartford Ladies Hockey Club Dawn Hall (Secretary) 07793 777250

Dartford Ju Jitsu Club Mondays, Dartford Girls Grammar School, Shepherds Lane. 6.30-8.00 Juniors, 8.00-10.00 Seniors www. dartfordjujitsu.co.uk Dartford Sharks Basketball Club Tim Dickson - 07855 692527. Dartford Volleyball Club Graham - 01322 275290 or 07984 106134. Stone Lodge Indoor Bowling Club 01322 274111. VCD Table Tennis Club Eric Jenkins - 0208 3038312. ‘Play & pay’, 9 hole, par 3 golf course on Dartford Football Club’s Princes Park- Contact: 01322 299990 www.dartfordfc.com Dartford Valley RFC - www.pitchero.com/clubs/ darenthvalleyrfc/ USEFUL FACEBOOK GROUPS Dartford Living Dartford Together Dartford Living Community Group

By Local resident Les Bourne

So the country is gripped by Corona And I regret I’ve become a bit of a moaner. I’ve shopped for food and endured the congestion, Now filling the hours is the difficult question.

Oh how on earth do I spend my time? By eating cake and drinking wine? Oh no, that is not good enough, I need to do some other stuff.

I’ve sort of cut the grass three times this week, And now some different tasks I seek. Keep fit with Joe would be a start But I just can’t keep my knees apart.

I could take a walk along the dell Keeping separate from folk, as if they smell. A ten-minute stretch is enough for me Then come back home for a biscuit and tea.

Phone a friend, that’s an idea. Not face to face, don’t come near. It would be nice to share a coffee and bun, But in isolation, there’s no such fun.

Jigsaws and puzzles can be amusing, But in truth I find them so confusing. The brain is in no mood to think, I take solace in my food and drink.

I have books, so can try some reading, But after two pages, I need more feeding. A bag of crisps this time I think. That’s better, now I’m in the pink.

I’ll try my hand at something arty. No, a sausage sandwich is much more hearty. That might fill my needy belly, Then I’ll watch a bit of telly.

I’ll count the hours, six, seven, eight . . . I’m getting tired, it must be late. I’ll remember to clap the caring staff, They need a big smile and a bit of a laugh.

Then off to bed and close my eyes, Sleep away the hours then arise. Some exercise I really should take. But what the heck, just pass the cake! Have you written anything that you’d like to share with Dartford Living’s readers? Email our Editor (Vijay) at editor@dartfordliving.com