Dartford Living May 2021 by Dartford Living

INSIDE THE MAGAZINE BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME

NATURAL IMMUNE SUPPORT

YAMATO DAMASHII

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MAY 2021 - ISSUE 179 - FREE

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VCD Sports Club(morning) Crayford Sue 07507 599691 VCD Sports Club(evening) Crayford Shelley 07979 691619 TUESDAYS St.Anselms Parish Centre Dartford Gillian 07957 135737 Greenhithe British Legion Greenhithe Paula 07891 424401 St.John The Evangelist Church Bexley Adam 07730 405313

The Howard Venue Hextable Kelly 07904 759587 New Consultant

Danson Youth Centre Bexleyheath Shelley 07979 691619 FRIDAYS The Brent Old Boys Dartford Jo 07800 797030

VCD Sports Club(mornings) Crayford Liz 07900 213548

SATURDAYS Oakfield Primary Academy Dartford Sarah 07739 027161

VCD Sports Club(evenings) Crayford Jo 07920 851475

The Christchurch Centre Swanley Paula 07891 42440

THURSDAYS Greenhithe British Legion Greenhithe Paula 07891 424401

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BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY

CONTENTS

5 Senior Snippet

Dear Readers,

6 Masterchef Winner Thomas Frake creates Gourmet versions of your favourite fictional food

Welcome to the May magazine.

10 Dartford Giving

We live in strange 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 no time 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 local roads 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 and you will join 7,000 others who receive a copy of the magazine by email once a month. Until next time, stay safe

12 Doodle Dozen 14 Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Blondies 16 Brighten up your home 20 Natural Immune Support 22 Yoga, Meditation and Mental Health awareness week 24 Travel Inspiration- with Harden Holidays 28 Fitness May 35 Yamaha Damashii 36 Take care of your mind this May 38 Life under the Stairs 40. Hospice helps bereaved tread the path through grief 44 Dartford painted rocks 47 Car News 48 Dartford Town Against Crime steps up its fight against repeat offenders 50 Where to go locally 52 Useful numbers 56 Business directory

DARTFORD LIVING MAGAZINE PRINTED BY:

Vijay - Editor, Dartford Living (and the rest of the fantastic Dartford Living volunteer team) ONLINE

Front cover photo by Janice Blake

www.dartfordliving.com www.dartfordlivinglive.co.uk www.dartfordbusinessdirectory.co.uk

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SENIOR SNIPPETS By Christina Uppenkamp Home Instead Senior Care

Welcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind.

Here are some tips:

• Take it steady: Don’t rush to do things out of your comfort zone. Seeing family and friends is what many of us have craved in recent months. Simply going on a walk with nearest How to feel at ease as we come out and dearest is a natural place to start, of lockdown and then you can decide what you feel comfortable doing next. As we emerge from lockdown for what will hopefully be the last time, • Find a select group of people: the key concern for many isn’t when It’s normal to feel anxious about the pubs reopen or when foreign going back to a life of social contact travel can resume; it’s simply how having spent so long fearful that this they can get back to everyday could put you at risk, even having activities in a safe and controlled had a vaccine. If you begin by only manner, particularly for the elderly socialising with a select group of and those who have been shielding. family and friends, and keeping the group small, you will minimise Home Instead, a local home care the risk considerably yet enjoy company, is joyful that restrictions the company you deserve. Home are lifting in the Spring, a time of Instead’s CAREGivers will continue to hope and new beginnings. And with keep you safe and well in your own the weather improving, they’re homes, even as restrictions ease. hoping many of their elderly clients can use the easing of restrictions to • Combine fun and safety: For some leave their homes and enjoy the of us, the best thing about lockdown outdoors this spring. easing is being able to visit our favourite National Trust site again. Most of Home Instead’s clients For others, it’s about going for a have been shielding throughout coffee with a friend. We can go back the winter months to protect to doing these things and staying themselves from the virus. But safe by making the most of the safety as businesses open up again, and measures available to us. Whether most of our older population has it’s a bookings system that prevents received the first (or even second) the venue getting overcrowded, or vaccination, it’s only natural to want a timeslot dedicated to the elderly, to get back out and live life to the businesses have done a great job full once more. adapting to keep customers like you safe. There are many ways of reducing your anxiety as you gradually move • Record your progress: On a regular back to normality. basis, try and challenge yourself and keep a mental note of things you’ve

achieved, enjoyed or surprised yourself doing. Only by rewarding yourself will you build confidence. • Don’t forget your face covering: The government has indicated that we won’t be getting rid of our masks in public places any time soon. And that’s a good thing as wearing one will help to protect you and others as we start mixing again. So don’t forget to take your mask out with you! • Keep perspective: Thanks to the vaccination programme, the UK is in a much better position compared to last year. Nobody knows what lies ahead, but there is a lot to be positive about. Try and appreciate the good things that happen and enjoy having more freedom to live the life you’ve always known. Home Instead has recently been named as a 5* employer, after receiving glowing feedback from an independent client and CAREGiver satisfaction survey. The survey showed that 100% of clients said that Home Instead kept them safe throughout the pandemic. The company has also been named as a finalist in the prestigious national Home Care Awards, which recognise innovation and excellence in the social care sector. They are shortlisted in the ‘Best start-up home care services or franchise’ award, testament to the quality home care services they provide to seniors across the local area. Home Instead’s ser vices are available across Abbey Wood, Belvedere, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Dartford, Swanscombe and West Gravesend. To find out more about how Home Instead’s home care services could help you or a loved one, please call 01322923750 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/dartford/

MASTERCHEF WINNER THOMAS FRAKE CREATES GOURMET VERSIONS OF YOUR FAVOURITE FICTIONAL FOODS The recipes are inspired by:

Do you ever find yourself watching your favourite film or TV show, and wish that you could taste one of the dishes they’re enjoying?

· The Friend’s “Shepherd’s Pie” Trifle (don’t worry, there’s no actual beef and mash) · The iconic Krabby Patty from SpongeBob SquarePants · The chocolate cake made famous by Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda Get closer to the action of your favourite TV shows and films by making these three delicious recipes!

The F.R.I.E.N.D.S “Shepherd’s Pie” Trifle Serves 4 Ingredients - 2 large chocolate brownies or chocolate muffins - 25ml cold espresso coffee - 200ml double cream - 200ml whole milk - 2 eggs - 50g icing sugar - 50g dark chocolate - 400ml double cream - 100g icing sugar - 1 tbsp. vanilla paste Following on from the popular Fictional Foods competition ran by Wren Kitchens in February, The UK’s No.1 kitchen retailer has now teamed up with

MasterChef 2020 Champion, Thomas Frake, to create gourmet fictional food recipes that you can make at home.

This dessert is of course inspired by the iconic dish made by Rachel in Friends, when she makes half a shepherd’s pie and half a trifle.

Unlike the Friends gang, you don’t have to worry about beef and mash in this take, but can instead enjoy the creamy flavours paired cleverly with sharp coffee and delicious brownie. The Krabby Patty Serves 4 Ingredients - 500g skinned salmon fillets - 300g raw peeled prawns - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard - 2 tbsp fresh dill - Salt, to taste - Pepper, to taste - 1 tbsp flour - 1 tbsp vegetable oil - 4 tbsp mayonnaise - 2 tbsp tomato ketchup - 2 tbsp Sriracha chilli sauce - 4 large gherkins

- 1 white onion - 100g flour (plus extra for dusting) - Sparkling Water - 1 tsp smoked paprika - Salt to taste - Pepper to taste - Vegetable Oil, for frying - 2 little gem lettuce - 2 lemons - 4 brioche burger buns - 25g salted butter Warning: don’t share this recipe with Plankton, because he’ll steal it! Inspired by The Krusty Crab’s Special, this tantalising burger will submerge you in an ocean of wonderful flavours, from the undeniably delectable salmon and prawn to the delicious special sauce.

You can find more information about Wren Kitchens partnership with Dartfrd’s Thomas Frake and the Fictional Food recipes here. https://www.wrenkitchens.com/blog/recreate-your-favourite-fictional-foodswith-thomas-frake-gourmet-style.

St George’s Church Hall DA11 0DJ

DARTFORD GIVING

By Kate Hargreaves

If making regular visits to a vulnerable child as an Independent Visitor (as I wrote about last month) is too much of a time commitment for you right now, then this month I have a more relaxed way that you can support a child in need – through writing to a sick child through the Post Pals charity. Post Pal “What is it?” This is a zerocommitment role that can take just five minutes of your time to bring a smile to a sick child’s face. Essentially, you just find a child on the Post Pals website and send them some post to brighten their day. “Would I enjoy it?”

“This sounds great, how do I get involved?”

knowing how happy the recipient of your post will be. Go to www.postpals.co.uk/find-pals/ to look at the children’s profiles, “How much time do I need for it?” where you can learn about their interests and key information such This doesn’t require any ongoing as whether they can read. Then all commitment, and it’s entirely up you need to do is prepare your post, to you what you send to your Post send it off, and sit back knowing that Pal – sending a funny postcard you’ve done your bit to make the could take two minutes or knitting world a brighter place for a sick child. a woolly hat could take two days. If you love the sound of this role and If you have any questions about Post do want a regular commitment, you Pals or other roles I’ve written about, can become an Assigned Writer, by feel free to email emailing info@postpals.co.uk, or kate@dartfordliving.com. alternatively you can repeatedly write to the same child without having a As always, happy volunteering! formal commitment in place.

There are so many ways to approach this that I’m sure anyone of any age or background could enjoy it. You could write a letter about how your football team is getting on or share a joke or funny poem, or you could get more creative and draw a picture “Anything else I need to know?” of your pet or make a card or even a friendship bracelet… Preparing something to send to a Post Pal could be a great family activity or a great way to keep your hands and mind busy while watching Friends for the hundredth time, and can be enjoyed by anyone. “What would I get out of it?” Being a Post Pal doesn’t require a lot of effort, and only costs the price of a postage stamp, but it will definitely get those feel-good endorphins flowing through your body,

If you’re unsure of what to send or say, there are some suggestions of conversation topics as well as tips on things to avoid at www.postpals. co.uk/help/guide-to-writing-a-post/. You can also write to the siblings of a sick child through the Post Pals charity, as their lives are often affected by what their brother or sister is going through too. Note that while you may get a reply from your Post Pal, you shouldn’t expect one.

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Doodle Dozen®

By Author Michelle Gibbs

Doodle Dozen® is an inspiring children’s book series for kids aged 4-8 years. It features twelve little pencil pals on their adventures with human characters ‘Ziggy’ and ‘Milo’.

for children about expressing their emotions. For the mummy-author, it’s been an interesting journey, in-between ‘lockdown’ homeschooling and having a baby but her determination to make the series something her boys can be proud of, has not wavered. Michelle and husband Kevin recently welcomed their third baby boy, who will no doubt also make his own little mark on the Doodle Dozen® series soon! Michelle’s mission is to use Doodle Dozen® to inspire little readers, doodlers and change makers. With this in mind, she also recently launched a short video series on Youtube called ‘Inspirational Doodles presented by Ziggy’ with wonderful affirmations for kids. A second video series aimed at younger ones will be coming soon. With mummy on script, daddy on video and the boys on audio, these have truly been a family effort and so much fun too!

We met Dartford-based author, Michelle Gibbs, soon after her first book was published (see the November 2020 issue, page 41). Michelle was inspired by her sons to write the series after her eldest began doodling in a little, re-purposed scrapbook at home with a pack of ordinary colouring pencils and an HB pencil. This led Michelle to create Doodle Dozen®, which gave her the opportunity to combine her own imagination and creativity with a love for writing.

personalities, but they work together to reunite with their best friend Follow @doodledozen on social Ziggy. After reminiscing about their media and #letsgetdoodling! creative scrapbook doodles. In the second book of the series so far, (Credit: Peacelily Photography) they take their creativity to school, but the Doodle Dozen® have mixed emotions about their first day.

These inspirational little stories will appeal to both children and parents alike, especially as they explore concepts of friendship, teamwork, diversity, creativity, new experiences and more. With the clever In the first book, we learn that use of colours and personification the Doodle Dozen® are a unique throughout, the books are also pack of pencils with individual fantastic early conversation starters

To support this local author, visit doodledozen.com today to purchase the books, take a sneak peek inside, check out the 5-star reviews, read the blog, and watch the videos! Why not also download your FREE printable colouring sheet pack and get doodling at home?

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Why choose DPA Nursery? A personalised curriculum designed to broaden horizons and engage even our youngest learners to become global citizens. A truly diverse learning environment that welcomes and celebrates all faiths and cultures and encourages all children to become internationally minded. An exciting learning environment that encompasses a large outdoor area, small group and lunch room, large classroom with further resources to encourage learning through play, access to school facilities such as the library, school hall, dance studio and design and technology room.

We offer both 15 and 30 hour spaces with two sessions a day (08.30-11.30 and 12.00-15.00)

Join one of our LIVE open days via Google Meet. These are 30 minute sessions and booking is essential.

Please email office@dartfordprimary.org.uk to find out more information and to book your place. You can also request an application form or see our website: www.dartfordprimary.org.uk for more details on how to apply for a Nursery place.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

PEANUT BUTTER & WHITE CHOCOLATE BLONDIES By Debbie Dickinson

What you need: 100g Butter or Margarine 150g Crunchy Peanut Butter (or 120g Smooth Peanut Butter plus 30g Chopped Peanuts) 175g Sugar – Caster or Light Brown 1 Egg 125g Plain Flour 1tsp Baking Powder 100g White Chocolate Chips

Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown, but still a little soft in the middle. Leave to cool in the tin, on a wire rack – your bake will firm up as it cools. If you like you can decorate the top with melted chocolate. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy xxx

What to do: Preheat your oven to 150°C Fan and very lightly butter the sides of an 8” square tin. Cream the Peanut Butter, Butter and Sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the Egg and mix well. Stir in the Chocolate Chips. Sift in the Flour and Baking Powder and fold gently – just until everything is combined. Pour the mix into the prepared tin and smooth so its evenly spread.

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BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME By Rebecca King

Bringing home a piece of nature can be incredibly rewarding. With 21 houseplants to my name, nature adorns my previously bare shelves bringing vibrant colour, character and life to my home. Throughout lockdown watching the transition from a couple of leaves to a full-grown plant brightens my day. Watching plants grow and change is far from the only reason to pick up a houseplant. Scientific studies show that houseplants can improve our mood and physical health. They reduce stress and anxiety as well as dust levels in the air. NASA’s 1989 study into the air filtration qualities of different houseplants concluded they can filter pollutants such as cigarette smoke and toxic substances found in manmade materials.

tough as nails. This plant is very visible in its needs. It enjoys indirect sunlight and watering the soil when dried out. I often forgot to check the soil of the plant. When I saw the leaves drooping, I knew it was time to water it and the leaves that looked to be waning would perk back up in a matter of hours.

I picked up this pet safe plant from IKEA. With leaves reminiscent of rainforest greenery this plant enjoys indirect sun and watering when soil is less moist. Best of all the parlour palm is pet safe. To anyone intrigued by these plants I would suggest visiting your local garden centre or IKEA and picking out the one you like the look of most. There are so many options from herbs to succulents to air plants. Take your pick and try your luck.

So what plant should a beginner owner get? Here are 3 easy starter options.

Closed Top Terrarium Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels For those who claim to kill every plant they come into contact with I offer the humble terrarium. Its closed top allows water to circulate through Calathea Ornata also known as evaporation and condensation. It the Pinstripe Plant may need a couple drops of water if Photo by Nina Pintar from Pexels the plants looks to be wilting. I have one from Christmas and have never This was my first plant, and it’s needed to water it.

Chamaedorea Elegans also known as the Parlour Palm Photo by Rebecca King

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NATURAL IMMUNE SUPPORT

By Elizabeth Harfleet

Hello, I’m Elizabeth Harfleet, a full-time Methodist minister in Dartford and also a qualified Nutritional Therapist. In my work as a minister, I enjoy sharing the benefits of nutrition with the people and communities I work with. Nutritional therapy is not just about diet but is a whole person approach which aims to harness Nature’s tools in supporting the human body’s innate healing ability.

Essential Fats Essential Fatty Acids are essential for many bodily functions, including hormone production and maintaining healthy joints and skin. Omega 3 is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in oily fish, like salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as in flaxseeds, nuts and seeds. Coconut Oil Coconut oil’s versatility and antimicrobial properties make it a store cupboard staple. You can cook with it; apply it to the skin and hair; use it as a massage oil or to nourish dry skin. It can even be applied to the external bladder area, for those prone to bacterial urinary tract infections. Turmeric Turmeric is far more than just a colourful curry ingredient but has lots of health benefits too. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help to support all kinds of health conditions. It can be used in sweet and savoury recipes in either powder or whole root form. Turmeric can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

Our immune system is an amazing defence mechanism which operates within our other bodily systems. As up to 70% of our immune system is located within the digestive tract, maintaining a healthy gut is essential for an efficient immune system. Whilst our immune system will successfully deal with many challenges, inflammation is the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli and may be the first symptom of an imbalance within the body. Here are a few things which could help to support immune function, so reducing the potential for inflammation to occur.

I always recommend taking things slowly, noting how you feel and what your body is telling you. The dietary and lifestyle choices you make each Vitamin C day really can help to shape your Vitamin C is famously important health and wellbeing. for supporting the immune system and can be found in many fruits Deacon Elizabeth Harfleet is an and vegetables, including green ordained Methodist minister serving leafy vegetables, broccoli, peppers, in the North Kent Methodist Circuit blackcurrants and citrus fruits. Fruits and a qualified nutritional therapist. and vegetables are also a good source Elizabeth is unable to offer individual of other vitamins and minerals. appointments. This information is not a substitute for personal medical Vitamin D advice, diagnosis or treatment, Vitamin D is essential for bones, teeth and does not take into account any and muscles as well as immunity. individual’s health conditions. Regular exposure to sunlight enables Contact: e.harfleet@gmail.com the body to make Vitamin D. Dietary sources include mushrooms, soya milk, oily fish and fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin D can also be taken in supplement form.

SPORTS ROUNDUP Here’s a story that caught my attention… Man Utd mate is there or not, is impacted by the red shirt on a change Old Trafford large banners from red to black red background with red seats. after players’ struggles. The proof of the pudding is in the eating… so let’s see Manchester United have changed the colour of the if this improves their home record?? banners covering the seats at Old Trafford from red to black to try and win more home games. Anyone remember the grey kit from almost 25 years ago that was changed at half time?? Well it’s almost 25 years to the day since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson ordered his players to change their grey shirts at half-time in a match against Southampton because they were struggling to pick each other out. The current manager suggests a similar issue may be a reason for his side’s problems at home this season. United have won 13 (54.2%) and lost six (25%) of their 24 home games in all competitions this season. In contrast the figures away from Old Trafford are 17 wins (65.4%) and three defeats (11.5%) from 26 matches. In the efforts to find a solution, the previous seat coverings were not helping, so have been changed with some players mentioning that split-second decisions where you look over your shoulder to see if your team-

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MAY INCLUDE:

15 May: Football - FA Cup final at Wembley 16 May: Football - Women’s Champions League final in Gothenburg 22 May: Football - Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley 22 May: Rugby Union - European Champions Cup final - venue TBC 23 May: Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo 26 May: Football - Europa League final 29 May: Football - Champions League final 30 May-13 June: Tennis - French Open in Paris

YOGA, MEDITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

This year Mental Health Awareness Week is the 10th – 16th of May, World Meditation Day falls on the 21st May and in England from the 17th of May group indoor yoga classes will again be permitted under the Government Roadmap out of lockdown – hooray! Though online yoga classes have proved much more enjoyable than most of us thought possible and some even prefer online yoga in the comfort of their own home, feeling part of a community, having a sense that we are supporting each other and sharing our energy is much more easily palpable in an in-person yoga class. Although restrictions remain, logistics are tricky and we will be 2 meters apart, I am very much looking forward to the 17th of May when I can start to teach groups of people together in the same room again. For some yoga is purely a physical practice, one that has the potential to bring many benefits including a stronger more flexible body, less tension, fewer aches and pains. However, yoga offers us much more than exercise and one of the tools of yoga is meditation. Yoga developed experientially and philosophically within the culture and traditions of pan India over

the last 3000 years and something that is often not known by modern practitioners is that in the early years the word yoga was originally synonymous with meditation - the breathing practices, the postures and other practices were later developments. Research confirms that meditation has many positive outcomes for mental health including reducing st r e s s & a n x i e t y, i m p r o v i n g emotional health, enhancing selfawareness, lengthening attention span, improving memory, increasing positive feelings, including kindness towards others and self-compassion, helping to break and manage addictions, improving sleep, reducing chronic pain, lowering blood pressure and stimulating the immune system.

With all these benefits and more we might wonder why we aren’t all regular meditators but the reality is that not all types of meditation suit all of us and working out which type of meditation you will find doable, enjoyable and beneficial is a process not often talked about. I was lucky enough to be taught by a teacher who acknowledged that not all meditation techniques suit everyone and this is something I now pass on to those I teach. We all have different ways of experiencing the world around us and our primary sense might be either Visual, Kinesthetic, or Auditory. Knowing our primary modality can help us to choose a meditation practice that will be easier to connect to and easier to keep up. If you have tried meditation before and not found it easy or it’s not been something you have been able to stick to, it may well be because the technique you were working with didn’t match your primary modality. For this reason, in my yoga classes, I teach a range of meditation techniques with the aim of helping the participants find a meditation practice that works for them. If you are interested and want to know more about meditation, please do get in touch. I am always more than happy to talk about yoga. clair.crestyoga@gmail.com

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TRAVEL INSPIRATION: SUMMER 2021 By Harden Holidays

As the summer draws ever closer, we still await further news from the government regarding which countries will fall within the green category of their traffic light system for international travel. Hopefully by the time you are reading this we will have some more certainty around travel in the coming months. In the meantime the Department of Transport released details in the past week regarding the conditions upon which cruising can resume around the UK: Roadmap step 3 – no earlier than 17 May Domestic cruises will be permitted in England under step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. Domestic cruises will be able to operate with up to 1,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is lower. This capacity limit applies to passengers only. COVID-secure guidance will continue to apply. Groups of more than 6 people or 2 households will not be allowed to mix indoors – whether or not they originally booked in the name group. Roadmap step 4 – no earlier than 21 June By step 4, the government hopes to remove all legal limits on social contact. This includes lifting capacity limits for domestic cruises. At least 15 cruise lines have now released their plans for cruising around the UK this summer, and all cruise lines except one require passengers to be vaccinated before cruising. MSC will be bringing it’s brand new ship MSC Virtuosa to Southampton from the 20th May and will not require passengers to be vaccinated before boarding, instead they will have a robust testing procedure in place to ensure passenger safety. They have already been running similar protocols in the Mediterranean, carrying over 55,000 guests since august 2020. MSC Virtuosa’s namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning someone highly skilled in any field of activity, and so MSC Virtuosa was named to pay homage to the skill and expertise of the MSC Cruises architects and shipyard partners at Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique who designed and built this innovative class of ships.

This new cruise ship is one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with her sister ship MSC Grandiosa, boasting an impressive array of guest features all coming together in perfect harmony to deliver the ultimate cruise holiday experience. MAIN FEATURES Environmental Stewardship MSC Virtuosa is one of the most environmentally-sound ships at sea and an energy-efficient role model for modern cruising. • 98% reduction of sulphur oxide (SOx) and 90% reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions thanks to the most advanced technologies. • Wide range of energy-saving equipment to maximise efficiency such as smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning. • Advanced wastewater treatment system with higher purification standards than most wastewater treatment facilities ashore. MSC Starship Club This futuristic venue is much more than just a bar. It’s an immersive entertainment experience. Featuring Rob, the first ever humanoid robotic bartender at sea, the MSC Starship Club will transport our guests to a different world. As you sip your cosmic cocktail and gaze out of the portholes across the space, Rob and his human colleagues will take you to an exciting journey to discover new galactic destinations. Galleria Virtuosa The longest LED Dome at Sea. The indoor promenade features both Main and Speciality Restaurants along with numerous shops.

With 1168m2 of retail space, MSC Virtuosa will exceed the already record breaking retail space onboard MSC Grandiosa, to present the largest shopping area at sea on any cruise ship with 11 state-of-the art boutiques and over 250 brands. The promenade is destined to become the ultimate destination for socializing and entertainment possibilities for guests. MSC Virtuosa Pools MSC Virtuosa offers its guests 5 outstanding and unique pools, including one of the biggest and most intricate waterparks at sea. The pools are capable of accommodating over 1,000+ guests with comfort. The Atmosphere Pool, 1.700 m2 with about 10 m2 of public space per guest, is one of the most plentiful to be found at sea. Family & Children MSC Cruises is known for its award-winning family offering and has a long-standing partnership with the LEGO Group to design the kids club areas as well as on board activities.

beauty services. Panoramic gym equipped with the latest Technogym machines, 5 outstanding pools and the TOP 19 Exclusive solarium Here are a few ideas of dates and prices:

MSC Yacht Club The best location of the cabins and a reserved area accessible only to YC Members, dedicated restaurant and lounges and a large private pool area with solarium and whirlpool baths. 24-hour butler service, dedicated massage rooms and full access to Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa. This is the MSC Yacht Club, the ultimate luxury cruise experience. Spa & wellness MSC Aurea Spa with its thermal area, professional massages, body treatments, facials and

We have missed cruising and ship visits immensely – so much so that we have booked ourselves onto one of the first voyages departing Southampton! We are super excited to be able cruise again. You can follow our journey on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn).

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Full-time, experienced, qualified yoga teacher, teaching practical yoga and meditation classes in the local community and now online. When Government advice allows, the regular schedule of in person group classes in Hextable, Swanley, Sidcup and Bexleyheath will resume. For now, all regular group classes are being held online. Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher and British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course Tutor, I am qualified and experienced in making yoga accessible. I teach an embodied and practical approach to yoga, breath work and meditation, appropriate for all ages and abilities. You don’t need to be flexible to start! My classes are friendly, everybody is welcome, so come and see how it feels to tune in and connect yourself and feel better. Please visit my website for more information or email me at clair.crestyoga@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

FITNESS - MAY It’s not all about “Body Transformations”

We all want to look good. And no matter how good we may look, we want to look better. Most of the training plans you see advertised are showing amazing transformations from overweight, sad looking people, to slim, toned, tanned and waxed happy people. It’s incredibly superficial, but that’s what sells. However, the real benefits of getting a good training and nutrition plan in place are less visible. Being HEALTHIER is by far a better goal (as an added bonus, if you improve your health, you’ll tend to improve the way you look as a welcome side effect). What those incredible before and after photos don’t show are the improvements in health. Aside from the obvious increases in strength and improved fitness levels, you have better sleep, improved blood pressure, better cholesterol ratios, better hormonal profiles, better insulin management, improved energy levels, mental clarity, better focus, reduced aches and pains, better digestion and less bloating and discomfort, better mental health, reduced stress levels, improvements in many other conditions you may suffer with… Then there are the other benefits like being able to play with your kids/ grandkids, being able to walk up the stairs without losing your breath, being able to maintain your health longer into old age (for the young ones out there, trust me, when you get to your 30’s or 40’s you’ll be less

bothered about “how much you can bench” and start to think a bit more about how well you’ll fair over the coming years). The real transformations are internal – health markers and psychological benefits. Looking better is just a nice bonus, although it’s generally where people focus their attention (until something goes wrong and you get a health scare – then people prioritise health!). For me, I want to have my cake and eat it (bad analogy in a fitness article I know), I want to look better, feel better AND move better. I want to maintain my strength as I get older, improve my fitness and regain the lost mobility from my younger years. I also want to do that whilst eating the foods I love (confession – I’m a chocoholic!) The good news is that this is all possible – it’s not too late! :) Transformations for the sake of “before and after photo’s” are great for Instagram, but my aim with my clients is always to improve their health and provide them with what they need as well as what they want. You don’t have to sacrifice health to look good. So, make your focus on better health. Looking like a fitness cover model would be great… so long as you can still enjoy your life! Looking great but being miserable because you can’t eat the foods you enjoy, or not being able to bend down to put your socks on isn’t the goal for most. I’m late 30’s with 3 kids and a dog. Life is busy. Fitting training in can be difficult some days, but it’s important not to make excuses. There are workarounds for everything. Shorter, more intense workouts. Combining tasks like phone calls or audio books/podcasts with walking the dog. Planning meals and preparing food beforehand. Delegating some chores to the little

people in the house (who should be helping out anyway!) So what if you don’t get to sit down and put the TV on until a bit later – that’s better than skipping a workout. You can watch 3 hours of TV a night and moan about not getting results, or you could do a workout/go for a walk, just watch 1 hour of TV and get to bed at a decent time… What’s more important – watching the next episode NOW? Or improving your health? My point is, ANYONE can make the time to exercise, it just means being more efficient at planning your day and/or making a small sacrifice to improve your health. It’s not difficult, once you learn how to do it, to plan and prepare healthier meals. So, eating better and exercising is within reach for EVERYONE. Including YOU. Throw out whatever excuses you’ve made in the past and look to the future. Short-term and long-term. If you want to improve your health (and all of the other benefits listed above), start something now. Don’t put it off. Don’t wait until next week. Just get started. To your health! And as always, if you need a bit of help figuring out how to fit this all into your busy lifestyle, I’m here to help :) Mark www.MBonlinePT.com @MarkBroadbentPT

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YAMATO DAMASHII

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old, men and women and it’s a fun way to get fit and learn a valuable new skill. You or your children will learn respect, become more disciplined, focused, self-confident, improve concentration and make new friends, all these things can help throughout life.

free. For further information, see their website www.ydma.club or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ ydmakarate or email them at info@ ydma.club

Both kids and adults can learn in a fun environment and each individual can develop their body and mind, gradually and naturally and they may Yamato Damashii is a family-run not even realise their own progress Dartford-based karate club who until they look back and see just how teach traditional wado-ryu karate, far they have come. they run engaging classes and are very good at helping new members Yamato Damashii is affiliated with to integrate into the club and NAKMAS, an independent martial feel welcome. Some children are arts governing body and have been very shy in the beginning, but the awarded Covid Safe status. The instructors work with them and instructors are licensed, insured and help them to grow in confidence DBS checked. All the instructors were and become part of the group, once white belts and have progressed I’d say that this is more than just through many years of training and a karate club, it’s more like a big now happily pass their experience friendly family. and knowledge onto others. Karate can benefit everyone, young, Classes are held every Wednesday evening at the Leigh Academy and at Becket Sport Centre every Saturday morning and your first lesson is

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND THIS MAY This month marks Mental Health Awareness Week, from 10 to 16 May. As we recover from the pandemic, during which so many people have faced emotional ch al l e n ge s , m e n tal h eal th awareness seems incredibly pertinent. It may be that you’ve personally experienced challenges with your own mental health over the last year, or you may know family, friends or colleagues who’ve been struggling. At Christians Against Poverty (CAP), many of our clients come to us with a variety of struggles. This ranges from needing debt help to support with finding a new job or budgeting advice. Often through getting CAP’s help, people report Both the NHS and Mind websites an improvement in their mental have tons of great ideas for getting health and a reduction in stress off the sofa, exercising and enjoying or anxiety. the health benefits of the outdoors. Find out more at nhs.uk and mind. With the theme of this year’s Mental org.uk/ information-support/ Health Awareness Week being tips-for-everyday-living. nature and the environment, we’ve put together some tips to help you Spend time in the garden make the most of the early summer Even if you don’t have a very big outdoors. garden, spending time outdoors can be beneficial. Now that the Grab every opportunity that you pandemic-related restrictions are can to get outside being eased, seeing people outside Advice from the NHS and mental can be a great way to elevate your health charity Mind says that there mood. are health-boosting effects of spending time outdoors, being close Gardening can also promote to nature and having a chance to positive feelings as you nurture breathe fresh air. According to Mind, new life through whatever you it improves your mood and reduces plant. It’s a great way to grow a bit feelings of stress and anger. Plus, of extra food too, such as potatoes it can increase our energy levels. and strawberries. These do well in containers, so you don’t even need If getting close to nature means you much space – which is great news if have to travel a bit further afield, you live in an apartment and only get yourself a packed lunch, take a have a balcony or window ledge. bottle of water or a flask of tea, and head out for a walk to your nearest For ideas of some of the best green space to enjoy a cheap and vegetables to grow in pots see cheerful day out. balconygardenweb.com. Check

out growlikegrandad.co.uk, a blog written by an anxiety sufferer who has experienced the great benefits of gardening. He posts some great tips for gardening on a budget too! Get the kids involved too You’ll find lots of resources online to encourage the kids to get outdoors, gain a sense of achievement and boost their mental wellbeing. Check out childrensgardeningweek.co.uk and make the most of National Children’s Gardening Week at the end of May. Seek help with problem finances At CAP, we know all too well the link between financial struggles and mental ill-health. If you have money worries, take action sooner rather than later. The next local budgeting course, where you can learn tips to manage your money over three Monday evenings in May, starts on 10th May at 8pm over zoom. To register for this free course visit capmoney.org. If you are struggling with problem-debt, there are lots of free debt counselling charities, including CAP, that can help. Just taking this first step can feel like a weight has been lifted. Have a look

at moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan for advice.

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LIFE UNDER THE STAIRS

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson

Firstly, condolences to the Royal Family on the recent death of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. A man of strong views and witty retorts. A steadfast consort to the Queen and from all accounts a rather decent chap. Rest In Peace, Sir.

anything, it is that times change, and sometimes for the better. I hated the Priory at first; the small shops had gone and here was this large shopping mall, crammed with (gasp) new shops. I soon got used to retail under one roof finding a bigger range of goods available, and the more modern, at the time, approach to retail. It took a time for me to fully embrace this new world, but now we all take it for granted. I was a vocal protester about the state of Lowfield Street and the lack of investment in the town. I watched as the bigger retail names pulled out once Bluewater had opened. The mantra ‘Bluewater killed the town’, was often on my lips. Then came the stockpiling of land and promises from Tesco which came to nothing.

THANK YOU NHS

REMAKE/REMODEL

I want to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Beech Ward at Darent Valley Hospital. Coping with the pandemic, all the extra work and protocols it has brought, all hospital staff have shown how magnificent they are. From the security guards at the entrance, to the housekeeping and portering staff to the medical teams, my recent experience while visiting an elderly relative has been highlighted by kindliness, efficiency, humour and professionalism. In this case, the outcome was not kind to our family, but the support we received was second to none. Thank you.

I found an old diary recently. One written in my angst-ridden youth, full of righteous indignation and how the young could change the world. How awful Dartford was, and how it was being ruined by shops closing to make way for the original Priory Centre.

Fast forward many decades and the same depth of feeling is prevalent in some area about the remaking and remodelling of Dartford again. We bemoan the lack of quality shops, the poor parking, and the vast building project in Lowfield Street and beyond.

I’ve been into Dartford a few times lately, and I am going to have to eat humble pie. The Market Street area is clean and modern and the new housing will provide a range of homes for all sizes of household. It will revitalise an area which was fading and on life support. We may not like it, or hold strong views on its progress, but in time there will be a new generation of folk living in Dartford, using the park, Fairfield Pool the bars and restaurants. Once there is a demand for new shops and amenities, retailers and entrepreneurs alike will provide a wealth of new outlets for us.

It will highly likely be a café society – with the emphasis on cafes and bars, perhaps some clubs and a greater use of space for leisure. If we are honest we’ve nearly all changed how we use the shops during the past year. We search online for a wider range of If this pandemic has taught me goods than ever before. We are used

to seeing the delivery vans from the big supermarkets driving around at all hours, or having the ubiquitous Amazon, DPD or Hermes parcels delivered. We have changed and retailers must follow customer demands. We might see a return to the smaller shops of my youth – perhaps artisan bakers or specialist grocers. Local designers and local businesses starting up. I much prefer to use a smaller business nearer to home than a large national company. I know this sounds idyllic, but Dartford needed to change, just as it did all those years ago with the opening of the shopping centre. It’s a new time and place for a new generation. Rather than going into Mrs Grumpy mode, I think I’ll wait and see how it progresses. I might even like it.

you understand. Can anyone answer the following? Is cat litter the feline version of Lego bricks? It would seem so as far as my gang are concerned. I’m so fed up with treading on the stuff and hurting my feet. Secondly, is it a given that any area I prepare to plant seedlings will go from being pristine and lovely the day before to a weed ridden disaster overnight? Just asking, you understand. Lastly, why does it rain sand around here? The last couple of downpours have deposited a thick yellow coating on my newly washed car. The gods are against me! Take care and enjoy your freedom safely.

LIFE IN GENERAL Some observations this month, based on an event at 27/1/14 Stevenson Towers. Just some questions and ramblings

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HOSPICE HELPS BEREAVED TREAD THE PATH THROUGH GRIEF By Basia Wilson

Grief is a personal journey and people cope with it in many different ways. For Linda Rush, getting out in the fresh air helped her more than sitting down and talking about her feelings -- so she instigated a walking group for others who had been bereaved.

lockdown obviously meant the group walks had to stop. But it was lovely that people still wanted to keep in touch and get out and about, just as friends. “When I was widowed I was able to meet up with friends and talk things through but lockdown has meant people can’t do this -- you can’t give someone a hug. I had so much support from ellenor when Philip was ill and after he died. I don’t know how I would cope with the way life is now. “But lockdown is easing and there is light at the end of the tunnel. The feeling I get is that we will start the walking groups up again in some form. I think the pandemic has thrown people out of their routines, but everything will evolve.

“I find that when you are walking, it’s easier to talk than when you are sitting in a room with a counsellor and a box of Kleenex. I know walking group members say that when they get home they can just take their shoes off and have a cup of tea knowing they have left the house, been out and met other people and had some exercise.”

Before lockdown, the walks, organised by hospice charity ellenor, where Linda works as a volunteer, had become very popular. In fact participants were so keen to keep walking and talking that they have kept in contact during the pandemic, walking

During the past year Linda has been part of an army of volunteers regularly phoning carers and the bereaved at home on behalf of ellenor, a Kent and Bexley-based charity providing care and support to patients with lifeinformally in groups of six when it limiting illnesses and their families. was allowed last year, and in pairs She says: “I have a few people I phone more recently. regularly, just to touch base and see Hospice volunteer Linda says: “Of if they are OK. All the people I speak course the pandemic changed things to are very grateful for the contact.” drastically. We were really helping people to rebuild their lives, but

seemed a natural progression. After Philip died a friend got me out walking and we did the couch to 5k training plan, which was very good for me. Then I started going to the Cyclopark in Gravesend with friends and having a coffee afterwards.” Linda, featured in a documentary about ellenor shown on the Together Freeview TV channel three years ago, was inspired by broadcaster Clare Balding’s book Walking Home and her Ramblings series on BBC Radio 4. She planned the initial informal walks in September 2018, from the hospice to Jeskyns park for a coffee in the café and following a round route back. The charity’s family support worker Rebecca Richardson then instigated a risk assessment and the walks became part of a regular timetable of events.

Interim Lead for Wellbeing and Living Well Andrew Lowden and his team have been doing all they can to give people “a sense of socialisation” during the pandemic. They have already been putting plans in place for more home visits and for activities like the walking groups to return and expand. Linda has trodden her own path through grief since losing her husband Philip in 2016 at the age of 63 -- when they were on the point of retiring from their own business. Philip was an inpatient at the hospice in Northfleet and died at Darenth Valley Hospital after prostate cancer spread to his spine.

ellenor has recently started hosting a bereavement group again at the hospice on a Sunday once a month, and Linda attended the session at the end of February. “It was good to catch up with people. I know some of them have also been doing the mindfulness sessions via Zoom with Sally Baker, the complementary therapist.” Hospice staff and volunteers have done all they can to keep people connected during lockdown. The Wellbeing team and volunteers are looking forward to more restrictions lifting -- and walking group members are itching to put on their boots!

She says: “When Philip was ill I was offered counselling and I did have 10 sessions but I was in a really bad headspace at the time, trying to run our business and cope with his illness. I also remember being offered some mindfulness sessions, but I would rather have been out on my bike or walking.”

Linda was one of about four people who first attended the Thursday evening bereavement meetings at ellenor’s Northfleet hospice when it was started up five years ago. She says: “I had already been attending the Carers Cuppa at the hospice on a Saturday morning so it

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Community, climate, camaraderie: A message to Dartford Borough…

‘Think Global, Act Local’ Calling all community groups with a passion and concern for our local, regional and global climate future. With a post-local election new start, the local DiEM25 group invites representatives of existing climate-focussed groups to a summer gathering, as COVID restrictions permit. As

Dartford

Borough

Council

reassembles

its

administration,

following

restructuring and local elections, we seize the opportunity to work in partnership with a forward-looking, ‘can do’ approach, as we work together to address this major challenge for humankind. If you would like to join a co-ordination meeting, to showcase/present your group work, we would be very glad to see you. Whether you are a small group, protecting a piece of wildlife space in your road, or a larger association which has lobbied DBC previously, come tell us about yourself. We will host a light lunch, at a local venue/TBC, during July-August, subject to any new gathering regulations.

Please contact: localgroups@uk.diem25.org

DiEM25 is a European-based grassroots movement, with over 10,000 members in 130 countries, working in local groups to improve citizen access to, and engagement in, local community politics. Find out more at: www.diem25.org

DARTFORD PAINTED ROCKS Rock Painting in Dartford.

Local people from Dartford Painted Rocks on Facebook have been busy this month painting

hiding them around town. The rocks can also be exchanged at Stephen Oliver: Studio and By and Maria Kingsford Gallery located in the Orchard Shopping Centre.

Here are some great photos of their painted rocks.

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.

Dartford Living are creating Dartford Online- a place where you can find out about all things to do with Dartford and the local area.

If you would like to submit a listing head to www.dartfordonline.com or you can email online@dartfordliving.com for more information.

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Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford Office open to help constituents Email: gareth.johnson.mp@parliament.uk

Telephone 020 7219 7047 www.garethjohnsondartford.co.uk www.gov.uk/coronavirus 45

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Please call Mike or John on: Tel 01322 406439 / 01322 525708 Mobile: 07742 085333 Email: mikeperry5001@aol.com Partners: Mike Perry and John Petherick

CAR NEWS MAY 2021

By Dhiren Ganesh

In this month’s article we look at a new hybrid and small SUVs to the family car range available in 2021.

2021 Volkswagen Polo – Volkswagen Polo gets refreshed looks and more technology. On the outside the headlights now cut down into the bumper and are joined together by a light strip that runs through the front grille. Inside, traditional rotary air-con controls have been ditched in favour of touch-sensitive sliders. A central front airbag and powerful LED headlights are now fitted to improve safety, with matrix LED lights that can remain on full beam.

2021 Honda HR-V small SUV – the new Honda HR-V small SUV gets hybrid power, a family-friendly interior and sporty looks. This is a lot more aggressive-looking than the old HR-V, with bluffer front and rear bumpers, a larger front grille and thinner headlights.

At the rear, a new LED light bar runs the width of the car, emphasising its stronger stance and with 18in alloys as standard. The new model is hybrid with a 1.5 litre petrol and two electric motors producing 129 bhp. The new HR-V features the latest Other changes include restyled version of Honda’s infotainment front and rear bumpers and the system, presented on a 9.0in central Polo badge being moved from the touchscreen. left to the centre of the tailgate. A face-lifted version of the Polo GTI There will be more room in the rear hot hatch will join the line-up early seats with three seats which can next year. Available from the Autumn be converted to two. Prices will be of 2021 priced are expected to start released closer to the Autumn but expected to be around £22,000. from circa £17,500.

2021 Mercedes EQB electric SUV – the new Mercedes EQB electric SUV will be capable of travelling around 250 miles between charges. This is the smallest seven-seat electric SUV with room for 2 child seats at the rear or adults. Only the Tesla Model X has seven seats as its competitors but is much bigger. On the inside there is the a dual-screen layout, with one given over to digital instruments and the other used for infotainment. There are front and four-wheel drive models to choose from and multiple power outputs, all with a 66.5kWh battery pack – this could be capable of almost 250 miles on one full charge. Available from later this year it is expected to be priced from £50,000.

DARTFORD TOWN AGAINST CRIME STEPS UP ITS FIGHT AGAINST REPEAT OFFENDERS. As a result of some great partnership work amongst Dartford’s business community, Dartford Borough Council, Kent Police and the Dartford Town Against Crime scheme (DTAC) now have a new tool to fight persistent shoplifters and criminals that target local traders within the Borough.

This was all possible by using legislation that allows Community Protection Warnings and Notices to be issued to individuals who commit crime at a DTAC member’s store. Any breach of the conditions can then support an application, made by Police, for a CBO on conviction of a theft offence, which is what happened in this case. Supported by Dartford Borough Council, DTAC allows businesses in Dartford to work closely with Police and other agencies to prevent crime, and deal with shoplifters who have a detrimental impact on profits and staff safety. DTAC has supported its members for many years, providing a radio network, CCTV support, regular offender updates, advice and guidance. Council Officer and DTAC Intelligence Manager, Karen Radford said: “This is a great result for Dartford’s businesses and demonstrates that we will target those criminals that target us. It’s a very difficult time right now for our shops working to re-open following the lockdown, but we’re here to help them as much as possible and make Dartford a safe place to visit and shop. I would encourage all businesses to join DTAC so that we can work together to prevent crime.”

A s a result of some great pa r t n e rshi p wo rk a m o n g st Dartford’s business community, Dartford Borough Council, Kent Police and the Dartford Town Against Crime scheme (DTAC) now have a new tool to fight persistent shoplifters and criminals that target local traders within the Borough.

country to assist Dartford Borough Council in obtaining a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to a repeat shoplifter, banning the individual from entering any of DTAC members’ stores, plus any Co-Op stores in the County of Kent. The CBO, issued on 12th March 2021, also requires the individual to seek help for alcohol and drug addiction, and has a power DTAC has become one of the first of arrest attached, meaning any business crime partnerships in the breach will be dealt with by the court.

If you have a business in the Borough of Dartford and are interested in what DTAC has to offer, please contact the DTAC Intelligence Manager, Karen Radford @ karen.radford@ dartford.gov.uk.

WILMINGTON FARMLAND BY STEVE YOUNG

WHERE TO GO LOCALLY PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS - TERM TIME ONLY MONDAYS 9:15am - 11:00am - A&J Toddlers - St Anselms Church Community Centre, Dartford. £2.00 per one adult and child and 50p for any extra children or adults each. Tea/coffee biscuits, small snack for children with juice. Toast 20p per slice Craft table and singing and dancing at end of session Contact Julie on 01322 291092. TUESDAYS Session 1: 9.15-10.45am, and Session 2: 11-12.30pm. Christchurch, Crossroad, Dartford. Contact Catherine on 01322 220036. 9.30am -11.30am. The Salvation Army, 66 Hythe Street, Dartford. Please call us on (01322) 288434 for further information. 9.30am-11.30am Sticky Fingers - £1.50 per adult includes tea ,biscuits and healthy snack time for the children For pre school children up to 4 years St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall London Road Greenhithe Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 9:30-10:30am at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime WEDNESDAYS 10am -12pm - Little Angels Net Church, (Formerly Gala Bingo Hall) Dartford, £2.50 per family including all snacks and drinks. Catherine 07878658685 11.15am - SLADE GREEN AND HOWBURY COMMUNITY LIBRARY BABY AND TODDLER ACTION RHYME TIME GROUP 12:45pm -2.45pm - Fleetdown Open House - Fleetdown Community Centre, Swaledale Road, Dartford, DA2 6JZ £2.50 per Adult THURSDAYS 9:30am - 11:30am. St Paulinus Church Hall, Manor Road, Crayford. 9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 1pm-2.30pm Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 10:30-11:30am, at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime FRIDAYS 9.30am-11am Baby and me for expectant mothers and mothers / carers of chidren up to 2. £1 per adult St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers facebook.com/ToeRags 9.30am-11.30am Carer & Toddler Group, St Mary’s Church Hall, Stone Place Rd, Greenhithe. Jeanne 01322 380322 jeannehoadley@ yahoo.co.uk 1-3pm Gigglekidz, Tree Estate Community Centre on Cedar Road - £2 Per Child SATURDAYS 9.30am-11.30am Daddy and Me - A group for dads and male carers of children up to 5years. £1.50 includes healthy snack time for the children. St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 2-3pm - Lego Club- ages 5 and over - Chrome Road Slade Green DA8 2EL Tel: 01322 333602

Toddler Music & Rhyme Sessions at Dartford Libraries - Monday 10:30am - 11am 2:15pm – 2:45pm Friday Thursday 10:30pm -11:00am Story Time Fleetdown - Tuesday 10:30am -11am Greenhithe - Thursday 2.15pm – 2.45pm - Thursday 10:45am -11:15am Longfield Summerhouse - Tuesday 10:30am – 11am Sutton-at-Hone -Monday. 2pm – 2:30pm Temple Hill - Wednesday 10.30am -11am Dartford

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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

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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 ParkContact: 01322 299990 www.dartfordfc.com Dartford Valley RFC www.pitchero.com/clubs/ darenthvalleyrfc/ USEFUL FACEBOOK GROUPS Dartford Living Dartford Today and Tomorrow Dartford Remembered Dartford Gossip Dartford Living Community Group

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TRAVEL GOLDEN LEAS HOLIDAY PARK………..................17 HARDEN HOLIDAYS ………………………….......24 RETAIL THE BED POST ……………………………..........23 BRADLEY’S JEWELLERS……………………........46 WILL WRITING SMN WILL WRITING ……………………....…….45 WEBSITE DESIGN & MARKETING DARTFORD LIVING MARKETING………………..55 DARTFORD LIVING DESIGN………………….....58

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Dartford Living May 2021

Articles inside

Car News

Dartford painted rocks

Life under the Stairs

Natural Immune Support

Dartford Giving

Brighten up your home

Hospice helps bereaved tread the path through grief

Masterchef Winner Thomas Frake creates Gourmet versions

Senior Snippet