Dartford Living June 2015 Issue

Dartford Living

www.dartfordliving.com June 2015 - Issue 108

Dartford Litterpickers: Helping to clean up Brooklands Lake Page 18

What’s Inside...

Do you #lovedartford

Local Group Girl Guiding

Charity Focus: Plus - All your regular Demelza features, puzzles, events,

Page 27

Page 20

Page 36

information and much, much more in our new 48 page issue.

DARTFORD BUSINESS CENTRE PROVIDING A FULL SERVICE TO DARTFORD SMALL BUSINESSES

“A Hand Holding Service” Established 35 years

COMPANY FORMATION Save tax by forming a private company from as little as £45 + registration fee + VAT. www.companyregistration.org ACCOMMODATION ADDRESS Have a virtual office accommodation address facility for as little as £40.00 per month. www.accommodation-address.com RENT AN OFFICE 24/7 Offices available to rent from as little as £38.00 per week with parking. www.accommodation-address.com

ACCOUNTANCY & TAX SERVICE Conradi Morrison & Co specialises in small clients and provides a top class personal service for a fixed low fee.

Phone for a free meeting to discuss your needs. www.dartfordaccountants.com PAYLINE Let us undertake your payroll and take the strain from you for as little as £18 per month + VAT. www.payline.org

Tel: 01322 278188

Haslemere, 4 Summerhill Rd, Dartford DA1 2LP Email: phc@conradimorrison.com

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Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Editor’s Letter

Dear Readers, A big June hello from everyone at Dartford Living! We hope you enjoy this month’s expanded magazine, with more pages than ever before. As usual this month’s edition is jam packed with lots of local information and local businesses. Please support as many as you can - “use them or lose them!”

Don’t forget that we run Dartford Living alongside volunteer members of the local community FOR the local community. Dartford Living is YOUR magazine, the only independently run magazine serving the local area with information, fun, good news and positive local stories! Feel free to 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!

We deliver to thousands of homes and businesses in the local area, however if you don’t receive a copy directly through your door, you can pick up a copy from various drop off points. These include Dartford Football Club, numerous local libraries, Darent Valley Hospital, What If... and Stephen Oliver Art Galleries, numerous health centres and various locations at Bluewater including Coffee Republic.

The ‘Previous Editions’ section of the Dartford Living website (www. dartfordliving.com) also includes electronic versions of Dartford Living magazine. Additionally, if you email editor@dartfordliving.com we will add you to our newsletter email mailing list and contact you just once a month with an electronic copy of Dartford Living!

Over 4,000 local people already do this!

Until next time, Vijay (and Annie, Bhavesh, David, Dhiren, Elaine, Joanne, Ken, Kelly, Mark, Nickki, Peter, Richey and the rest of the fantastic Dartford Living volunteer team)

Advertising

We offer amazing value advertising with adverts starting from just £26 per month. The advertising deadline for the next issue is 10th June All enquiries David Shafford Magazine/ Website design and Sales sales@dartfordliving.com

Contents

6-13................................................. What’s on 14............................................ Useful numbers 15................................Dartford Book Exchange 18.....................................Dartford Litterpickers 19........................................Beauty of a Sunset 20.........................................GirlGuides 21.................................Dartford Living meets...

22..............................................Lowfield Street 23....................................................Stone Fete 26..........................................Mayor of Dartford 27........................................#lovedartford 28...............Wisdom Estates - Supporting ellenor 30 .................................................Local Crafts 32...........................................Max Makerspace 36......................................................Demelza 37...................................................Sea Cadets 38....................................................Auto News 39...............................Tips for a small business 40..............................................Sudoku 41..............................................Gardening Tips 42................................................Sports News 44...............................Local Theatre production 45....................................Competitions

Frontpage image - Brooklands Lake Taken by Sharpshooter. For more information www.facebook.com/photographybysharpshooter

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

33

Lose Weight and Get Fit Class Times

Location Acacia Hall High Street Dartford

Mon Tue Wed Thur Sat Sun

1930 0930 1845 1015 0900 1015

First class FREE with this ad!

Just cut it out and bring it with you.

4 4

Please Pleasemention mentionDartford DartfordLiving Livingwhen whencontacting contactingour ouradvertisers advertisers

Index of Advertisers ACCOUNTANTS, FINANCE & LEGAL Conradi Morrison & Co .....................................................2 Lynton & Co ........................................................................5 BUILDERS, DECORATORS ROOFING, KITCHENS & WINDOWS 4k Building Services.........................................................47 A Baines & Son Roofing.....................................................34 Claremont Decorative Services.. .................................46 John Hargreaves Building...................................................25 Steve Cook - Double Glazing............................................16 CLEANING SOLA Home Cleaning.........................................................31 COSMETIC, BEAUTY & HEALTH Dia Wipes.. ............................................................17 Forever Living....................................................................25 EDUCATION Kip McGrath.. .........................................................29 Leaders are Readers..........................................................24 ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Woodlands...................................................................35 ELECTRICIANS AES Electricians...............................................................4

MUSIC/DANCE & SPORTS/FITNESS Dartford Bootcamps............................................................4 Dartford Wing Chung .........................................................43 Hatha Yoga .......................................................................31 Peaches Personal Training .....................................................4 Monkey Music.. ..........................................................7 Tennis Tots.........................................................................43 OPTICIANS Linklater Opticians.............................................................16 PICTURE FRAMING Craft Frames.. ...........................................................39 PLASTERERS Craig Baker...................................................................34 STOVES AND FIREPLACES The Stove and Fireplace ....................................................19 WEBSITE AND DIGITAL DESIGN DS Brochure Webdesign.....................................................19 DH Design.........................................................................31 VOLUNTEERING West Kent Befriending Service.......................................25

ESTATE AGENTS GPS Lettings....................................................................17 Wisdom Estates..............................................................33 FASHION Ahadi Fashion..............................................................33 GARAGES & VEHICLE SERVICES Shenley Road Garage..........................................................39 E C Bate ...........................................................................29 GARDENING SERVICES Hawley Garden Centre .......................................................27 JEWELLERY Bradleys............................................................................34 LOCKSMITHS/HOME SECURITY Dartford Locksmith.............................................................39 LEGAL SERVICES Dartford Legal .................................................................31 LOGISTICS FD TRANSPORT ...........................................................47 in advertising?

Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com InterestedInterested in advertising?

Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com Dartford Living

55

Where to go locally...

...local events, clubs & groups

Parent & Toddler Groups (Term Time) Mondays 1:15pm - 2:30pm. Brent Methodist Church, St Vincents Road, Dartford.

9:15am - 11:00am. St Anselms Church Community Centre, Dartford. Contact Julie on 01322 291092.

St Mary’s Greenhithe Church Hall, Messy Makers:10.15am-11.15am - an hour of messy play and creative activities for 2-5 year olds. at messymakers@gmail.com or call London Road, Greenhithe. £4.50 per child. For further information and to book, please emailus 07851 150593.

Tuesdays Catherine on 01322 220036.

Session 1: 9.15-10.45am, and Session 2: 11-12.30pm. Christchurch, Crossroad, Dartford. Contact and drinks. John 01322 272649.

Little Fishes: 12 - 2pm, Net Church,, (Formerly Gala Bingo Hall) Dartford, £3 per family including all snacks information. further for 288434 (01322) on us call Please Dartford.

Street, Hythe 9.30am -11.30am. The Salvation Army, 66 school children up to 4 years pre For children the for time snack healthy and ,biscuits tea Sticky Fingers, 9.30-11.30 am £1.50 per adult includes reenhithe.com www.stmaryg see or 382031 01322 St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall London Road Greenhithe Contact Wednesdays for further information.

9.30am -11.30am. The Salvation Army, 66 Hythe Street, Dartford. Please call us on (01322) 288434 Thursdays The Vineyard Centre, 24 Market St, Dartford. Contact Jane on 07956 430244 for further details.

9:30 - 11:30am. St Paulinus Church Hall, Manor Road, Crayford.

- facebook.com/ToeRags 9.30-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 1-2.30pm Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers Fridays 9.30-11am Baby and me for expectant mothers and mothers / carers of chidren up to 2. £1 per adult reenhithe.com St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmaryg - facebook.com/ToeRags Walkers Non £1 9.30-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child jeannehoadley@yahoo.co.uk 380322 01322 Jeanne Greenhithe.

9.30-11.30 Carer & Toddler Group, St Mary’s Church Hall, Stone Place Rd, 1-3pm Gigglekidz, Tree Estate Community Centre on Cedar Road - £2 Per Child Saturdays

healthy snack time for the children.

Daddy and Me 9.30.-11.30am A group for dads and male carers of children up to 5years. £1.50 includes reenhithe.com www.stmaryg see or 382031 01322 Contact Greenhithe.

Road London Hall, Church St Mary Greenhithe

Toddler Music & Rhyme Sessions

MONDAYS Jo Jingles Music and Movement classes, Holy Trinity Church Hall, High Street, Dartford.

Booking needed - phone Gill on 07525 865030. Other days/venues available.

MONDAY S 10:30am - 11:00am & Friday 2:15pm - 2:45pm at Dartford Library - Baby Bounce & Rhyme Time TUESDAY S 2 sessions, from 9.30-10.30am and 10:45 - 11:45am in Fleetdown FC Hall; Heath Lane, Dartford. Contact Judi: 07970 730736. ALSO RUN SAME PLACE/TI ME ON THURSDAYS TUESDAY S 10.30m - 11.00am (term time only) at Fleetdown Library - Baby Bounce and Rhyme session. Tel: 08458 247 247.

THURSDAYS (term time only) we will be holding 2 sessions - 10.15am & 11am Crayford Rd, Crayford, DA1 4ER. Tel: 020 8303 7777. Also: Coffee and Chat sessions at Temple Hill Library on the First Tues of the month 10am - 12noon.

THURSDAYS 10.30am - 11.00am (term time only) at Fleetdown Library - Baby Bounce and Rhyme session. Tel: 08458 247 247.

THURSDAYS 2.15 - 2.45pm (term time only) at Greenhithe Library - Baby Bounce and Rhyme session. Tel: 08458 247 247.

THURSDAYS 10.45am - 11.15am (term time only) at Longfield Library - Baby Bounce and Rhyme session. Tel: 08458 247 247.

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MUSIC UMBRELLA

Classes for under-fives teaching the basic elements of music through whole body movement, using the Dalcroze and Kodaly methods. With action songs and games, using percussion instruments and props like hoops, balls and soft toys, the children develop musical, physical and social awareness, concentration, co-ordination and confidence - and have lots of fun! Becket Sports Centre, Thursdays during term time : babies 9-9.40am; toddlers 9.40-10.20am; 3&4 years 10.20-11am Contact Myrtle : 07763 378451 Email : myrtlebm@hotmail.co.uk

DARTF ORD LADIE S PROBU S CLUB

A group of retired ladies meet locally for lunch on the 4th Wednesday of each month,. They raise funds for charity and usually invite a speaker. Join them and enjoy meeting and making new friends. If you would like more information please contact Iris (Secretary) on 01474 703448

Hartley Swimclub at White Oak Pool, Swanley We are a friendly group of adults who meet for a social swim every Thursday at 9pm. We’re looking for new members. Why not give us a try?

Contact Diane on 01689 871846 or join us one Thursday.

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Where to go locally...

YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSES Every Thursday from 10.30am to 12.00pm at Peppercorns, 3 Orchard Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2DF. For more information please call The Hope Group on 07580 615206.

AND LEARN KICK BOXING KARATE!

th Kent’s Come and Join one of Nor Martial ul essf succ t mos and fastest tion, Arts clubs. For more informa just or 104 513 03 079 on call Saj ions come along to one of our sess t mos the h Wit fun! the in and join ’ll reasonable fees around, you rdable find that training can be affo our too! For all details please visit website www.northkentkarate.com

...local events, clubs & groups

Sunday 10:45-12:00, Sussex Road Erith.

Ages 4-16 welcome 07903 590515

Dartford Orienteering Club

For more details see www.dfok.co.uk Dartford Bellringers Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Wednesdays 8.00-9.30p.m. Free tuition with a very friendly, sociable group.

The ideal way to make new friends. Phone Ester 01322 220458 or email: esther.correia1@ btinternet.com

GUITARS IN THE SHADOWS – JOIN IN MUSIC BY THE SHADOWS TO 60S TO ROCK N ROLL

Meet at Dartford Working Mens Club (Essex Road) at 7.30pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. Membership is free but we do ask for a small contribution to costs on the night. Call Ray on 07813 540131 or email guitarsinshadows@hotmail.com

Dartford Gymnastics

is the only British Gymnastics Club in Dartford to hold the”GymMark” Award for 6 years.

Based in Heath Lane, we are a friendly club with super equipment, great coaches and high standards.

We do lots of competitions and we do not close through the holidays!

Visit our website http://www.dartfordgymnastics.co.uk/ for full details or contact Linda on 01322 409312 or email dartfordgymclub@yahoo.co.uk

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LITTLE TIGERS - KARATE FOR

Erith Youth Rugby

3, 4 & 5 YEAR OLDS Sundays 10:15-10:45 at Swanscombe Leisure Centre.

Call Saj on 07903 513104

BEXLEY AND DARTFORD BRANCH PARKINSONS UK For people with Parkinsons and their carers.

We have 2 meetings per month. Bexley: 4th Thursday of each month, at Pincott Hall, 2-4pm. Dartford: 2nd Thursday of each month, Mick Jagger Centre, 7.30-9.30pm.

Information support workers available, guest speakers and quizzes. Contact Pamela Childs 0208 303 8971

Crayford and District Probus Club

meet on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at the Falcon Wood Club, 1 Falcon Wood Avenue, Welling at 10am.

Contact Tony Maun 0208 306 1075 or

email Crayford.Probus@gmail.com.

Dartford & District Stamp Club Hold regular meetings in The Meeting Place, The Orchard Shopping Centre, Dartford.

Details from Steve Alpe 01322 284491 or email steve_alpe@hotmail.com

SHORNE FLOWER ARRANGERS

Our Club presents a programme of workshops and demonstrations in a very informal and friendly atmosphere. We meet on the last Thursday of each month except December. Shorne Village Hall, The Street, Shorne. DA12 3EA. Visitors are always made very welcome, entry £3. We have 30 members and look forward to welcoming anyone who loves flowers. The Club provides an opportunity for people to be creative, make friends.

For further information please phone 01474 353405 or email landaclatworthy@btinternet.com

MALE? AGED 18 - 44?

WANT TO HAVE FUN AND DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE WITH YOUR SPARE TIME? We’ve arrived in Dartford and we are a NEW Round Table Get involved, you WILL enjoy it! www.dartfordroundtable.co.uk Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Would you like to promote a local activity on the “Where to go locally...” page?

If so, email your suggestions to editor@dartfordliving.com The West Kent Book Club meets once a month on Saturday mornings at Dartford Library. For more information, please call 07860 963333 or find us at www.meetup. com/West-Kent-BookClub/

The Dartford Chess Club

The club meets every Thursday evening from 7.30pm at St Anselms Parish Hall, West Hill and was founded 100 years ago in 1914.

All queries to Mike Wiltshire at 01322 272152 or visit www. dartfordchessclub.co.uk

ALL DIRECTIONS

is a community learning organisation for adults and young people aged 16+ with physical, learning and mental health difficulties. For more information, attend a taster session or visit our community lunch club, contact Caroline on 01322 440482 or 07570 347612

Dartford Floral Club

The club meet on the 3rd Friday of the month at Hawley Pavilion, Hawley Rd.(opp Papermakers Arms) at 7.30 Come along for an evening of beautiful flowers, fun and friendship. Entrance £6.00, refreshments and a raffle with the chance to take home a beautiful floral arrangement.

Contact Chris 01322 836026

WEST HILL MOR RIS

Come and join your local Morris side, dancing and performing in Dartford, Gravesend and Bexley areas and throughout Kent in the Summer. We are a mixed and very sociable side, and can always find room for new dancers and musicians. It’s a great way of keeping fit and you’ll be helping to conserve a great English tradition. We practice alternate Tuesday evenings at Bexley, from September to April, then dancing out at pubs, clubs and fetes, throughout Kent, from May to August. Private Bookings taken. Contact Alison on 01322 862298, e-mail alisondukes@ btinternet.com

Fairfield (Dartford) WI 2nd Tuesday of every month, Dartford Girls’ Grammar School, 7.30pm. Contact Judith on 01322 278703 or Evelyn on 07891 061609.

Crayford Women’s Institute 1st Thursday of every month at 1.45pm.

Baker Trust Hall. Maxim Road, Crayford (near Sainsburys). Contact Secretary, Jean Monk 01322 557142

MODERN LINEDANCING CLASSES at Dance Union, Greenhithe.

Wednesdays 1pm - 2pm. Fun, social class learning routines from differing genres to popular music providing exercise for body and brain. No dance experience or partners necessary. Contact 01322 387630.

Age UK, Crayford library Pop in Parlour coffee morning every Friday morning 10.30 - 12.30 Tea, Coffee, Biscuits and a chat - Just £1 The North West Kent Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association meets at 8pm on the 4th Wednesday evening of each month in the Pop-In Parlour, Mill Road, Northumberland Heath, Erith. The meetings last about 2 hours and the group often have a speaker on a variety of subjects, followed by tea and biscuits and general chat. For more information contact Eileen on 01322 228169.

Dartford Quilters meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford.

We run a varied programme of activities suitable for the beginner through to the more experienced quilter. More details can be obtained from the club secretary on 01474 834872 RSPCA KENT, NORTH WEST BRANC H FREE MICRO CHIPP ING

RSPCA Kent, North West Branch, offers free micro chippings for all domestic animals at its clinic at 37 Gordon Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2LX on the 1st Saturday in each month, 10am to 12.30pm. The service is free but donations are appreciated. For more information please visit www.rspca-kentnorthwest.org.uk.

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

9

Where to go locally...

TONI MOUNT HISTORY CLASSES

The group meet every week at Towncentric in Gravesend and this year we are looking at Everyday Life in Medieval London. We meet every Thursday from 10.30-12.30 at £6.00 per week customers can phone me on 01474 355676 for more information or look at my website www.tonimount.co.uk

YOGA WITH EMMA

Wednesdays & Fridays 9:30am-10:30am At Europa Gymnastics Centre For more information please contact Emma: emma@samadhi-yoga.co.uk TEL: 07932 621415 www.samadhi-yoga.co.uk

** Players Wanted **

Swanscombe Tigers U9’s for season 15/16 Coaches are FA qualified and CRB checked Come along have fun and make new friends For more info contact Lee McCarthy 07591155536 Mark Trowbridge 07890611829 or email lrwmccarthy@hotmail.co.uk

RELAXATION An Introduction to many different types of alternative therapies for the Mind.

Can help with: Insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety, nerves, pain and much more

Contact Janet at jtmason22@googlemail.com or 01322 311415 / 07837 413229 for more information visit www.janetslifecoaching.vpweb.co.uk

...local events, clubs & groups The National Women’s Register

The National Women’s Register (NWR) is a national organisation that meets in the Dartford area. The NWR is a discussion group for ‘lively minded women’. Contact can be made via www.nwr.org.uk or call 08454 500 287 and ask about the Dartford group.

CRAYFORD TOWN ARCHIVE incorporating Barnehurst and Slade Green. Meet every Monday (except the third Monday) of the month at Crayford Library hall - 2pm-4pm. Call in for a chat about old Crayford and to view the large collection of local images, or bring your own for us to copy.

Kent Exiles American Football Club www.kentexiles.co.uk.

Coach Martin - 07944 730634.

All ages from 7 years to adult welcome

The Rotary Club of the North Downs

They meet at the Holiday Inn, Black Prince, Thursday evenings

7:30pm for 7:45pm for Dinner and fellowship. For details phone 07759 863836.

North West Kent Family History Society

The Dartford Branch meet at the Technology College, Heath Lane, For more information see www.nwkfhs.org.uk

DART FORD LIONS CLUB

1st Tuesday of every month Dartford Conservative Club Spital Street, Dartford DA1 2DT. Meeting start at 20:00.

Further details call Cathy 01322 618640

Dartford Art Group

We meet every Thursday evening from 7.30-9.30pm.

We meet at the What if...? Gallery 67-69 High Street Dartford DA1 1DJ. The cost to belong is £40 per annum. For further enquiries please email ruthghoward@aol.com or ring 07940 836672

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The Rendezvous Club (50+)

Every Monday Time: 8pm - 10pm Location: The Pop in Parlour, Graham Road, Bexleyheath DA6 7EG we enjoy a Description: We are a friendly social group open to anyone over fifty. As a social group number of activities including bingo, a Beatle drive, quizzes, to name but a few.

On occasions We also take part in outside activities including going for a meal or a trip to the theatre. we welcome a guest speaker.

Admission: ÂŁ2.50 per week. Annual membership ÂŁ6 (payable in January ) Tel: 01322 287356 or 020 8304 6414

WHEELCHAIR EPEE FENCING

Wheelchair epee fencing in Dartford and Gravesham, we are delighted to announce that New Ash Green Epee club, can now introduce wheelchair fencing. If interested in taking up this para sport please contact us on 01474 871484 or alternatively look at our website www.nagfencing.eu

PAVI LION PLAY ERS

Is an amateur dramatics group based at the Joydens Wood Community Centre, Wilmington, Kent. We meet every Tuesday from 8-10pm. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/pavilionplayers or call us on 07505 006539. Alternatively just pop down on a Tuesday night! Everyone welcome!

SING AND SIGN MUSIC CLASSES NEW Babes (0- 7 )months, stage 1 8-13 months and Stage 2 14 - 26 months Fridays and Saturdays- Dartford High Street 9.40am - 12.30pm Contact Jenettehawkes@outlook.com 07958455699

The Ente

Eyns Vs

The L All-St

Haven (LGBT) Social Group.

London / Kent area. Every Friday - a safe Place to Meet.

For more information please contactSuperb corporat 01322 287356 or 07503 306467 or email packages - havenx35@gmail.com

available

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Eynsford C

Where to go locally...

...local events, clubs & groups SCRA PPY DAYS! A SCRA PBOO KING GROU P

is being held at Hawley Pavilion, Hawley Road, Dartford, DA2 7RB on the 2nd Sunday of the month between 2pm and 6:30pm. It costs £6 which includes refreshments, nibbles and the use of a cricut (cutting machine for those that don’t know).

Beginners are very welcome. Contact Michelle on 07910 488428 or email scrappydays@hotmail.co.uk

NHS RET IRE MEN T FEL LOW SHI

P Dartford & Gravesham Branch Meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Masonic Hall, West Hill, Dart ford from 10-12pm.Activities include guest speakers, outings, lunches, holidays and quizzes.

For more information contact Marion on 01322 402967

The Players Crayford We meet every Tuesday at 8.00 in the Community hall (opp St Paulinus church) Crayford. We are looking for anyone who could help us with sound, lights, scenery or singing/acting on the stage - everyone welcome. Email me (Carolyn) for more details at c_sawyers@hotmail.com.

The Annual Hartley Jazz Picnic for Arthritis Research, takes place on Sunday, 28th June 2015 at Manor Field, Church Road, Hartley, Kent DA3 8DT at 12noon-6pm.

Alan Dedicoat, the voice of the Lottery Balls, will be hosting the Rhythmakers Jazz Band and the Roy Richards Big Band and there will be a host of stalls and other attractions.

For information visit www.hartleyjazzpicnic.co.uk or call 01474-703455

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Useful Numbers

DART FORD U3A (UNI VERS ITY OF THE THIR D AGE)

meets on the first Tuesday of every month (except August) at St Anselm’s Church Hall, West Hill, Dartford at 2pm. For information about meetings and interest groups call 01474709068 or visit our website.

Hi all, if you went to DSTC, DTC, Dartford West Girls or any other name that the school has been known as we would love to hear from you! The school is looking to make links with former students to help raise the profile of the school but also as a way of getting back in touch with people. There will be an event later on in the academic year and we are planning some exciting things for the group so get joining and let’s get reminiscing!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/DSTCAlumni/

Little Bright Sparks

Fun phonics, literacy and numeracy classes for 2-4 year olds. Classes held on Weds in East Malling and Thurs in West Kingsdown £5.50 per class 07768 447657 for more info www.facebook.com/littlebrightsparks http://www.babysign.org.uk/

a b c +=

COLUMBINE CHINA PAIN

TERS CLUB

meets on the 1st and 3rd Thu rsday each month at Sutton at Hone Village Hall . 1.30pm until 4.30pm. £2.0 0 per afternoon. £10.00 yearly fee.

We are a small, friendly club , not expensive. Tuition give n. All supplies can be bought in situe. Com e and see if you like it, free tea And biccies. You will be very welcome.

Contact - Maureen Beckham 01322 287214. Marie Blake 01474 704581. Doreen Goddard 0147 4 707357.

LOCAL DOG TRAINING SCHOOL

Established for 36years - No Expensive courses Puppies from 3months - Older dogs any age.

Tel. Barbara for more details 01322 663956

Dartford & Crayford Sea Cadets based at Brooklands Lake Dartford, next to Homebase on Princes Road. We parade every Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7pm9.15pm and is open to new recruits, junior cadets aged 10-12 and Sea Cadets aged 12-18. email dartfordscc@gmail.com for more details.

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Useful Information 24 Hour Kent Dementia Helpline: 0800 500 3014 Alcoholics Anonymous: 08457 697 555 Citizens Advice Bureau: 01322 224686 Crimestoppers: 0800 555111 Darent Valley Hospital: 01322 428100 Dartford Borough Council: 01322 343434 Dartford Police Station (non urgent crime): 01622 690690 EDF Energy Networks Emergencies/Powercuts Helpline: 0800 028 0247 Gareth Johnson MP 020 7219 7047 Gatwick Airport Enquiries: 08700 002468 Heathrow Airport Enquiries: 08700 000123 Information About Drugs - FRANK: 0800 776600 Kent Homophobic Incident Reporting Line: 0800 328 9162 Kent Racial Incident Reporting Line: 0800 138 1624

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Local Sports Clubs Bexley Rugby Club 01322 550142 or www.bexleyrfc.co.uk Dartford Ladies Hockey Club Dawn Hall (Secretary) 07793 777250 Dartford Ju Jitsu Club Mondays, Dartford Girls

14

Local Breastfeeding Counsellors Judianne/Paula: 01322 224072 National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hour): 0808 2000 247 National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 NHS Direct: 111 (free of charge from landline or mobile NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 Report a non-urgent crime: Dial 101 or go online www.reportacrime.kent.police.uk RSPCA Kent, North West Branch Helpline: 01322 286720 Samaritans: 08457 909090 Thames Water Leak Line: 0800 714614 The National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800 1 513 100

Local Libraries

Dartford Library Opening Hours:

Mon to Wed 8.30am - 6.00pm, Thurs 8.30am

- 8.00pm, Fri

8.30am - 6.00pm, Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm

Ashen Drive Library Opening Hou

rs:

Mon 2.00pm - 6.00pm, Tue 9.00am - 1.00p

- 6.00pm, Fri 9.00am -1.00pm, Sat 10.00am - 2.00pm

m, Thurs 2.00pm

Temple Hill Library Opening Hou

Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9.00am - 6.00pm,

rs:

closed Wed & open Sat 10.00am - 2.00pm

LATE NIGHT CHEMISTS BOOTS BLUEWATER: 01322 624780 OPEN MON-SAT 9am TILL MIDNIGHT. SUN 11am TILL 5pm ASDA GREENHITHE: 01322 374100 OPEN MON-SAT 8.30am TILL 10pm.

SUN 11am TILL 5pm

West Kent NHS Helpline: 0800 0 850850

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers GOLF CLUB. Contact: Mr. Pat Grammar School, Shepherds Bowling Club Coleman, Secretary 01322 01322 274111.

Lane. 6.30-8.00 Juniors, 863730. email: pat.coleman@ VCD Table Tennis Club 8.00-10.00 Seniors.1st dartford.gov.uk Eric Jenkins - 0208 3038312. session free www.dartfordjujitsu.co.uk The Ashes ‘Play & pay’, 9 hole, par Dartford Sharks Badminton Club 3 golf course on Dartford Basketball Club Mondays, Dartford Technology Football Club’s Princes Park Tim Dickson - 07855 College, Heath Lane. 7.30site, managed by the Club.

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Members subscribing annually Dartford Volleyball Club Dartford Valley RFC to play the course have formed Graham - 01322 275290 or www.pitchero.com/clubs/ themselves into a small 07984 106134. darenthvalleyrfc/ golf club:- PRINCES PARK Stone Lodge Indoor Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Interested in advertising?

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Established for over 70 years

When diddidyou When you last haveyour your last have checked? eyes eyes checked?

Linklaters has an extensive range of over 400 styles of glasses to choose from. Bespoke spectacles at sensible prices.

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• Misted, cracked or broken glass • Drafts, leaks & condensation • Sticking, loose or broken handles • Window/doors not opening, closing • Patio doors not running smoothly • Cat flap & letterbox fitting/replacement • Lock and key replacement

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting advertisers Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our our advertisers

Winners of “Lettings Agency of the Year”

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Dia Wipes are an essential part of your blood testing routine. Suitable for anyone who has Type 1 Diabetes, or those with Type 2 Diabetes who need to test their blood.

Keep Dia-wipes handy so your blood glucose testing does not slow you down: · School · Office · Car · Beach · Sports · Many more!

Each finger wipe measures 45mm x 70mm. Does not contain alcohol, fragrance or any product or chemical that will interfere with your blood glucose result. 25 wipes in each resealable pack. RRP £1.49 per pack

Available to order from leading insulin pump pouch and diabetic accessory supplier: Funky Pumpers www.funkypumpers.com or www.dia-wipe.com Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

17

Featured

Dartford Litterpickers visit Brooklands Lake

By Richey Estcourt

On Sunday 3rd May, a group of volunteer litterpickers from Dartford visited the Brooklands Lake area, to help with removing some of the litter and discarded waste which builds up at the site.

Brooklands Lake is an area of considerable natural beauty. The site was formerly gravel ponds known as Ellinghams Ponds before the land reverted to Dartford Borough Council, and was subsequently renamed.

The land is primarily used by anglers, but otherwise provides an attractive location for walking, and is linked to Central Park via a pedestrian tunnel. Sadly, a small minority of visitors do not leave the lakes in the condition they were found, and the site is often heavily littered.

This was the third time that the group had visited Brooklands Lake, following two visits in 2014. On this occasion, 21 bags of litter were recovered from the site in just two hours, including broken glass, drinks cans, food containers, discarded fishing equipment, and even syringes.

The Dartford Litterpickers scheme has now been operating for two years. It involves a group of volunteers

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who visit a number of littered areas in the Dartford area, and spend two hours removing litter. These activities are entirely supported by Dartford Borough Council, who provide the necessary equipment, and removed the litter from the site after the event.

If you’d like more information joining a voluntary litterpicking group in Dartford, please visit dartfordlitterpickers.com, or email dartfordlitter@gmail.com

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting advertisers Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our our advertisers

The Beauty of a Sunset By local resident Liz Dyer If I were to ask you for words to describe the Dartford Crossing, I can imagine some of the responses I’d get but I’m guessing not many of them would be about how attractive it is. And before I moved here a few years ago, I would have been the same. But regardless of traffic issues or payment problems, there’s one thing I think we can all agree on; at one particular time of day the Dartford Crossing, and the QEII Bridge in particular, are really quite stunning.

As a self-confessed sunset addict, after I moved to Greenhithe, it didn’t take me long to seek out the best spot to be at my favourite time of day. Tucked behind Asda, there’s a short stretch of riverside walk, offering an impressive panorama dominated by the bridge, one of Dartford’s most iconic structures. Add to that the incredible and ever-changing colours of the sky, reflecting on the often slightly choppy waters of the Thames, and you’ve got a sunset lover’s dream. Well worth taking a two-minute detour on the way home from work, and then boring all your friends on Facebook with yet another album of photos.

One of my favourite things about sunsets is that no two are

ever the same. Even on one day, the colours can change so much from start to finish. And from this particular spot, the view is different each time too, with the tides and passing river traffic ensuring every photo you take is completely unique, with the bridge as a single constant presence.

In winter, I tend to miss the sunset, because I’m still at work or stuck on a train. So I’m very excited that spring is finally here - and that’s why for the next few months, I’ll be regularly making my detour down to the river to take a few sunset snaps. My friends will be so happy.

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Featured Local Organisation

Louise Barkes encourages girls in Dartford to join the Girlguiding adventure

Meet Louise Barkes. Louise is employed by Girlguiding to ensure as many girls, young women and volunteers benefit from the amazing opportunities offered by guiding.

Louise started her role in January and is part of an initiative to ensure all girls and young women can get involved with their communities, grow in confidence, reach their full potential and enjoy the fun and adventure of guiding.

The initiative has been made possible in Dartford thanks to a special fund given to Girlguiding as part of the Youth United network, on behalf of the Cabinet Office. It was awarded to Girlguiding as it is a charity which works to engage young people in their local community and regularly involves girls in positive social action.

Louise who previously worked in Learning and Development and has two young daughters herself said: “I am really excited to be welcoming even more girls and young women to guiding. I’ve met some truly inspirational people who are so keen to make a difference to girls’ lives by volunteering with us and I can’t wait to meet more.”

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Louise is part of a group of Development Workers, employed to reach out to all communities to ensure guiding is open to all. The Development Workers are scattered throughout the UK and set on increasing opportunities for girls and young women, as well as engaging with adults who are interested in volunteering.

Louise said: “We want all girls, wherever they live or whatever their circumstances, to benefit from guiding. It’s an organisation which invests in girls and young women, giving them vital life skills such as team work, leadership and getting them into the habit of taking positive action for their communities.”

Through its campaign to grow guiding, the charity is working to open up opportunities to all girls and young women no matter where they live.

As part of the initiative, Girlguiding allocates grants to help kick-start groups, from helping with training volunteers, resources, uniforms or improvements to a meeting venue.

Girlguiding is one of the leading youth organisations working in partnership with the Youth United Foundation, set up by the Youth United Network in 2012 to engage more young people in their communities.

Girlguiding opens up a world of exciting challenges to girls aged five to 25, giving them the space to try new things and make friends for life. Girls take part in a hugely varied weekly programme incorporating everything from world issues and science to adventure sports and international travel.

If you are interested in volunteering or you are a parent/ guardian or girl interested in joining guiding contact Louise by email at louise.barkes@girlguiding.org.uk or follow her on Twitter @Louise_KW_DW.

Pleasemention mentionDartford DartfordLiving Livingwhen whencontacting contactingour ouradvertisers advertisers Please

DARTFORD LIVING MEETS....... BY KELLY GOLDSWORTHY In the first of a new series, focusing on valued members of the Dartford community, Kelly met Dave Lane, from Dartford Fire Station.

maybe with dementia, who have not got anyone. Seeing people alone, it’s not a nice thing. We have all received dementia training and we do a lot of work with vulnerable sections of the community, trying to help them stay safe.

Anyone with a heart would be affected by it’.

“We offer free safety advice and services to everyone but if you know someone who might struggle to get out of their home if there was a fire – your elderly mum, a parent with a baby or a neighbour with health or mobility issues - give us a call on 0800 923 7000 or email home@ kent.fire-uk.org We arrange to visit them to give them fire safety advice and talk about the things they can do to prevent a fire happening in their home and where necessary, fit smoke alarms. We can also fit alarms with special features such as strobe lighting and vibrating alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. You can also get also get advice on our website: www.kent. fire-uk.org “

Dave, lives in Stone, having grown up in Horton Kirby. He became an on-call (retained) firefighter in 2003 and later joined as a wholetime member of Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Dave explained he had wanted to be a firefighter as a child. “Firefighters were a big part of the community, and I liked that. I did some other jobs after leaving school, and became an on-call firefighter and was lucky enough that an opportunity to join wholetime came up.’

‘The child in you says, this is the best job in the world’ he added. ‘There are challenges, but you get to work with and meet great people. There aren’t many jobs where you work with your friends. People appreciate what we do. Living where you work, and serving the community is a big deal for me. It’s nice to give back. The fact I do a job that doesn’t feel like work is great. Even at the end of a difficult job, you know you have made a difference, and I have to say, nothing beats driving down the road with the blue lights flashing knowing you are going to help someone.’

‘The hardest part of our job for me is seeing elderly people,

Asked for his thoughts on Dartford, Dave replies ‘This is an area that is up and coming: with exciting plans for a theme park in the area. Dartford’s got positive things going on and it’s a community to be proud of.’

Discussing his future plans Dave said ‘I’d like to think I’ll always be on a fire engine! I also run a running group called Free Fit which is a free running club for everyone over 16. It grew out of me helping a mate get fit and people started to join us. It’s another opportunity for me to help the community. It’s for everyone regardless of fitness, and it directly crosses with my firefighter role, as fitness is a key part of the job.’ For more information on Free Fit see www.freefit888.co.uk

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

21

Local News

Lowfield Street - By Steve Keene

On a spring Sunday I found myself in Dartford. I hadn’t planned on being there, but as I made my way into the town I thought I’d take a few photos on my phone.

I entered the town from the south, making my way up Lowfield Street. This street was once a busy street, full of shops. Ten or so years ago Tesco went about buying everything up, promising to level the place and build a new store, to reinvigorate the area, bring jobs, regeneration, all that stuff. They recently decided against that plan. So, now Lowfield Street is made up of mainly boarded-up shops and derelict buildings. This is the Death of the High Street and the Evils of Huge Corporations and all those other Capitalised Wrongs in action.

Dartford was always going to suffer for having one of Europe’s largest shopping centres down the road. Again, the Death of the High Street in action. But there is always a place for local shops. Until they are bought up and left to fall apart, I guess. I felt a little odd pointing my camera at hoardings and boarded-up windows. I took a photo of a St George’s flag fluttering in front of a block of flats.

It felt like a cliché. Taking photos in black and white felt clichéd too, like I was labouring the point. Or maybe

even manipulating what I saw. It was a beautiful day with a clear blue sky, and here I was making the place look drab and gloomy.

There was something a little eerie about Lowfield Street.

It might have been the unseasonably warm weather, that made me feel like I’d wandered from a cool, grey morning into the height of a summer’s afternoon. It might have been the time of the week and the time of day. Sunday afternoons are quiet everywhere, right? Every shop was closed, but I suspect that one or two are still in business, they just don’t open Sundays. One or two properties looked like they had been re-purposed for storage. It was hard to tell with some buildings whether they were in the process of being pulled down, or being patched up. Neither standing nor not standing.

Many of the buildings are pretty old. Even boarded-up and falling down they offered a glimpse of the town’s past. This is how Dartford was once. I’m not completely against redevelopment, but there needs to the promise of something better replacing what went before. I don’t think that happens often. A row of shops still seems a better experience than a generic retail barn.

I made my way into the town centre. There was bunting and people milling about and a lovely view down to the old church. There are moments like this when Dartford feels like a real, distinct town, rather than a blighted suburb, a non-place, a lost place.

There is still the promise there. Just. Sadly, it is probably not in the boarded-up Lowfield Street. But it is still there.

Somewhere.

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Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Stone Fete What better way to promote your business, products or services than by associating with a well established annual community event attended by in excess of 8,000 people? Stone Fete allows for involvement on a number of levels and provides a wonderful opportunity to build your organisation’s profile in the community.

Sponsorship of our fete provides great opportunities for mutual benefit and offers a unique platform to promote your brand, programme or services to a broad audience.

By becoming a Stone Fete sponsor, your organisation is able to demonstrate your commitment to the event and the community at large.

The Fete is a great place for people who wouldn’t have necessarily known about your business to become more aware of the services you offer and we would be pleased to offer you a stall to showcase your products and for you to talk to some of the people who attend the event.

We have offered local businesses this opportunity in the past and have had good feedback from them in terms of new custom and creating a new regular client base, which in return has led to their businesses growing.

Our sponsorship is achieved through support from our partners and requests to local businesses like yourself.

The festival will take place on Sunday 5th July at Stone Recreation Ground between 12pm- 6pm.

We are specifically looking for sponsors to support the open top fete bus, to bring back by popular demand the

man-made beach and provision of children’s theatre and drama workshops.

If sponsorship is something that you feel you may be interested in taking part in please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01322 384400 and we will be able to answer any further questions that you may have.

Stalls are also still available for hire and start at only £10!

Set out your stall at this year’s

STONE FETE 2015 12PM-6PM SUNDAY 5 JULY Pitches start from only £10

“Always pulls a great crowd” “One of the highlights of the summer and we always do well”

t: 01322 384400 e: bookings@stoneparishcouncil.com

Stone Recreation Ground, London Road DA9 9DQ

www.stonefete.co.uk

Interested in advertising?

Tel: 01322 Tel: 507817 Dartford Living Interested in advertising?

01322www.dartfordliving.com 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

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JOHN HARGREAVES

BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES Wide range of building & home improvement services for the interior & exterior of your property.

• BRICKWORK • CARPENTRY •PAINTING • DECORATING • FENCING • DECKING • PATIOS • TILING • GENERAL MAINTENANCE Friendly, reliable, local service.

30+ years of experience working in the construction industry. No job is too small.

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Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Mayor of Dartford Avtar Sandhu MBE The Mayor and Mayoress would like to thank the council for selecting Av as Mayor of Dartford for 2014/2015 and would also like to thank the committees. We would like to thank the schools, business and youth clubs who we have worked closely with.

Av and Sukh Sandhu believe that this has been a real eye opener to the real world and just how many great event occur within Dartford which people may not always be aware of. They would also like to thank all the groups for raising money for all 31 fantastic charities, groups and organisations who have helped exceed all expectations by raising a magnificent £40,000 (at time of print). The

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amount of support from local business and the local community has been phenomenal.

The Mayor has done a few crazy stunts to raise money for his 31 charities including things as walk on fire, abseiling and has even jumped 12,000 feet out of a plane. Av has also taken part in the worldwide trend ice bucket challenge and taken part in an extravaganza stunt show where he was driven on two wheels. The Mayor and Mayoress have also organised events such as the Mayor’s ball, clay pigeon shooting and a charity 60s night to help raise money. Av and Sukh would also like to say a big thank you to the fundraising committees who helped make all these crazy ideas possible. The Mayor is proud to have also been given the opportunity to open local businesses and to celebrate their anniversaries.

The Mayor of Dartford Avtar Sandhu MBE said ‘In my term in office I have attended in excess of 520 events [at time of print].’ The Mayor would also like to thank support from his business and its staff and his family,

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

We are often quick to complain about what is wrong in Dartford but what would happen if we stopped complaining and used our collective efforts to actually change things.

This is the idea behind a new community led campaign which aims to bring groups and individuals together to make everyday improvements that will eventually benefit the town as well as help us appreciate what we already have.

The idea behind the #LoveDartford campaign is simple, if all the groups and individuals trying to make a positive change unite under one vision then our collective efforts are more likely to have a positive impact. There are already lots of great groups in Dartford like Dartford Litter Pickers, voluntarily cleaning up our streets, Dartford Round Table who recently ran a community egg hunt and Dartford Art’s Network who recently held a May Day event in the park.

Of course there are many others but one thing that all these groups have in common is that they do what they do because they love Dartford and they want it to be a

better place for everyone.

The #LoveDartford campaign is not about politics or religion its about the community pulling together to help make Dartford a great place to live. Why should we accept that Dartford is one of the unhappiest towns in the country when we have the potential and passion to change it. If you are proud to live in Dartford then don’t be afraid to show it some love and get involved in the campaign.

If you are a community group that has something to offer the town then show your support by using the #LoveDartford hash tag in your social media and other communications. If you are an individual then there are also lots of ways you can get involved as well. For more information go to www.lovedartford.co.uk and start spreading the love today. Each month Dartford Living will bring you updates on how the campaign is progressing.

1000’s of Home Grown Bedding plants, Basket plants Vegetable plants and Herbs plants Dan Cook BBQ’s here

* Large range of standard & purpose made models * Full range of site services including erecting, base laying site levelling *Free*Site Survey in most areas

A superb furniture collection designed by Katie Blake

Hawley Garden Centre, Hawley Road, Dartford, Kent, DA2 7RB www.hawleygardencentre.co.uk.co.uk Tel: 01322 229521 Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Local News

Helping Those Who Help Others: Wisdom Estates are proud to support ellenor

When Wisdom Estates opened its doors in 2013 Robert Wisdom had a clear vision of the future in serving the community of Dartford and surrounding areas.

Their over-riding objective was to improve the perception of Estate Agency, and to provide the best possible buying and selling experience by giving exceptional Customer Service at a competitive cost of 1% Selling Fees!

Their other commitment was to become an integral part of the local community and to involve themselves, and their business, in local events, organisations and charities.

To date they have supported among others, the Mayor of Dartford’s Charity Appeal, Dartford Round Table, Oakfield and Temple Hill Primary Schools, Dartford Toy Appeal and Dartford Football Club.

In April they helped raise funds for the very successful Easter Egg Hunt in Central Park and are currently preparing to sponsor Gateway Primary Academy Summer Fair in June.

The official launch of the association between Wisdom Estates and ellenor (formerly EllenorLions Hospices) took place at Wisdom Estates offices in Spital Street recently. ellenor provides the best care and support for families facing terminal illness in Kent. Katherine Mobey from ellenor said she was delighted to have the support of the Directors and staff of Wisdom Estates. On the day The Mayor of Dartford offered to come along and support

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the launch, and share in the occasion, as did Tina Dyson from Dartford Football Club.

Diane Wisdom (Financial Director of Wisdom Estates) said she was looking forward to supporting the charity with the the ellenor Donation Scheme, whereby anyone who requests a Property Valuation, and subsequently sells their house through Wisdom Estates, can nominate ellenor to receive £100 of the agency selling fees, upon completion of the sale, simply by quoting the code ELH1 when booking their Free Property Valuation.

When interviewed, Robert Wisdom (Managing Director of Wisdom Estates) said “I hope the people of Dartford will make good use of the Donation Scheme and the service that Wisdom Estates has to offer”. Robert added, “I am extremely proud of the incredible Customer Testimonials that Wisdom Estates continue to receive and, with the help of my dedicated and professional staff, I am confident in leading the company from strength to strength”.

There has never been a better time to contact Wisdom Estates. With their 1% Sole Agency Selling Fee, exceptional Customer Service and £100 Donation to ellenor, from each nominated property sale, why not contact Wisdom Estates today on 01322 272144 or via email: Sales@ wisdom-estates.co.uk www.wisdom-estates.co.uk Make Your Wisest Move Today!

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Help with English and Maths 7-16.

Extension and support.

QualiďŹ ed Teachers.

Ofsted Registered Maths Reading English Spelling Comprehension

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Easy to ride, great fun.

Call in and try one today! electric assisted cycles from: Raleigh Haibike, Benelli.

E.C.Bate, Bates Yard, r/o 52 West Hill, Dartford. DA1 2EU. 01322 220748 Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

29

Local Crafts

Framerstamp

Framerstamp, the home of framed stamps, creates beautiful handmade framed mint sets of stamps for the perfect personal gift.

Why frame stamps? We often take postage stamps for granted but many of them are wonderful miniature works of art. There are also stamps for nearly everything, so when combined in framed sets they reach a huge range of interests to make a really great personal gift. If you or your loved ones are interested in sport, history, animals, flowers, films or just want a great image of children’s favourites such as Paddington, Harry Potter or Winne the Pooh there are stamps which they will love.

We also make framed sets from the year someone was born so you can give a really personal present for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or for Christmas. The oldest set we sell is from 1935 for an 80th birthday gift and we also have mint framed stamps from 1945, 1955 and for any year later than 1965 when special stamps, those showing more than just the monarch’s head really started out.

For example for 40th birthday gifts for people born in 1975, there are framed sets for Sailing, The bicentenary of Turner the artist , British architecture, The 150th anniversary of railways, The bicentenary of Jane Austen and of course Christmas. If you’re stuck for that really hard to buy present, especially if it’s for a guy or for Fathers Day, Framerstamp may have just what you need.

The card, mounts and frames are of high quality and specially chosen to enhance and suit each set of stamps. They are then mounted with a very careful eye and a steady hand to create an appealing design. We have recently been commissioned to sell specialised sets of stamps at St Paul’s Cathedral and hope to expand this aspect of the business in the future through similar specialised projects. Framerstamp sells at many local craft fairs in North Kent and SE London including Bexley, Beckenham, Hayes, Coolings Garden centre, as well as selling at Greenwich Market and specialised shows such as the Steam Fair coming up in June at Headcorn. Prices at markets are all between £15 and £17 and products prompt both admiration and compliments for their attractiveness and appeal.

From time to time we also support local charities with raffle prize donations and regularly update pages on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to highlight stamps relating to relevant news and national anniversaries and events.

If you would like to know more, visit our website at www.framerstamp.com , a more limited range is also available for sale on Etsy and Amazon, just search ‘Framerstamp’. For particular enquiries please email info@framerstamp.com or text 0771 461 1530.

The stamps used by Framerstamp are all fresh mint stamps regardless of the year they were issued.

The article provided by Getthrifthy crafts fairs, who organise craft fairs in Kent.

For more information visit thier Facebook page www. facebook.com/thriftyfairs

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Please mention Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Dartford Legal Services Ltd Commercial & Residential Conveyancing Probate & Wills Commissioner for Oaths Reasonable fixed fees

Regulated by Council for Licensed Conveyancers Fully Insured Tel: 01322 291379 Email: Info@darfordlegalservices.com Website: www.dartfordlegalservices. com

SOLLY HOME CLEANING SERVICES

For your home and office cleaning call SOLA. We are very reliable and offer value for money CONTACT NUMBER 07947171514.

Interested in advertising? Tel: 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

Dartford Living

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Kids Zone

Max's Makerspace

By MicroHackers - A Dartford Edtech Startup

Invisible ink Materials: • 1 x Piece of paper • 1 x Lemon • 1 x Crayon Tools and equipment: • Paint brush • Knife

Instructions: 1. Very carefully slice a lemon in half with a knife.

2. Squeeze the lemon juice into a small bowl.

3. Dip the paintbrush into the lemon juice and paint a picture on the piece of paper.

4. Leave the piece of paper to dry.

5. Your picture will now be completely invisible.

6. Rub the side of a wax crayon all over the piece of paper.

7. Your secret painting will magically apear!

Information: The lemon juice is an acid, which breaks down the surface of the paper. This change is invisible until you rub a crayon over the surface.

Further ideas: Perhaps you could write an invisible note to a friend, and get them to reveal what is written by using their crayon.

www.microhackers.co.uk

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max@microhackers.co.uk

Interested in advertising?

Tel: 01322 www.dartfordliving.com Dartford Living Interested in advertising?

Tel:507817 01322 507817 www.dartfordliving.com

33 25

C B

Craig Baker

Plastering, Rendering & Screeding Specialist • FREE ESTIMATES • 22 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Mobile: 07930 969 903 Home: 01322 220341

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Competitive Rates!

A BAINES & SON ROOFING • New Roofs • Repairs • Tiles • Slates • Flat Roofs • All Lead Work • UPVC Fascias & Soffits • All Guttering • All Work Guaranteed • Insurance Work Undertaken

TEL: 01322 271693 MOBILE: 07971 792463

Please mention Dartford Living when contacting advertisers Please mention Dartford Living when contacting ourour advertisers

A STUDY DAY Sponsored by the University of Greenwich and Hosted by the Bergman Österberg Union

TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE & LEGACY OF MARTINA SOFIA HELENA BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG PIONEER OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR WOMEN FOUNDER OF THE BERGMAN ÖSTERBERG PHYSICAL TRAINING C j.p.harris@lboro.ac.uk COLLEGE later Dartford College of Physical Education

SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2015 9.30am - 3.30pm venue NORTH WEST KENT COLLEGE OAKFIELD LANE, DARTFORD, KENT, DA1 2JT Tickets are £30 email j.p.harris@lboro.ac.uk to book Interested in advertising?

Tel: 01322 507817507817 www.dartfordliving.com Dartford Living Interested in advertising?

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Charity Focus

Each month we will be featuring a local charity. If you represent a charity and would like to be featured please email charity@dartfordliving.com

Demelza Hospice

Imagine never having a good night’s sleep because you have to get up in the night to tend to your sick child.

Imagine trailing tubes around your house and oxygen canisters in the family home. Imagine getting a wheelchair in and out and having to take medication everywhere you go. Imagine caring for your child 24 hours a day, possibly as a single parent and with other children who need your attention.

There are many families for which this is the reality. But there is somewhere they can go to have a rest and let someone else take over. Somewhere fun where their other children can socialise and somewhere there are people they can talk to who understand. That somewhere is Demelza Hospice Care for Children - a charity which offers a unique place of care and support to more than 800 children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families. Each and every day Demelza makes a difference to those who use its services.

With our ethos of ‘adding life to days when days cannot be added to life’, we aim to make every day special and create memories which families can treasure for the rest of their lives. Demelza has a six-bedroom hospice in Eltham, south east London, a 10-bedroom hospice in Bobbing, Kent, and also provides a hospice at home service across East Sussex. Our services include planned short breaks, symptom control, end-of-life care, bereavement support, therapies, family support and emergency respite.

Facilities include a multi-sensory room, hydro-therapy pool, soft play area, art room, music therapy room and an inclusion zone for young adults.

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The charity was set up by Derek and Jennifer Phillips following the death of their daughter Demelza from a brain tumour at the age of 24. Demelza had worked at Acorns children’s hospice in Birmingham and her parents realised the south east was in dire need of a similar facility.

Their hard work in fundraising and publicity resulted in the opening of the Bobbing hospice in 1998. Since then its services have grown – seeing the opening of the second hospice and the introduction of the community team.

Demelza is there to support families throughout their child’s journey and tragically this is sometimes to offer end-of-life care and bereavement support. Families like Gaia’s – who sadly passed away at Demelza earlier this year. The two-year-old had spinal muscular atrophy and had been cared for at our Eltham hospice before she lost her fight for life. Since she passed away, we have been there to support her parents and will be there for as long as they need us. Her mum Rita said: “It’s a very difficult time when you know you are losing your child but Demelza helped me to accept it and talk about it.

“It was a comfort to know everything would be sorted.”

We offer support to many families like Gaia’s who are in impossibly difficult and heart-breaking situations.

While we cannot add days to the lives of our children, we are there for them and their families for as long as they need us.

Demelza relies almost entirely on fundraising, gifts in wills and generous donations to keep its services running.

A donation from you, however small, will allow us to continue supporting families like Gaia’s.

For more information or to make a donation, go to www. demelza.org.uk or phone 01795 845288.

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Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets To PO Emma Katherine Dawson WasMiller husband Mike of KSL Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance who cut the grass and sprayed the weeds. To all our staff who showed up and our cadets who turned up to help at the unit. If I have missed anyone off I do apologies. Our thanks to the Mayor of Dartford Councillor Avtar Sandhu Mbe taking time off from the local elections who visited us for over an hour showing us his support.

We replaced our wooden jetty, our wooden steps, guttering and flashing’s, and added power to buildings on our unit.

We also had Installed a water boiler in our kitchen/galley.

Thank you everyone your support has been very much appreciated by the Chairman ,Unit Management Committee the Commanding Officer Lieut. David Clark RNR and his volunteer staff and the cadets themselves.

Cadet meets the Queen

Well what an amazing 2 action packed days we have had at our Dartford & Crayford Sea Cadets Unit. Our Support Our Ship volunteer working party supported and sponsored

by Hitachi Power Tools UK and organised by their staff member and parent of one of our cadets Steve Massen and co project managed by our staff member PO Bill Jones.

Dartford & Crayford Sea Cadets were represented at the VE Day 7Oth commemoration Service Westminster Abbey on Sunday 10th May 2015, in the presence of HM The Queen, HRH Prince Philip and members of the royal family.

A huge thanks goes to the 4 staff from Hitachi, to Focus Electrical, TW Carpentry, Melvyn Knapp ,Clive Penny electrician, Folkstone Fixings, Toolbank, Wickes, Homebase and their staff member who volunteered his time, Crayford Link, Adam Joy from the Bird In The Hand pub Dartford who brought us a lovely spread of BBQ food to eat yesterday.

Dartford & Crayford Able Cadet Rebecca Holloway, aged 15, undertoook a reading in the presence of HM The Queen.

5 other Dartford & Crayford Sea Cadets actied as part of a 12 cadet unit that welcomed distinguished guests to a reception in a Marquee in St. James Park for 500 veterans that was hosted by the Royal British Legion and attended by the Prince of Wales .

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37 29

Business and Dhiren’s Automotive News Automotive In this edition we’ll look at a new entrant to the small SUV market and two refreshed popular models from German manufacturers

Audi A3

Ultra engine reduces Audi A3 emissions – The Audi A3 1.6-litre TDI Ultra models are now available, and bring emissions down to a new low for the hatchback’s range.

The engine reduces CO2 emissions to 89g/km from a previous low of 99g/km for the Audi A3 range. The A3 Ultra models come with low-rolling resistance tyres on five-spoke 16in alloy wheels and sports suspension as standard. The A3 1.6 TDI Ultra SE and SE Technik models replace the standard 1.6 TDI SE and SE Technik models while the Sport and S line versions remain unchanged.

Pricing for the new UltraPlease models startsDartford at £20,865.

30 mention Living 2015 Renault Kadjar

The Renault Kadjar is the company’s late entrant to the small SUV market, and aims to take on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-5. The Renault Kadjar shares many components with the Nissan Qashqai thanks to the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and is looking to offer something similar to the popular Qashqai. The Kadjar is slightly larger than the Qashqai offering a slightly larger boot space. The 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel is the most economical model offered, with emissions of 99g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg.

The 128bhp 1.6-litre is set to emit 115g/km and averages 64mpg. A 128bhp 1.2-litre TCe petrol will also be offered.

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Full trim and specification levels will be revealed closer to the on-sale date, but Renault says the Kadjar will be offered with a reversing camera, a hands-free parking system, engine stop-start, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning and road-sign recognition with speed limit alerts.

Despite the Kadjar being a predominately an on-road car, it is also designed to cope with some off-roading, as it will be offered with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drive. Pricing is not yet confirmed, but it is expected to be competitive with the likes of the Qashqai and Mazda CX-5, while offering a decent level of equipment. It will go on sale later in the year in 2015.

2015 BMW 3 Series facelift

The facelifted BMW 3 Series is due to arrive in July, and will face competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C Class, Audi A3 saloon and Jaguar XE. BMW has aimed to make its mainstream executive saloon even more agile and involving to drive, while improving refinement and lowering CO2 emissions to make it a more appealing company car choice than ever. The 3 Series’ exterior styling receives only a mild refresh with new headlights and reprofiled front and rear bumpers. The headlights feature LED daytime running lights on all editions. Upgrading to these from halogen examples has allowed the indicators to be moved to the top of the lens. The effect at the front end, when coupled with the larger air intakes and full-width headlights introduced by the new bumper, is to make the 3 Series look lower and wider. The 3 Series Touring gets the same styling tweaks as the saloon. All new 3 Series will come with at least BMW’s Business sat-nav system as standard (6.5in screen), with three years of quarterly map updates for free. The current range starts at £24,200 and it’s likely that the price will be similar for the face-lifted version.

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Tips for small businesses

Each month Paul Conradi, Chartered Accountant at Conradi Morrison & Co, will be giving us his professional advice for small

businesses..

Class 2 National Insurance From 2015/16, Class 2 NI (National Insurance) contributions, like Class 4 will be payable with income tax through self-assessment. You will therefore not have to pay them monthly or quarterly and they will be payable on 31st January each year with your other tax liabilities. As previously, clients with small earnings would only be due to pay if the profits they are making are above the small profits’ threshold, which is the new name for ‘small earnings limit’ and is currently £5,965 for the year 2015/16. Due to the new system, tax payers will not need to complete deferment applications as in previous years.

It should also be noted that Class 2 NI contributions count towards your State Pension and Maternity Allowances. It would therefore be advisable for tax payers with profits below the small profits threshold

and with no employment income to take up the option of making a voluntary Class 2 NI payment, if they have not yet reached the 35 year contributions level required to earn the maximum new flat rate State Pension. It should be noted that Class 2 NI is only for self-employed and partners and if you are a director of a company and wish to ensure that you are entitled to your full state pension, you should pay between £112 and £155 per week as salary.

The Chancellor also stated in his Budget that in the future (probably 2016/17), he would be scrapping Class 2 NI contributions altogether.

As your local Accountant, I would be very glad to meet you and discuss the possibility of tax planning in your business. For more information, please see page two of this month’s Dartford Living and feel free to call me on 01322 278188 to arrange a meeting without charge.

Shenley Road Garage

01322 229887

SAME DAY MOTs (Booking not always necessary)

• Tyres • Exhausts • Clutches • Timing Belt Changes • Petrol & Diesel Cars & Vans Welcome the

Good Garage Scheme

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Garages you can trust. Be assured that every garage listed performs services to a strict

We have a wide range of cars for sale on our website:

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Dartford Living

39

Coffee break

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through to 9, with no repetition.

That’s all there is to it!

(Solution on page 46)

Elimination Diets

F I T N E S S

Food sensitivities are more common than you might think; and they can cause acne, allergies, migraines and more. Elimination diets are a great and simple way to find out if you need to adjust your regular menu. The idea of an elimination diet is to remove certain foods from your diet for a given period (3-4 weeks), and then re-introduce them in a controlled manner, one at a time, to see if you have any adverse reactions to them.

As a basic guide (and it really doesn’t need to be more complicated than this), here is what to do if you suspect you may have a food sensitivity, or have a chronic condition that you can’t figure out the cause of.Cut out the following foods for 3-4 weeks (completely!):Citrus fruits; Tomatoes; white potatoes; eggplant; wheat/corn/ barley/oats (and all other gluten-containing products); Legumes (all beans/tofu/soy/peas/lentils); all nuts and seeds; Beef; Chicken; Pork; Eggs; Bacon; all processed meats; Milk; Cheese; Cream; Yoghurt; Butter; Margarine and other spreads; mayonnaise; Alcohol; Caffeine; Chocolate; Ketchup; Mustard; Sugar; Honey; Syrup; and anything else you suspect may pose a problem for you, or anything you eat on a regular basis (you can actually develop a sensitivity if you overeat something) .

I know this is a big, scary list! But focus on what you CAN have, and remember it’s only for a short time, and the

benefits will be well worth it if you find something that’s been causing you grief for years.

What you CAN eat: Almost all fresh fruit; Almost all fresh, raw, steamed, sautéed or roasted vegetables; Rice; Fish; Turkey; Lamb; Wild game; Unsweetened rice or coconut milk; Olive Oil; Coconut oil; Flaxseed oil; Fresh water; Herbal teas; Sea salt; Fresh pepper; Fresh herbs and spices.

Follow this strictly for 3 weeks and monitor your symptoms/ how you feel. In week 4, introduce a single food/food group for ONE DAY ONLY, then monitor your symptoms for 2 days. Continue this process with different foods and food groups until you figure out what is causing you issues. The fewer foods you re-introduce at one time, the more accurately you’ll be able to pinpoint the problem, but it will take longer.

Pay attention to your mood, concentration, gut/bowels, joints, skin, insomnia, headaches, sinuses, and energy levels.

This is not a restrictive diet (calorie-wise) – do NOT use it as a weight loss tool, but be aware that by eliminating foods you are sensitive to you will allow your body to detoxify more efficiently, and weight loss may occur.

Give this a try and see how you get on.

By Mark Broadbent, Master Personal Trainer & Instructor at Dartford Bootcamps.

Visit www.DartfordBootcamps.com for information on Personal Training, Nutrition coaching or MarkOneFitness.blogspot.com 32 Bootcamp Fitness Please classes. mention -Dartford Living when contacting our advertisers

Gardening Hints and Tips - June Plant of the Month Roses

Plants of the Month Brighten up your garden with our Plants of the Month. During the summer there’s so much to choose from for instant colour, including: roses, buddleia, cistus, deutzia, hebes, philadelphus, lilacs and weigela together with: aquilegia, delphiniums, hardy geraniums, irises and lupins.

Summer bedding June is the month to plant out your bedding and other half-hardy plants. These plants can’t tolerate cold weather and have some fleece handy to provide extra protection. If you’ve grown your own, make sure they’re hardened off first – that is, acclimatised to the cooler outdoor conditions – again, using fleece will help. And water the plants well before and after planting out. Remember to feed regularly for a summer display to be proud of.

Strawberries Strawberries need pampering if you want to enjoy the juiciest of fruits this summer. Water regularly – especially plants in pots or strawberry towers – and feed weekly with a high potash liquid fertiliser.

Also watch out for slugs and birds who love the fruit as much as we do. The easiest way to deter birds is to cover the plants with netting.

Gardening

Cuttings This is a good time to take cuttings of pansies, violas and pinks for a supply of young, vigorous plants for next year. You can strike six or seven cuttings in a 10cm (4 inch) pot using a gritty cuttings compost, or make your own from equal parts peat or coir and sharp sand or vermiculite. Using hormone rooting liquid or powder will improve the results.

Baskets and containers Make the most of your hanging baskets and containers this year and ensure they provide a display to be proud of by using a controlled-release fertiliser and water-retention gel in the compost Check that hanging basket brackets will hold the weight and replace any that are suspect. You could use self-lowering brackets or install a drip watering system to make watering easier.

Greenhouse care As summer temperatures rise, make sure the plants in your greenhouse are looking their best. Shading the glass with Bio Coolglass or shade netting will help keep temperatures at a bearable level.

Automatic vent openers are another worthwhile purchase, as they work even when you’re not at home. Damping down floors and surfaces will keep humidity high and help deter red spider mite and powdery mildew disease.

Spring Bedding Plan ahead for next year’s spring bedding displays Now’s the time to sow seeds of all your spring favourites, including wallflowers, sweet Williams, polyanthus and primroses and winter-flowering pansies. Some can be sown outdoors in a seed bed, while others will need to be sown indoors with gentle heat.

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33

Local Sports News

Calling all Wimbledon hopefuls...

Get ready for Wimbledon with Tennis Tots™ this fun and interactive programme helps kids to develop emotionally, physically, and socially… while picking up the fundamentals of tennis.

for a classroom setting and indeed serves the children well into their school years and beyond. Using a structured approach to each session children learn to listen to instructions whilst having fun and learning about numbers, colours, shapes and letters as well as developing core skills such as running, catching, throwing and balance with the ultimate goal of learning the basics of tennis.

The Tennis Tots™ programme has two stages 2-4 yrs and 4-6 yrs and goes far beyond just getting kids playing tennis, it aims to provide an all round approach for children to develop many different skills whilst learning a sport that can stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Tennis Tots North West Kent is run by Sarah Allan a lifelong tennis player and mum to young children. Sarah is keen to promote health and fitness in all children and believes her Tennis Tots™ classes can do this through the activities and games that are the basis of the sessions. Tennis Tots™ allows those who might not otherwise get a chance to play tennis be involved in this great sport from a very early age.

Incorporating many of the early years learning goals, the Tennis Tots™ curriculum provides a unique experience for children to develop physically, socially and emotionally and helps provide an environment to get children ready

For classes and a FREE TASTER SESSION in North West Kent, please contact Sarah Allan at northwestkent@ tennis-tots.co.uk. For more information, please v i s i t w w w. t e n n i s - t o t s . c o . u k / n o r t h w e s t ke n t

Dartford Invicta Bowls Club Have you ever thought of trying bowls? Why not join our club and have fun with members of a friendly, sociable club?

We invite you to learn a new sport and come to our practice sessions at 6pm on Tuesdays.

Just turn up and bring flat soled shoes to wear on the Green, bowls provided. Experienced bowlers are also very welcome.

The Green is in Burnham Road and the car park is behind at DA1 5BF. Ring 01322 407088 for more information. Ask for Brian Abbett

The Entertainers are coming!

Eynsford Bellegrove XI Vs

The Lashings All-Stars

Superb corporate packages available!

Eynsford CC Common Meadow Riverside Eynsford Kent DA4 0HE

COURTNEY WALSH GORDON GREENIDGE DEVON MALCOLM HERSCHELLE GIBBS And many more!* email eynsfordbellegrovexl@outlook.com or call 07775 888933 for all info *Line-up may be subject to last-minute changes

Sunday August 23rd 2015 - Plays starts 3pm

Tennis Tots is the UK’s leading tennis play and coaching programme for boys and girls aged 2-6 years

To book a free taster contact Tennis Tots North West Kent Call 07796 943798 email northwestkent@ tennis-tots.co.uk

www.tennis-tots.co.uk/ northwestkent

Bav’s Sporting Comment Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally got in the ring together in $300m mega-fight. The six years that had passed since Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao should have originally fought might have built the anticipation for fight night, but it actually robbed us the possibility of a fight that might live up to the hype.

Pacquiao was an old 36, with a pedestrian 3-2 record in his last five bouts entering the Mayweather fight. He faced a size disadvantage that even brilliant footwork couldn’t help. Mayweather was the hype machine. The money man. He was everything a boxing star should be, with all the charisma and magnetism we expect from stars of the sweetest science. Floyd’s problem: He has none of the likability.

Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in a fight that was widely ridiculed by boxing fans for being boring and simply not worth the time and money. Mayweather’s highly defensive boxing style didn’t deliver the excitement many fans were hoping for, though it did improve his record to 48-0.

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Staying up to watch this fight was painful. I sat through hours of boring undercard fights consisting of nobody with any real talent to then watch an underwhelming finale.

Although I can respect Floyd as a technician, the time it took to get this fight on coupled with his boring fighting style meant that the whole thing was a let-down to me, FA Trophy 1st although other fans of the sport may have appreciated Round 13th Dec, 3.00pm more the technically abilities of Mayweather.

(TBC)

Braintree

26th Dec, TBCpm Upcoming events in June include:

6: Football - Champions League final, Berlin 7: F1 - Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal 7: Athletics - Diamond League, Birmingham 11-4 July: Football - Copa America, Chile 12-28: European Games, Baku, Azerbaijan 16-20: Horse racing - Royal Ascot 18-21: Golf - US Open, Chambers Bay, Washington 29-12 July: Tennis - Wimbledon, London

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Dartford Living 43

It’s a long, long way to Tipperary from Flanders Fields Created in the centenary year of the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary from Flanders Fields makes a new contribution to the reawakening of interest in the First World War and its consequences for so many people. The commemorative revue has toured across Kent and been performed in the Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End, to enthusiastic and very responsive audiences. Entertaining, provocative and full of surprises, the show has a special focus on the way women were changed by and involved in the war. Their lives are commemorated in words and songs, familiar and unfamiliar.

American Broadway rubs shoulders with English stiff upper lip; Victorian sentimentality meets ragtime. Poems and letters give us an insight into the experience of war for soldiers, nurses, entertainers, factory workers and mothers. Taking the audience on a journey from the innocence of 1914 to the terrifying implications of Haig’s ‘backs to the wall’ order of 1918, we see war at its most brutal, ironic and poignant. Katapult Theatre Company are bringing It’s a long, long way to Tipperary from Flanders’ Fields to St Alban’s Church, Dartford as part of their continuing tour of the South East. The company was formed in 2010 by a group of Kent based professional actors with the aim of bringing new and original work to audiences across the county and beyond. The piece is just under two hours long with an interval and is sure to appeal to audiences of all ages.

A Great War Revue

It’s a long, long way to Tipperary from Flanders Fields

Performance details Venue: St Alban’s Church, Dartford, Kent DA1 1TF. Date/time: Saturday 30th May 2015 at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £12 will be available on the door or through www.wegottickets.com.

‘Some were patriots, some n u t c a s e s . S o m e b ra v e beyond comprehension, most terrified. Sometimes they laughed and sang at their work.

Sometimes they shivered and trembled and wept. Mostly they just got on with the job.’

For more information on the company and previous productions please see the website www.katapultproductions.co.uk.

Sat 30th May St Alban’s Church St Alban’s Rd Dartford Kent DA1 1TF 7.30pm Tickets £12 Available from

www.wegottickets.com

Or on the door.

Katapultproductions.co.uk

Competition WRC Promotions are pleased to announce Bluesrockfest 2015 The Gravesend Bluesrockfest is fast becoming the must see festival. In its 3rd year the previous headliners have been Larry Miller and Aynsley Lister - This year we welcome Chantel McGregor as our headliner with a star studded line up to support. Albany Down and Troy Redfern are already confirmed with more acts to follow.

We have 5 pairs of tickets to give away.

The question you need to answer is Where is the 2015 Bluesrockfest being held?

Please send your entries to Orchard Theatre Competition, Dartford Living, PO Box 283, Dartford, Kent, DA1 9BW or email comp@dartfordliving.com by the 15th June - 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. Proof of posting will not be regarded as proof of delivery. 5. Winners will be notified by telephone by the Orchard, within 5 working days of the competition being drawn. 6. Employees and the immediate families of participating companies are ineligible to enter. 7. Closing date for the competition is stated above.

N O I T I T E P OM

C

AVENUE Q

Ticket Office

01322 220000

or www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

TUE 23 - SAT 27 JUNE | TUE - THU 7:30PM, FRI & SAT 5:00PM, 8:30PM WINNER OF THE TONY AWARDS ‘TRIPLE CROWN’ FOR BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE AND BEST BOOK, AVENUE Q IS PART FLESH, PART FELT AND PACKED WITH HEART. FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS IN THE WEST END AND SELL-OUT RUNS WORLDWIDE (PACKED WITH MISCHIEF, BAD BEHAVIOUR AND POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS) THIS HUGELY ENTERTAINING SHOW IS HITTING THE ROAD ON A BRAND NEW TOUR! CREATED BY JEFF MARX AND ROBERT LOPEZ (CO-CREATOR OF BOOK OF MORMAN AND WRITER OF THE SONGS FOR DISNEY’S FROZEN) AVENUE Q IS AN IRRESISTIBLY CHARMING MUSICAL WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF THE LOVEABLE CHARACTERS ON A DOWNTOWN NEW YORK STREET TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF LIFE’S BURNING ISSUESDARTFORD LIVING AND THE ORCHARD HAVE TEAMED UP TO OFFER 2 TICKET TO THE SHOW. TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THIS FANTASTIC PRIZE JUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION...AVENUE Q IS SET IN WHICH CITY? A) LONDON B) TOKYO C) PARIS D) NEW YORK Please send your entries to Orchard Theatre Competition, Dartford Living, PO Box 283, Dartford, Kent, DA1 9BW or email comp@dartfordliving.com by the 15th June - 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. Proof of posting will not be regarded as proof of delivery. 5. Winners will be notified by telephone by the Orchard, within 5 working days of the competition being drawn. 6.

Employees and the immediate families of participating companies are ineligible to enter. 7. Closing date for the competition is stated above.

36 Please mention Dartford Living whenwww.dartfordliving.com contacting our advertisers APRIL’S COMPETITION WINNER: THOMPSON Interested inJACKIE advertising?

Tel: 01322 507817

37

DARTFORD LOCKSMITH

SUDOKU Solution

• All Locks Opened, Repaired or Replaced • UPVC, Timber or Metal Door Locks • Insurance Upgrades to BS3621 • Residential & Commercial • Local Rates For Local People

Kick off times & further information can be found at www.dartfordfc.co.uk

Tel: 01322 552363 or 07966 136605

£ 12 adults £6 concessions £ 2 children

CLAREMONT DECORATIVE SERVICES • ALL TYPES OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DECORATING • AROUND THE HOUSE MAINTENANCE JOBS • FREE ESTIMATES • REFERENCES AVAILABLE • RELIABLE, INEXPENSIVE AND QUALITY WORK BY LOCAL TRADESMEN

CAN WE HELP YOU?

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

4638

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F.D. TRANSPORT “FULWICH VILLA” 100 FULWICH ROAD, DARTFORD KENT TEL: 01322 292323 MOBILE: 07831 448552

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Interested in advertising?

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