Dartford Painted Rocks & Sports roundup

Local people from Dartford Painted Rocks on Facebook have been busy this month painting and hiding them around town. The rocks can also be exchanged at Stephen Oliver: Studio and Gallery located in the Orchard Shopping Centre.

Here are some great photos of their painted rocks.

DARTFORD PAINTED ROCKS

By Maria Kingsford

Local people from ‘Dartford painted rocks’ on Facebook have been busy this month painting and hiding them around the town. The rocks can be exchanged at Stephen Oliver: Studio and Gallery located at the Orchards Shopping Centre .

Here are some of the photos of their latest painted rocks.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

After the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) opened a call for evidence from the elite and grassroots game in early November, more than 1,000 people (and growing) have contacted an inquiry into discrimination in cricket amid the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal and Yorkshire Cricket Club. ICEC chair Cindy Butts has stated the cricket “must change now… it is crucial people across the game, many likely inspired by Azeem’s bravery, have the chance to be heard.” Rafiq himself says he expects the “floodgates” to open and similar cases in county cricket to emerge, as he urged anyone who had experienced abuse in cricket to speak out. Don’t be surprised if this is just the tip of the iceberg, especially in relation to Yorkshire. As a reminder, the recent events follow an earlier report by an independent panel which found Rafiq had been a victim of “racial harassment and bullying” at Yorkshire, but the club said they would not take disciplinary action against any player, employee or executive. That prompted widespread criticism of the club’s response, during which several senior members of the club resigned, and kit supplier Nike and many sponsors have either ended partnerships or said they would not continue deals. Yorkshire have also been suspended from hosting international matches by the ECB.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER INCLUDE:

5 Dec Formula One racing - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 12 Dec Formula One racing - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 13-18 Dec SWIMMING World Short Course Champs (Abu Dhabi)

26 Dec RACING King George VI Chase