BOOST FOR BUSINESSES AS DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL ACQUIRES THE NUCLEUS INNOVATION CENTRE

The future of dozens of start-ups and growing companies has been secured after Dartford Borough Council finalised purchasing a business and innovation centre at the heart of The Bridge development.

Previously a joint venture between Dartford Borough Council and ProLogis Developments Ltd, The Nucleus was designed to house 65 companies, with 30,000 sq ft of office space. In 2021 the Council began working to safeguard The Nucleus business and innovation centre, after its partnership to develop The Bridge with Prologis came to a natural end.

The sale to Dartford Borough Council was finalised in December 2022 and work can now begin to help support the centre to grow.

Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said: “When our successful partnership with Prologis came to an end in 2021, we saw the need to protect The Nucleus as a business hub moving forward.

“This is a responsible investment from Dartford Borough Council’s point of view, and it’s also exciting news for local businesses, who can receive support and brilliant office spaces at a great strategic location.

“Our next step is to work with lead operator Oxford Innovation Space, and the businesses in The Nucleus to make sure we’re offering them the best service.”

Jo Stevens, MD, Oxford Innovation Space commented “We are delighted to be collaborating with Dartford Borough Council on fostering a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment in the region. The Nucleus continues to provide a unique space for startups and businesses to connect, collaborate and grow, driving economic development and job creation in the area.

“We look forward to being able to support more innovative new businesses in the centre, encouraging them to grow and thrive.”

The Nucleus was built as part of the 264acre development of The Bridge. Previously a derelict overgrown site, The Bridge is now a thriving Dartford neighbourhood, with hotels, restaurants, homes and community facilities, making it a vital contributor to Dartford’s economy.

Any business interested in renting office space at The Nucleus can contact KStevens@oxin. co.uk.

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENT’S DIVERSITY DESIGN SHOWCASED AT DARENT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Level 4 Graphic Design & Illustration student, from North Kent College, Louis Packham designed a Diversity banner which is featured at local Hospital, Darent Valley.

The banner was designed for the NHS Trust EDI (Equality , Diversion and Inclusion) Programme, and it has since been decided to make it the master brand for the Trust’s entire EDI Programme.

Louis won the brief back in 2020 when studying his Level 3 course at North Kent College, but due to Covid-19 regulations the banner reveal was postponed until January 2023. He created the design to represent parts of society that are often not represented.

With the help from tutors, Louis was able to convey all the points the hospital wanted into one fantastic design. However, he gained three years of experience and expertise before the final unveiling so decided to update the design to ensure it was perfect.

Louis was joined by tutors from North Kent College, family members and staff members from the hospital. Everyone was impressed by the design and delighted to have a banner which represents inclusivity at the hospital.

Louis said, “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I know the feeling of not being represented in the media, so I wanted to represent all parts of society as much as I could for the EDI programme and I’m thrilled to see the banner finally be used, it is a great opportunity for me as graphic designer beginning my career. Thanks to North Kent College and Darent Valley. ”

Oh Vienna

By Steve Paul

Oh, Vienna? An evening of Strauss Waltzes and more. Dartford Symphony Orchestra at the Mick Jagger Centre.

Dartford is going to be transformed into Vienna for one evening on the 4th March. Dartford Symphony Orchestra will be bringing the sparkling music of the Viennese ballroom to the Mick Jagger Centre, with Strauss Waltzes, Polkas and Marches. We are delighted to be joined by our former Musical Director, David Grubb, as conductor, who will bring his own inimitable style to the concert.

There will be all the favourites including the famous ‘Die Fledermaus Overture – which translates as ‘The Flying Mouse’, a bat to you and me – and The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz. There’ll be hand clapping and feet stamping with the raucous Radetzky March, and plenty of chattering with The Tritsch-Tratsch Polka; perhaps the Tiktok of its day?

The Dartford Symphony Orchestra, known to friends as the ‘DSO’, has been making a contribution to the musical life of the borough for many years and we’ve been pleased to have made the Mick Jagger Centre our home since the start of the millennium. If you’ve not been to the Mick Jagger

Centre before, you’ll find it in Shepherds Lane in Dartford. Parking is easy and you can get a coffee, or something stronger, at the licensed bar. Big concerts are held in the Big Hall and smaller concerts are held in the Small Hall. That seems obvious, but we have a variety of programmes throughout the year and when we are playing with fewer musicians, the more intimate setting of the Small Hall seems to suit.

The DSO is a charity and we are entirely selffunding and we no longer receive any grants, although we are grateful to a number of kind private donors and we have a vibrant ‘friends’ association. We mostly play mainstream popular classical works but do sometimes play outside of the box. It’s not all Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart, we also play popular music from West End musicals and films.

Our mid-summer concert is on the 17th June and we are calling it Summer Notes; lots of them. We’ll be giving the Mick Jagger Centre Première of the Prokofiev Symphony No 1 together with Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony and Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture. That’s going to be a rare treat with guest conductor Ben Knowles taking the DSO through its paces.

If you’re a player, we would love to have you come along and try us out – we’re very friendly and we rehearse on Wednesday evenings at the Mick Jagger Centre. If you are a string player, Grade 8 level or above, you will be very welcome and our leader, Sylvia Seaton, will be there to make sure you settle in and find your way around.

If you would like to come along to play – contact Steve Paul on 07707 680814 or histevepaul@gmail. com. Or to grab your audience tickets visit www. dartfordsymphonyorchestra.com or contact Phil on our Ticket Line on 01322 836650 .

PARISH PAUPERS AND MYSTERY AT THE MANOR: WALK THROUGH HISTORY IN HAWLEY AND SUTTON AT HONE

By Clair Humphries

Originally part of the Manor of Dartford, Hawley and Sutton At Hone were once two very distinct hamlets, each with a fascinating history. Their residents have also been a colourful bunch, including lords of the manor, merchants and evacuees – so let’s walk through their history and see how this corner of Dartford has developed over the years…

Did You Know?

The original name for Hawley was ‘Hagelei’ and Sutton was listed as ‘Suthuna’ and ‘Sudtone’ in the Doomsday Book (supposedly meaning South of Dartford).

Records from 1086 also include ‘At Hone’ with reference to it being low in a valley and on stony ground. Hawley and Sutton At Hone were always closely linked and there is evidence of them becoming one ‘ward’ from the twelfth century. By 1108 much of the area was owned by Henry de Port, who was Sheriff of Southampton at the time. The de Ports were big in Hampshire (they owned most of it) but also had financial ties with parts of Kent, including Rochester Cathedral.

National Trust members will already know St John’s Jerusalem, the chapel and garden now run by the charity and open to the public on specified days (check the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk for details). The 13th century chapel was established by the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John, a Catholic military order. Medieval sections were built around 1234, carved from oak trees cut down in Tonbridge Forest. The chapel is surrounded by a moat leading from the River Darent.

Quick Quiz: a) Kentish Pippin b) Cox c) Braeburn

Which apple was first grown in Kent in the St John’s Jerusalem garden?

By 1388 the chapel became a private residence and its gardens were planted as orchards from the 1600s, producing local cider and perry. Notable tenants included the Kent county historian Edward Hasted and Abraham Hill, a City merchant and treasurer of the Royal Society. The grounds were later remodelled to contain a walled garden and vegetable garden, as well as the planting of willow and sweet chestnut trees. Sadly, many of its mature trees were damaged in the 1987 storm and restoring the garden is still a work

in progress.

Mystery at the Manor!

Meanwhile, Hawley had its own ‘big house’ further along Hawley Road, in what is now the office complex of Hawley Manor. The building is Tudor in parts, with various later additions which reflect its various owners’ changing fortunes – and often dramatic events. The house is grade two listed, along with the early seventeenth century dovecote in the grounds, which is a registered scheduled monument. In 1919 a mystery fire broke out in the property, killing its owner Mr Temple Johnson. Newspaper reports claim that, although Mr Johnson’s arms and legs were burnt, his clothes showed no fire damage! Theories were put forward that it was a pre-planned, arson attack, or that he had been killed before fire broke out. The mystery was never really solved, but his wife, Mrs Temple Johnson, remained at the house, having much of it rebuilt in an Arts and Crafts style.

Far less grand are the Wrott charity almshouses, located on the main road in Sutton At Hone. Dating back to the sixteenth century, the red brick and tile buildings are grade two listed and were provided for the poor of the parish by Katherine Wrott. The Wrott coat of arms is still intact, along with an inscription to Katherine. Locals have always been a charitable bunch, as refuge was later provided during World War Two in both Hawley and Sutton At Hone for London evacuees. The fascinating local blog www.suttonathonehistory. co.uk. records that numerous local residents were Billeting Officers and ‘Official Helpers,’ charged with accommodating and overseeing the new influx of children. Apparently little Hill Cottage in Devon Road had twenty eight evacuees staying at one point!

So, far from being two unassuming, quiet valley hamlets Hawley and Sutton At Hone have been home to both the grandest of residents and the poor and misplaced. Remember that, next time you head up Hawley Road – and see if you can solve the mystery of Hawley Manor…

Clair Humphries is a Script Consultant for ATS Heritage and Content Partner for Ordnance Survey.

Twitter: @clairhumphries

Instagram: clair_humphries

The answer is a) Kentish Pippin.

WHY DENTAL CHECK-UPS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR ORAL HEALTH

By Dartford Road Dental Centre

increase the risk that gum disease will progress from mild to severe. For further information please visit to-diabetes/complications/gum-diseasehttps://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-

How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

Both adults and children should visit the dentist regularly. After your initial dental check-up, your dentist will recommend a date for your next visit. Patients with good oral health and a low sugar diet, who are at less risk of decay will need to attend only once every 6 - 12 months, but those with higher dental needs will need check-ups more regularly.

Generally, the lower your risk of dental problems, the longer you can wait before your next dental check-up.

At Dartford Road Dental Centre your wellbeing and the health of your teeth and gums are important to us. The dental maintenance you do at home, brushing, flossing, and regular interdental brushing play a great role in the maintenance of your oral hygiene, however, there are areas of your mouth only a dentist can check, hence the importance of regular checkups.

I am terrified of the dentist, is this normal? You are not alone; many residents of Dartford and Kent find visiting the dentist a daunting experience. In fact, one in seven British adults have severe dental anxiety thus leading to a quarter of adults admitting to avoiding dental visits because of anxiety, and a further 18% because they are afraid of getting bad news at their check-ups.

Regular dental check-ups will dramatically decrease the potential for all oral health problems to become serious.

Can poor oral health affect my overall wellbeing?

A whiter, brighter smile makes us feels good and has a great impact on how we feel about our mental health. Staining caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and other products can have a huge impact on how we feel about our smiles. Three-quarters of British adults don’t feel confident showing their teeth when they smile for a photo and a third of these say it’s because of their discoloured and stained teeth.

It is also understood that poor oral hygiene is a risk factor for other diseases, such as heart disease and type two diabetes. Untreated gum disease can advance in stages from inflamed gums to tooth loss. High levels of blood glucose

When should I bring my child to their first check-up?

Your child should have their first check-up when their first milk teeth appear. This is so they become familiar with the dental practice and the strange smells and surroundings of the dental surgery.

Sitting on the ‘big chair’ and opening their mouth for the dentist to take a look, is useful practice for the future. We also encourage younger children to attend with their siblings for their dental check-ups to get used to the environment.

We currently have a special offer for new patients, offering £15 off the cost of your first Dental Examination, so you pay £60 instead of the usual price of £75.

To book, please call 01322 223 927