THE ORCHARD THEATRE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESENTS
HHH SAT 22 JULY 2023 HHH
FREE EVENT 2PM – 7PM FROM RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK
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INCLUDES ANTON STEPHANS (X FACTOR) FROM STRICTLY COME DANCING GRAZIANO DI PRIMA & BALLROOM DANCER GIADA LINI
WEST END MEGAMIX - CARL MANN (WICKED)
COURTNEY STAPLETON (SIX) SCOTT SUTCLIFFE (MAMMA MIA)
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INCLUDES ON STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
PERFORMANCES FROM “DARTFORD’S GOT TALENT”
STALLHOLDERS H STREET PERFORMERS
PRIZES H GIVEAWAYS H STREET FOOD
MORE ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED!
HHH PRIDE Workshops HHH
DRAG WORKSHIPS WITH LOUIS CYFER
TUE 25 JULY
WEST END WORKSHOP
WED 26 JULY
STORY TIME WITH MAMA G
THU 27 JULY
HEEL DANCE WORKSHOP
THU 27 JULY
TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION
ORCHARDTHEATRE.CO.UK
The Lonely Bouquet
Local author launches new childrens book
Volunteers Week
Dartford Animal Rescue Trust
Tales from the Riverbank part 2
Beautiful Italy
Dartford Music School
Life Under the Stairs
Walking with the Darts
Tips to stay cool during the warm summer months
Automotive News
Competiton
Sports news
Hay Fever
Trading her hair to make dreams come true
Chocolate Brownies
Where to go locally
Dear Dartford Living Readers,
Welcome to our July issue of the magazine - we hope you like it!
We continue to live in challenging times, but as usual the magazine is jam-packed with lots of local information and local businesses. Please support as many as you can - use them or lose them! Like never before, your community needs you.
In case you weren’t aware, we run Dartford Living alongside volunteer members of the local community for the local community. It’s the only independently run magazine serving the local area with information, fun, good news and positive local stories!
Please get in touch if you would like to write an article for the magazine. If writing is not for you, then perhaps you could volunteer to deliver 100 or so magazines to your neighbours. You will guarantee your copy of the magazine and get a little exercise as well!
If you email editor@dartfordliving.com we will add you to our e-newsletter mailing list and you will join over 50,000 local people who read the magazine and/or follow us on social media each month.
Take care, Vijay
Editor - Dartford Living (and the rest of the fantastic Dartford Living volunteer team)
The Lonely Bouquet was started by Emily Avenson in Belgium. Emily had this wonderful idea for ‘spreading happiness and smiles one flower at a time’. The idea was simple make a bouquet attach a take me tag and leave it for a stranger to find to brighten their day.
At Dartford Florist we love this idea. Several times a year we leave bouquets around Dartford and the surrounding areas for people to find and make them smile.
Rachel has great fun leaving the bouquets and giving out clues on our Facebook page for where to find them. So pop over to our socials and give us a like to see where will be leaving the next lonely bouquets looking for a home.
We’ve had a number of local businesses support us and sponsor our bouquets, including Dartford Living and Darenth Print & Design.
By local author, Emily O’Reilly
Emily modestly describes Andrii’s art as by far the best thing about this book. She says that every thought and idea was made even better by him. The book was brought to life by his artsomething he dedicates all of his time to. After 7 months, their book was published in May. The final touches to the book include hidden caterpillars to count and a colouring/drawing page.
The pair are proud to say that 20% of the profit will go to charity. They decided on two charities to donate to, one each. Emily chose Choose Love because, as an English Teacher, she taught refugees through NGOs that Choose Love support. Andrii chose to donate to Sincere Heart, Ukraine - an emotional and psychological rehabilitation centre for children of war. As a Ukrainian, he knew it was important to help children in his home country.
“The Butterfly Dance” is the debut children’s book by local writer, E. Rose (Emily O’Reilly). The book was born in Dartford and finalised in the Canary Islands.
The book, which has been highly praised, is perfect for young children with easy-to-remember rhymes and engaging art. The story follows the fun and surprising journey of a small child and a butterfly; it reminds us that there is true beauty, even in the ordinary. As you are led through the adventure, you enter the young character’s imagination in a way that will, in turn, spark your own.
The idea for the book came while walking to Brookland’s Lake from Emily’s home in Wilmington. A very simple sweet moment happened next to St Michael’s Church and that inspired an idea for the local poet. Sadly, we cannot say what exactly happened as there is a surprise twist at the end of the story!
Emily met the illustrator, Andrii, in Gran Canaria whilst living/volunteering in Camino Art House - a hostel for artists with caves on the property. The pair became close when they shared a cave with another artist. When they weren’t working in the art house, the three spent most of the day creating art, poetry and music - bouncing off one another.
The book has an Instagram page that you can follow for regular updates: @thebutterflydancebook.
The book is now available for £6.49 on Amazon and £4.99 in person at Stephen Oliver: Studio and Gallery in Dartford. Or you can obtain at a low price by contacting Emily directly.
Please email emilyroseoreilly@outlook.com for a direct copy or search for ‘The Butterfly Dance E. Rose’ on Amazon.
training materials to help students. Eleanor Johnson started at Healthy Living Centre Dartford as a volunteer community chef in 2014, initially delivering a healthy cookery course at the Milan Day Centre then going on to running our community café, helping to support other volunteers in the kitchen, providing delicious buffets for partner organisations and cooking for the homeless throughout the pandemic lockdown and at the weekly drop in at Temple Hill Community Centre.” We were delighted that our new Mayor, Cllr Rosanna Currans was available to present awards to these two amazing champions!!
2023 marked the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when Healthy Living Centre Dartford joined thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we hope to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.
The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important.
This Volunteers’ Week Healthy Living Centre Dartford will be celebrating their 45 strong volunteer team by hosting a barbecue in their community gardens, and especially celebrating two of their longest serving volunteers with “Room to Reward” awards, a unique volunteerrecognition charity created to say “thank you” to the Hidden Heroes – inspirational volunteers who give up their time to make a difference to those who need it most. Bob Hope joined us in 2011 as a Go-Online tutor, teaching people computer skills and to make the most of digital technology and running our “Silver Surfer” computer club, developing a huge range of
Sharon Phillips, Chief Officer at Healthy Living Centre Dartford said: “Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic contribution our volunteers make. Thanks to all of them, the local community benefits from around 93 hours of volunteer time every week, from help with getting online to weekly social get togethers, arts and crafts activities, cookery and gardening clubs, exercise sessions and of course our Repair Cafés.”
Joan Woodhead, Volunteer coordinator with the Healthy Living centre said “All of our volunteers are fantastic bringing time, enthusiasm and a “want to help” attitude to whatever project that they choose to get involved in. The volunteers come from all walks of life and have different skills to offer. The Healthy Living centre has been incredibly successful with having a regular base of 45 plus volunteers with some moving on into paid jobs, or other activity and new volunteers replacing these. Without our volunteers we would not be able to deliver as much activity or projects across Dartford.
Thank you, to all our wonderful volunteers!
Would you like to learn how to teach others to cook and prepare meals or maybe you already have those skills to share with others? Would you like to share your IT skills or learn and progress in a regular IT class? Or if the outdoor life is for you, you can join the team
follow our social media pages: Facebook @healthylivingcentredartford and Instagram: @hlcdartford.
on our community allotment to grow your own vegetables, fruit and flowers.
If you would like more information on these or future activities or have any suggestions, please email us: info@hlcdartford.org.uk and
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By Ciara O’Hare
A new regular monthly feature from DART!
Dartford Animal Rescue Team, founded in 2021 by Ciara O’Hare, is a team of wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary professionals, transport volunteers and trained rescuers and fosterers. We also run a wonderful Microsanctuary called The DART House which is home to multiple disabled birds and other domestic animals. We predominantly rehabilitate and rescue wildlife but also have experience helping many domestic and farm species and if we can’t help, we’ll know another experienced team or individual to refer you to.
We are a queer, disabled, and woman run family rescue that’s proud to support and advocate for the rights of other species on this beautiful planet we share.
So what’s been happening at DART this month?
We receive multiple calls and messages a day - especially at this time of year - but here’s a highlight and overview of June 2023:
As some of you will have seen online, Ciara was (in their own words) “absolutely battered by some good swan parents” while rescuing two injured cygnets. The very not ugly ducklings were tied to each other by their legs with fishing line, with one also having a fishing hook through their foot. On top of this, they were both tied by the fishing line to the tall reeds around their nest and had clearly been struggling for some time. Exhausted and at risk of drowning, the little ones cried out for help to their worried parents.
Dad swan we believe is someone we have had to rescue before approximately a year ago: Sidney. Upon seeing Ciara arrive you could almost hear his thoughts. “The swan kidnapper has arrived again!”. If only wildlife knew we were just trying to help them! He raced over and began frantically
wing-slapping Ciara in an effort to save his babies from the same fate he’d endured a year earlier... being rescued. This made it extremely difficult to safely use the appropriate equipment to cut through fishing line as there was a risk of Sidney hitting the small sharp edges in to the babies. The risk of babies drowning also increased due to the chaos, especially when Mum swan joined in the defence efforts and wing-slapping.
After a few tense minutes, the babies were carefully cut free and the tight fishing line and painful hook were removed and wounds were cleaned on site. Neither could stand or walk and they were very very tired. After a vet check confirmed the cygnets had no broken bones, they were checked in for a few days at The DART House to recover until they were standing and walking again. At the time of writing, it has been 1 day since this rescue and the little ones have massively improved. They will be heading home to their family shortly so keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for updates on the release.
The rest of the month has been filled with hedgehogs, garden birds, pigeons, foxes, more
water birds and… litterpicks! We were joined by a lovely team of volunteers who twice helped us filling bags with rubbish at Brooklands lakes in Princes ward. We also picked up lots of fishing line and hooks, hopefully reducing the number of casualties caused by them, such as Chaos and Mischief the cygnets from Crossways, Dartford. Message us on social media if you’d like to join us at our next litterpick and to donate please go to paypal.me/dartfordanimalrescue. Thank you!
By Clair Humphries
So, with sunny weekends and school holidays looming, let’s continue our walk through the Darent Valley’s history. Since last month’s feature I’ve been stalking (sorry, following) a wonderful account on Instagram called @darent_valley, run by the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership. Their website www.darent-valley.org.uk is a great starting point for anyone interested in walking the trail, with maps and rail guides included – do take a look and give them a follow if you can. On that note, it’s time to set off and head onwards, as the industrial revolution makes its mark on our chosen route…
You don’t need to be a local to know Dartford and the surrounding area was once famed for its mills. Powder Mill Lane in Hawley is a bit of a giveaway (!) and the banks of the River Darent were lined with mills from the 18th century, employing huge numbers of workers in all sorts of jobs. 1732 saw the opening of the gunpowder mill at Hawley, with nearby paper mills, corn and flour mills and cotton mills drawing on its resources. The river was used as a way of transporting goods and its waters powered the pumps of numerous watermills. It
was also vital to the flourishing local silk industry’s dyeing process.
The grade two listed brick chimney at Horton Kirby paper mill is seventy metres high? Built in 1820, the mill once employed four hundred people.
The industrial revolution brought prosperity and opportunity to the area, with towns like Dartford and Sevenoaks expanding rapidly. Rural life, however, was still tough, as highlighted by the artist Samuel Palmer, who lived in Shoreham during this period. Palmer moved out of London due to ill-health and embraced the rustic idyll he discovered in the Darent Valley. Two of his paintings – ‘The Sleeping Shepherd’ and ‘The Shearers’ – feature local farm labourers and you can follow the Samuel Palmer trail around Shoreham by visiting www.kentdowns.org.uk. Not just a romantic, Palmer’s work was realistic in its depiction of harsh working conditions in the constantly changing landscape.
Another significant development was rail travel,
as the Victoria-Sevenoaks line opened in 1862, running right through the valley. This created two local landmarks, with one striking viaduct constructed in Horton Kirby in 1858 and another in Eynsford in 1859. The Darent itself changed physically, as flooding measures were taken to alter its course and shore up the banks. As a chalk stream, the river teemed with wildlife (including otters and water voles) as well as being home to many rare aquatic plants.
Quick Quiz:
Which 19th century novelist fished for trout in the River Darent?
a) Charles Dickens
b) Thomas Hardy
c) George Eliot
The twentieth century had its own challenges which impacted the valley – not least two world wars. Prior to that, in 1903, Joyce Green hospital was built on the Dartford marshes, primarily to care for victims of smallpox. Ambulance ships were soon put to use, ferrying patients to the hospital from London. Post-World War One, the hospital also played a crucial role in caring for those affected by the flu pandemic. Villages along the river endured numerous air raids in the Second World War, due to their proximity to London and Shoreham has gone down in history as the most bombed rural parish in the UK! For more information on wartime in the Darent Valley I recommend a trip to the Shoreham Aircraft Museum (you can see a white war memorial cross on the hillside if your route takes you there from Eynsford).
Another stunning sight – at its peak in July – are the lavender fields surrounding Castle Farm, a family-run business since 1892. Although the farm has produced a wide variety of crops over
the years, it is best known for being the largest lavender farm in the UK, at over 130 acres! Hop pickers were also a regular sight in the fields until the 1960s, with Londoners travelling down to stay in ‘hopper huts’ while working and enjoying some fresh Kentish air each summer.
With this being a coronation year, why not visit Lullingstone Castle, one of the Darent Valley’s most historic homes? Once famed for its silk farm, it provided the silk for Queen Elizabeth the Second’s coronation robes and also for parachutes during World War Two. You may be more familiar with the modern day World Garden, created by Tom Hart Dyke and open to the public on Thursdays and bank holidays (check the website www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk for details). This is another great example of how heritage in the valley has been brought up to date in an innovative, quirky way, with its showcase of rare plant species and exotica.
So, there we have it – a whistlestop tour of the Darent Valley’s heritage. There’s plenty more to explore over the summer, so I encourage you to get out and pick a trail to follow, whether on foot, by rail or car. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of writers, artists and explorers of days gone by, against a backdrop of purple lavender and Kent’s green and pleasant land. You might even spot an otter or two…
Clair Humphries is a Script Consultant for ATS Heritage.
www.clairhumphries.com
Twitter: @clairhumphries
Instagram: clair_humphries
The answer is a) Charles Dickens, who is rumoured to have stayed at The Lion pub in Farningham when fishing nearby.
by Harden Holidays
Otherworldly gastronomy, visual inspiration and an innate creative culture define the experience of Italy. If you’re looking for style, sights and a comprehensively sated appetite in a holiday, then Italy more than delivers. From glinting coasts to striking mountains, cosmopolitan cities to hideaway hillsides, Italy has it all. We can help you navigate this mesmerising country to find the best places to stay, from pristine waterfront resorts to tranquil hotels amid the countryside olive groves.
The charm of Italy is bound up in its unparalleled combination of stunning attributes. You can feel the depth of the powerful history that spans from the Roman Empire to the birth of the great artists – Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio and more – in the streets and in the surety of the Italians themselves. While the art, architecture, museums and galleries tell stories of past times, the chic modern appeal of coastal and rural communities – along with stunning natural beauty – adds a contemporary feeling to Italian holidays. When you’ve visited once, you’ll know there’s no mistaking Italy’s one-of-a-kind feeling. Many visitors to Italy are understandably drawn to the spectacular coastlines, and there’s a spot that suits everyone. Tinged with the scent of the local lemon groves, the Sorrento and Amalfi coastlines have idyllic bays, Mount Vesuvius views and easy access to the islands of Capri and Ischia – known especially for its superior spa hotels. If you want to soak up a little sophistication while exploring Italy’s west coast, this is the spot for you. If you’re a self-confessed foodie or wine connoisseur, Tuscany will provide a genuine journey of discovery. If you like to travel as a family, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily are particular favourites, while the Italian Lakes offer a distinctive feeling of romance thanks to the seductive natural beauty of this region. And if you’re a long weekend kind of person, Italy’s cities are simply perfect for short breaks.
Your holiday to Italy really can be as action-packed or as horizontally relaxed as you like. If you have itchy feet, you’ll have your choice of cultural sites to explore wherever in Italy you go, with shopping opportunities at every twist and turn too. In the countryside, hiking and biking is available in abundance, while on the coastlines, water sports reign supreme. But if your idea of a break is more relaxed, you’ve got your pick of pretty beaches, spa resorts and countryside retreats.
You really can shape Italy to be what you want it to be. Easy to explore by car or train, why pick one Italian destination? Multi-centre visits in Italy are a breeze and allow you to see many sides of the country.
One thread that weaves itself into most holidays is the desire to be wowed by the Italian cuisine. If this is you, then you won’t be disappointed. Even Italian style fast food from kiosks and low key eateries can transcend expectations. But there is also a choice of fine dining establishments to wow you at the other end of the spectrum too. Expect to find all the Italian staples melded together with fantastic innovation, infused with
farm fresh ingredients and washed down with incredible locally sourced wines.
When to talk about Italy we can’t not mention a journey onboard the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress. A once in lifetime experience like no other. The legendary train journey is a step back in time to a golden age of travel: a gracious, glamourous and elegant age. Vintage 1920s carriages, rich with craftmanship, feature private cabins of sumptuous upholstery, gleaming wood marquetry, polished brass and antique fixtures, soft towels and crisp linens. A white-gloved, blue and gold liveried cabin steward attends to your every comfort. You can step back into a bygone era of timeless luxury and romance.
You can visit Italy throughout the year, depending on what type of holiday you desire. For coastal and beach holidays, the temperatures are comfortable or warm between March and November, while the colder months are ideal for museum and gallery focused city breaks.
Create lifelong memories with Harden Holidays, contact our team today.
By Tarnya Barr
A brief history…In the 1990’s, in efforts to improve the facilities for Dartford Grammar School and the local community; a National Lottery grant was secured to build a multi-functional arts centre. Sir Mick Jagger not only lent his name to the new centre but also opened it along with HRH Duke of Kent in March 2000. The Mick Jagger Centre was born and it has been the home of Dartford Music School ever sincethat’s 23 years so far!
Dartford Music School aims to provide exciting, inspirational and affordable music tuition opportunities in various formats. We focus on value for money activities, which will most benefit the population of music enthusiasts we serve, not only in Dartford, but those travelling from Bexley and South East London too! Our belief is that music should be accessible to all, which is why we keep our prices low. Using the minimal profit we make, we can award scholarships and bursaries where needed to keep spreading wellbeing through music in our community.
Fundraising Concert- Last month, we put on our first ever fundraising concert ‘An Evening with the Teachers’. The response was amazing with over 200 tickets sold and many more cakes eaten in our bake sale! Over £2k was raised and all proceeds will go towards our instruments and bursary fund. It truly was an enchanting performance from 11 of our superb teachers who gave an effortlessly professional performance, which was enjoyed by all! Quote: “We thoroughly enjoyed the teacher’s concert last week - what
a great evening’s entertainment!”
1:1 Instrumental Music Lessons for All - We offer a wide variety of instruments to learn including singing lessons Monday to Saturday and currently employ 27 specialist tutors, teaching over 470 students. Each individual, face-toface lesson is for 30-minutes, for 31 weeks each academic year and open to all abilities and ages from five upwards.
Debare & Adil started at Red Rooster aged eight then took up to 1:1 lessons. They are now 16 playing at grade 7.
Red Rooster - Introduction to Music for Children
- Running for over 20 years now, we have an amazing group music tuition project, which is only made possible through the generous funding by Sir Mick Jagger, our patron. If you are familiar with The Rolling Stones, you can guess why the project is called Red Rooster! It is split into two programmes:
Red Rooster Sessions at the MJC- We run a two-hour group session which allows primary aged children, school years 3-6, to come and
have a fun introduction to music. They learn an instrument as well as singing and drumming with our expert tutors. Each year, Red Roosters have a Winter and Summer Concert so they can perform for family and friends. We are accepting applications now for our September 2023 start and invite you to take up this fantastic opportunity and book their place now for the low membership fee of £110!
have included themes from much loved films such as Mission Impossible, Rocky and The Avengers. It is an orchestra re-composed, reinvented and re-imagined!
Red Rooster Outreach- In our local Primary Schools, the amazing tutors are providing expert whole class music lessons, which the schools pay for at a subsidised rate. We enjoy hearing the wonderful feedback from the Heads and teachers who tell us how much the sessions aid in the well-being of their pupils, which is exactly our goal! We currently have 10 schools on our books, teaching 1,140 children every week and we hope to grow this even more. Debbie Sowter is one of our tutors working with Year 6 at the Dartford Bridge Community Primary School and they recently performed for their parents. Quote: “Wonderful! Amazing Year 6, Britain’s Got Talent, here we come!!!”
Dartford Youth Choir- Our choirs have been singing since September 2021 and are run by our multi-talented teacher, Claire Williams. These one-hour sessions are a chance for children to have fun, meet new friends, build confidence; all whilst singing popular favourites from the charts and musicals. Their talent and ‘cute-factor’ makes them a huge hit at our seasonal DMS Concerts! At past concerts they have performed favourites such as ‘A Million Dreams’, ‘I’d Do Anything’ and Sia’s ‘Titanium’.
DMS Orchestra- Launched in January 2022 and conducted by our violin teacher, Laci Olah, we have dedicated members of various ages, children and adults, all playing their instruments at grade level 3 and above. They are always the gem in the crown at each of our seasonal concerts! Past performances
Musicianship + Theory Sessions- Run on Thursday evenings with our singing teacher, Ms Quigley, who expertly coaches students for theory and aural exams.
Holiday Fun! Follow us on our socials to hear about our events! This summer we will be bringing you:
Rock Stars Course - 31st July - 4th August
Red Rooster Summer Fun Days - 1st + 2nd August
Musical Theatre Courses - 14th-16th August and 21st-23rd August. Some reviews from our Easter course: “It was engaging with fun icebreaker games and interactions, while using well known musicals to make everyone feel engaged.” “Encouraging and confidence building.” “Great, fun and amazing.”
We have lots more events planned so please follow us to find out more! Contact us if you are interested in any of our activities - email Tarnya: DMS@themickjaggercentre.com
We are easy to get to by bus, train and car, with ample parking available on site at the MJC. Follow us on Facebook Dartford Music School Instagram @dartfordmusicschool
By Jane Stevenson
Searching for a box in the Aladdin’s Cave that is the cupboard under the stairs recently, I came across my ironing bag. It hasn’t seen the light of day for months mainly because I live in jeans and T shirts.
It was stuffed to the gills, so I thought I’d better sort through it. It seemed a good idea at the time!
I must offer a defence first; I do iron occasionally as I must have ironed pillowcases. No idea why, as I don’t bother with the duvet covers or sheets. It’s one of those weird quirks we all have. However, Other Half no longer needs a shirt for work, I’m no longer required to dress smartly for the office. Any meetings I do attend are invariably very informal and easy going. The dress code doesn’t operate in my world anymore.
The ironing bag was a revelation and in a good way. Much of the stuff contained went straight into the charity bag – embarrassingly, some items were left over from when we moved here, nine months ago! I did locate a couple of favourite shirts I thought I’d got rid of, and a missing sock. The remaining items took about thirty minutes to press and put away. Years ago, things were washed, starched and ironed with sharp creases. I remember slaving over the ironing board several times a week, ensuring the children went to school in neatly pressed uniform, and Other Half went off in a crisp white shirt.
I did once share a flat with a gentleman named Paul Newman (not that one), who ironed everything including socks, pants, tea towels and even flannels! That was taking things a bit far for me. Unsurprisingly, the flat share didn’t last long.
Nowadays, with better products, technology and fabrics, we can get away with a minimum amount of ironing. A personal tweak for me is the ‘reduced ironing’ function on the washing machine. Basically, the stuff comes out dripping wet, and the sheer weight of the water pulls out the creases! The wonders of science, eh?
I went to the Old Gaffers Festival in Yarmouth recently. The marina had an area put aside for these wonderful sailing boats, often many years old. Sturdy wooden masts, gaily decorated cabins and obviously cared for, they sat alongside motor cruisers worth millions of pounds, and in my view, put these shiny super cruisers to shame.
The town has a history of this festival, and over the years it has grown. Street entertainment and markets, a Sea Shanty concert, street food and arts and crafts vied with community groups for attention. Thankfully the weather was good, and it proved a very enjoyable couple of days.
Earlies in June the Isle of Wight Music Festival took place. A quick check of artists that appeared showed a wide range of styles. Robbie Williams, George Ezra and Niall Horan. Pulp, Manic Street Preachers and Echo and the Bunnymen are some acts that appeared. However, there are several tribute bands on the list as well. Oh for the days when we could have Fleetwood Mac or the Foo Fighters for real, rather than the tributes. It pains me to say, but festivals of today don’t quite cut it for me. I was lucky enough to see The Who, Deep Purple and others in their full testosterone glory at festivals. Even third and fourth billed were crowd pullers. Times have changed, as has the music industry. I know some people from Dartford travelled over for the event. I hope you enjoyed yourselves my friends,
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by Chris Palmer
Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine.
As summer is well and truly upon us, with the sunshine beating down and temperatures reaching the upper 20°c’s, some of us are on our holidays... or at least getting ready to travel somewhere. Meanwhile, work behind the scenes continues at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park, as we prepare for the new season.
Head Groundsman, Jay Berkhauer, hasn’t stopped working, as he’s been replacing and preparing the pitch for another long campaign. And, I can honestly say that the pitch is already looking amazing, despite the hot temperatures its had to endure recently.
Meanwhile, Alan Dowson and the board have been extremely busy rebuilding the First Team squad, with many players being signed for the season. At the time of writing, the number of players has reached seventeen, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Young goalkeeper Tom Wray has re-signed for another year, and he’s joined by experienced former Concord Rangers shot-stopper Mitch Beeney. The duo have been joined by Maxwell Statham, Alex Wall, Luke Allen, and Luke Coulson. The quartet join those I mentioned in last months’ article in remaining at the club for another year.
Regular readers will remember that I wrote about striker Harvey Bradbury signing for the Darts last month. He has been joined by former Concord Rangers striker Lewis Manor, versatile defender/midfielder Paul Rooney (from Havant
Men’s team photos by Carol White-Griffiths, Women’s` team photos: Taur Everard
& Waterlooville), and midfielder Tyrell MillerRodney (also from Havant & Waterlooville).
And finally, young Academy players George Whitefield, Jayden Boulton, and Ollie Box have signed their first ever First Team contracts! The duo provide further proof of the talent pool within the Dartford Academy, as well as Alan Dowson’s promise that, “If they’re good enough, they’ll definitely get an opportunity...”.
With a nice blend of youth and experience, the season ahead promises to be an interesting one indeed. However, the work certainly isn’t finished, as more additions to the squad are expected in the coming weeks.
As far as pre-season preparations are concerned, July is looking like its going to be a busy period both off and on the pitch. EFL outfits Charlton and Gillingham visit Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park (8th and 22nd of July respectively), while the Darts travel to Dunston FC (14th), Margate (18th), Bromley (25th), Phoenix Sports (28th), Billericay Town (29th), and Leatherhead FC on the 1st of August. Please check the club’s official website and social media platforms for further information and kick-off times.
All has gone quiet for Dartford FC Women, as their season has come to a close. However, Connor Dymond has made one addition to his coaching staff, with the promotion of coach Dan Edwards from the DFC Women’s Development Team. The experienced coach/manager joins Connor and Martin McCarthy’s coaching staff and had this to say upon his appointment... “After being involved with the Development Team for the second half of last season, I am really honoured for the opportunity given to me by Connor and Martin. I am also extremely excited to see what this season will bring for the Development Team and the club. I also want to thank Rhys for his help and support since I came in to the team.” Meanwhile, if you’re interested in becoming a footballer, Dartford FC Women are holding an open training session for DFC Women and the Development Team on the 5th of July. The session will take place on the 3G pitch, if interested, please see the Dartford FC Women’s social media platforms for more information.
And finally, the Dartford FC Community Funday which was held on Sunday the 11th of June was a great success! So, thank you to everyone who braved the excessive heat and attended the event.
As always, thank you for your continued support and thanks for reading.
Photos Jay Berkhauer
By Christina Uppenkamp - Home Instead
loose, lightweight, light coloured and breathable, such as a white linen or cotton shirt.
4. Cool down – take cool showers and baths when possible. If you’re out and about, use a cotton hankie soaked in cool water and place it on the back of your neck and on your wrists.
Welcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Christina Uppenkamp, Director of Home Instead Dartford.
With the temperatures rising now, it is important to recognise that older people’s bodies are often unable to adjust to sudden changes in temperature, which makes them more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors have warned that hot nights are particularly dangerous for elderly persons as it is more difficult for their bodies to recover from heat stress caused during hot days.
With this in mind, here are a few tips on how to stay safe during the warm summer months:
1. Avoid the hottest times of the day (between 11am – 3pm). If you do need to venture out, make sure you aren’t outside for long periods of time and find shady spots when you can.
2. Keep hydrated – even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to drink plenty of water or fruit juice to replace fluids lost during sweating. Avoid caffeine or alcohol which increase dehydration.
3. Think lightweight – choose clothing which is
5. Cover up – in addition to wearing cooler clothing it’s also important to remember a hat. No matter whether it’s a cotton baseball cap or a straw boater, headwear will help to keep your face in the shade.
6. Pick the perfect spot – seek out the coolest areas of your home during warmer weather. Keep curtains and blinds closed to prevent sun heating up rooms, especially your bedroom.
7. If safe, leave windows open during the night.
8. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items.
If you would like to speak to someone at Home Instead, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We also welcome any suggestions for future topics from you all. All you have to do is write to me at c.uppenkamp@dartford.homeinstead.co.uk or by post to Home Instead, St Fidelis House, St Fidelis Road, Erith, DA8 1AT.
By Dhiren Ganesh
In this month’s article we look at new electric vehicles including something quite quirky…
2024
is the brand’s new flagship model, combining chunky SUV styling with a sleek, coupé-like roofline and plug-in hybrid power. The distinctive front grille looks like it’s backlit in bright blue and its appearance changes depending on the angle it’s viewed from. All versions come with adaptive headlights that shape their beams around cars ahead, giving you maximum visibility at night without the threat of dazzling other drivers. At launch, the sole engine option will be a hybrid, combining a 1.2-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and have a combined power output of 197bhp. It will be able to run solely on electric power. Plugin Hybrid will be available from 2024. The interior features a 12.3in digital instrument cluster and a 12.0in infotainment touchscreen in a portrait format. The boot is on large size due to the car so can fit in lots of luggage. Available from Spring 2024 prices may start from £40,000.
electric car. EX30 can be specified with a single 268bhp motor that powers the rear wheels, or with two motors for a total of 422bhp and fourwheel drive. With the 64kWhbattery version it can manage 298 miles on one charge. Design cues includes headlights that resemble a hammer when illuminated and C-shaped tail-lights. The minimalist interior manages to feel very Volvo, while putting a fresh spin on the material, with a 12.3in portrait-orientated touchscreen replacing the 9.0in one. Other luxuries fitted to every EX30 include dual-zone climate control, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, a wireless phone charging pad and a rear-view camera. The EX30 costs from £33,795 for the 49kWh version, while the rearwheel-drive 64kWh model starts at £38,545 when available from early 2024.
2024 Fiat Topolino electric car – New Fiat Topolino electric quadricycle can be driven from the age of 16, and should offer up to 46 miles of range. This car is underpinned by the current Citroen Ami. Technically classed as quadricycles, the Ami and Topolino are limited to 28mph, and that means 16-year-old AM (50cc moped) licence holders can drive them; you don’t need a full car licence. Fiat is yet to confirm details about the Topolino’s battery or electric motor, but it’s likely to share the Ami’s 8bhp electric motor and 5.5kWh battery and match the Ami’s 46 miles. The Topolino, though, could fit in with an altogether breezier lifestyle. Fresh air fanatics might appreciate its minimalist bodywork, with ropes in place of doors and a roll-back canvas roof. Prices are expected to start from around £9,000 when it goes on sale in 2024.
Joe Pasquale
The New Normal: 40 Years Of Cack The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
TUE 22 AUGUST 2023
Win a pair of tickets to see Joe Pasquale at The Orchard Theatre.
Joe Pasquale has been showing off on stage for 40 years and he’s bringing his favourite things for another airing to show that things have never been normal… If you have ever wondered why chicken breasts don’t have nipples? Then this is the show for you…
Joe will be supported by comedian Lee Carroll.
What reality show did Joe win in 2004?
A: I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.
B: Dancing on Ice
C: Celebrity Big Brother
D: Strickly Come Dancing
Email competition@dartfordliving.com by the 20th July to be in with a chance of winning.
RULES: 1. The winner(s) will be the first correct entry/entries drawn. 2. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 3. Prizes are as stated and no cash in lieu or an alternative prize will be offered.. 4. Winners will be notified by telephone or email by the Orchard, within 5 working days of the competition being drawn. 5. Employees and the immediate families of participating companies are ineligible to enter. 6. Closing date for the competition is stated above. 7.. All entries will be added to the Dartford Living mailing list to receive a copy of the magazine by email once a month. Please state when you enter the competition if you don’t wish to be added
by Bhavesh Ganesh
Manchester City won their first-ever Champions League and a treble after a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in June. Midfielder Rodri scored from 15 yards out to secure a victory in Istanbul - capping an unforgettable season for Pep Guardiola’s side.
They outpaced closest rivals Arsenal to comfortably win the Premier League, and beat fierce rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. It means City have become the first English Premier League club since United to win a treble of all three major trophies in one season.
City’s detractors will continue to point to the number 115, representing the amount of Premier League charges against them for breaches of financial rules - which the club strenuously denies.
Sporting events in July include:
1-23 July: Cycling - Tour de France
3-16 July: Tennis - Wimbledon
8-17 July: Para-athletics - World Championships, Paris
9 July: Formula 1 - British Grand Prix, Silverstone
20-23 July: Golf - Open Championship, Royal Liverpool, Hoylake
20 July-20 August: Football - Women’s World Cup, Australia and New Zealand
23-30 July: Cycling - Tour de France Femmes
For City fans, though, the only figures that matter are the remarkable ones resulting from their team’s brilliance on the pitch and which illustrate what has been the most successful season in their history.
By Maria KingsfordLocal 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 .
are some of the photos of their latest painted rocks.
HereBy Dr Julie Taylor
Hay fever, or seasonal rhinitis, is a common allergy that affects people from February to September. It affects 10-15% of children and as many as 1 in 4 adults. Grass pollen is the most common cause of hay fever, affecting people from May to June. Tree pollen (February to June), especially birch pollen, and weed pollen (June to September) can also cause hay fever symptoms.
The symptoms of hay fever include:
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose/palate/throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Red, itchy or watery eyes
• Post nasal drip
• Cough
• Sinus inflammation
• Wheezing, tight chest, breathlessness or worsening of asthma symptoms
These are caused by the body responding to harmless allergens (eg pollen), releasing mediators such as histamine in the nose, eyes or airways. These mediators cause the symptoms described above. It is the same process for other airborne allergens, such as dust mites, moulds and animal dander.
For most allergies, the history of when and where symptoms occur helps us to identify the cause. The first step would be to keep a diary. If the cause is not clear then tests blood tests for specific allergen IgE or skin prick tests can be done. We still need to have an idea of the cause as there are many thousands of allergens that can be tested for.
Isn’t
Hay fever has a huge impact on quality of life. It impacts on sleep and affects the ability to concentrate and carry out tasks. If you are a teenager, May-June is the time of important exams and hay fever has been shown to affect exam performance. It can also trigger asthma symptoms – if nasal symptoms in particular are controlled, people find their asthma is often better.
The first step in managing any allergy is to avoid the allergen that causes it. The following steps can help to reduce exposure:
• The main route of entry is through the nose, so using an allergy balm or Vaseline around the nostrils and/or a saline nasal rinse can help
• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high
• When indoors, keep the doors and windows shut, especially in the early morning and evenings
• If you must go outside, wear wrap-around sunglasses
• When pollen count is high, shower and wash your hair when you arrive home
• Avoid drying clothes and bed linen outside when the pollen count is high
• Pets can carry pollen on their fur, wipe them down with a damp microfibre cloth if they have been outside
• Limit time in rural areas, escape to the coast
Medications that can help
• For some people, who have mild symptoms of sneezing or an itchy runny nose, antihistamines are enough. It is recommended that you use one that you take once daily and doesn’t make you drowsy.
• If symptoms are more severe or you have eye or nasal symptoms despite taking an antihistamine, a nasal steroid spray can help.
• Eye symptom are often controlled with antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, but you can also buy eye drops from a pharmacy.
• Rarely, some people may need oral steroid tablets. The steroid injection, Kenalog, is not licensed or recommended for treatment of hay fever as the risk of side effects outweigh the benefits.
• If severe, you may be referred to an allergy specialist for consideration of immunotherapy.
Your local pharmacist can advise on all of the above treatments. You should start using treatment around 2 weeks before the ‘season’ starts and take them every day. Stopping and starting when you have symptoms is less effective.
See your GP if your symptoms aren’t controlled with the treatments above.
Allergyuk.org is a useful website for information on all types of allergies.
My family and I live in Swaisland Road Dartford and our 11 year old daughter Stella is cutting 23 inches of her hair off for charity. Her hair will be donated to The Little Princess trust and all funds will go to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity that grants wishes for seriously ill children.
Stella has a genetic disorder called NF1 .This affects around 1 in 2,500 people, with around 25,000 people in the UK currently diagnosed with the condition. NF1 is one of the most common neuro genetic conditions that can cause people to experience, amongst other things, nerve tumours to grow, severe growths or facial disorders, lumps and tumours to form, multiple birthmarks and learning difficulties.
Rays of Sunshine is a national charity that brightens the lives of seriously unwell young people by granting wishes and supplying equipment like wheelchairs, accessible swings in children;s own gardens and providing ongoing support in hospitals and within the community.
If you’d like to support Stella, visit www.justgiving.com/ page/stelladance
Perfect for those Summer Picnics and Garden Parties. Add seasonal berries to the mix for a delicious variation. Or swap the chocolate chips with chopped up Chocolate bars, Mini Marshmallows or Nuts for more options.
You will need:
200g Unsalted Butter
200g Dark Chocolate
3 Eggs
150g Caster Sugar
100g Self Raising Flour
60g Cocoa Powder
100g Chocolate Chips or your favourite chocolate bar!
What to do:
Melt the butter and dark chocolate in a heat proof bowl, sat over a pan of simmering water. It’s important that the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Once melted, put aside to cool slightly.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until fluffy.
Slowly add the melted chocolate/butter mix and stir until combined.
Sieve in the flour and cocoa powder and fold in gently.
Add the chocolate chips.
Pour into a lined 8” square tin, level the mixture, and bake at 160° Fan for approx. 20-25 mins.
It may take a few attempts to find the ideal baking time as brownies are perfect when they are still a bit gooey in the centre.
Leave to cool then cut into 16 squares. Great for freezing.
Enjoy! xxx
Sneak
Most babies learn best when they see hear touch, taste and smell Our multi-award winning classes will introduce you and your baby (or babies) to a world of sensory delights, where you can relax, spend quality time with each other and enjoy meeting other new parents
Specifically designed from birth to aid your child s development, the programme is packed with an incredible variety of sound, smells, sights, textures, music, dance, signing and massage - and you ll never experience the same class twice!
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Healthy Living Walk - Mondays 10.00am (Contact the One You Team)
Dartford Heath Walk - Tuesdays 10.00am (Upper Heath Lane)
Darenth Country Park - Tuesdays 10.30am (Darenth Valley Hospital)
Swanscombe Castle Hill - Tuesdays 12.30pm
Greenhithe - Wednesdays 10.30am (St Mary’s Church)
Stone Pavilion Walk - Thursdays 9:30am
Central Park - Thursdays 11.30am (War Memorial)
Swanscombe - Fridays 10.00am
Swanscombe Castle Hill - Sundays 9.00am (Castle Hill Community Centre)
• Health walks are free and led by trained volunteer walk leaders
• Short social walks that last around an hour
• No need to book - just turn up
• Any age and ability welcome
For more details including starting points please contact the One You Kent team call 01322 343067 or email oneyou@dartford.gov.uk
• Great for people getting little or no exercise, recovering or suffering from an illness or lacking in confidence
• Dress for the weather including comfortable footwear
