Dartford Borough Council News

The second annual Carol Concert in Dartford’s Central Park has been hailed a success with over 400 Dartford residents braving the distinctly chilly weather to enjoy this year’s event on Wednesday 14 December.

The Carol Concert, which was free to Dartford residents, featured Dartford Choral Society, the Salvation Army Band (Dartford Corps) and barbershop quartet Voice Male.

Carols and musical performances were interspersed with readings by the Mayor, Council Members and Officers.

Councillor Jeremy Kite, Leader of the Council, said, “After the success of last year’s Carol Concert, we would’ve been daft not to do it again. Wednesday’s concert was great and it was fantastic to see so many of the Borough’s residents turning out again on such a cold night.”

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Dartford Town Centre is getting ready for some festive sparkle as the Big Christmas Switch-On takes place on Saturday 19 November.

A fun-filled programme* of events is planned, with the action starting at 2.30pm in the High Street.

A range of tribute acts will get the party atmosphere going before this year’s special star guests take to the stage with the Mayor of Dartford – Orchard panto star Ann Widdecombe, Chas Hodges (of Chas & Dave fame), Rory the Lion, and, of course, Father Christmas – ready for the town’s Christmas lights to be switched on at 5.15pm.

Councillor Patsy Thurlow, portfolio holder for leisure & events, said, “The town centre’s Christmas tree and lights bring a big dose of festive spirit and sparkle to Dartford. The Big Christmas Switch-On is always hugely popular and we hope this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.”

For full details of the Big Christmas Switch-On, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/christmas/christmaslights or call 01322 343352.

*Programme may be subject to change.

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Notes to editors:
Ann Widdecombe stars alongside Craig Revel Horwood in ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from 9-13 December. To book, visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

Dartford Borough Museum is exploring the Borough’s culinary history in its latest exhibition.

‘Food for Thought’ uses numerous photographs to give a ‘taste’ of local food shops and eating places over the years.

The exhibition also celebrates the 175th anniversary of Mrs Beeton’s birth and the 150th anniversary of her most famous work, ‘The Book of Household Management’.

In addition, an assortment of kitchen utensils from years gone by will be on display.

Running from Saturday 5 November 2011 to Saturday 28 January 2012, admission to the exhibition is free, so pop in and find out more!

When to visit
Dartford Borough Museum is open:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm and 3pm-5.30pm.
- Saturdays 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm

It is closed Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

For more information about the Museum and its exhibitions, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/museum or call 01322 224739.

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This year’s spectacular fireworks display in Dartford’s Central Park will be held on Saturday 5 November.

This annual event, organised and run by Dartford Lions Club, kicks off at 5pm with the bonfire being lit at 7.15pm and the fireworks starting at 8pm.

Advance ticket prices: £4 adult/£2 child

Tickets are available in advance from local venues including:
- Craft Frames, 21 West Hill, Dartford (Tue-Sat)
- Yogesh of Londis, 43 Dartford Road
- Chef’s, Priory Centre, Dartford
- EllenorLions Hospice Shop, Spital Street, Dartford
- EllenorLions Special Treats, Darent Valley Hospital
- Priory Shopping Centre, Dartford, on Thursday 27 October, Saturday 29 October, Thursday 3 November, Friday 4 November and Saturday 5 November (morning only)

On the gate ticket prices: £5 adult/£3 child

Proceeds from the event will go to EllenorLions Hospices and other Dartford Lions Charities.

For more information visit Dartford Lions Club’s website www.dartfordlions.org.uk

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Visit Brooklands Lakes on Sunday 25 September to monitor your fitness levels on Walk4Life Day 2011.

A flat, mile-long route will be clearly marked out around the lakes, which forms part of the nationwide Walk4Life Miles scheme.

By measuring your pulse rate before and after the walk, you will be able to calculate your fitness level. For more information on how to do this, visit www.walk4life.info/about-walk4life/fitness-routes

You can register on the Walk4Life website www.walk4life.info/ and record your improving fitness levels as you complete more walks.

As well as Walk4Life, there are several other events and initiatives taking place in the Borough to help you improve your and your family’s fitness levels.

Dartford was the first town in the UK to sign up to be a British Heart Foundation Heart Town. The charity has a number of resources and lots of information on how to keep your heart healthy and raise awareness at www.bhf.org.uk

The Borough has some beautiful countryside which is great for exploring on foot. If you enjoy walking, why not stride out on a longer walk along the Darent Valley Path or choose one of the Wonderful Walks at www.dartford.gov.uk/wonderfulwalks

The Council’s programme of guided walks also takes in some of the Borough’s best parks and open spaces. The last guided walk for 2011 takes place on Sunday 9 October and explores the fascinating fungi that grow on Dartford Heath. For more information, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/parks/guidedwalks or call 01322 285497.

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Ahead of their performance at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre, the stars of percussion spectacular DrumChasers will be performing for the market crowds at One Bell Corner in Dartford High Street from 12.30pm on Saturday 10 September.

Featuring the voice of Stephen Fry as the narrator, DrumChasers is the new percussion spectacular from the creator of international success Noise Ensemble. Ten virtuoso percussionists and dancers take to the stage in an explosion of sound and light with a story of rivalry, romance and rhythm. Powerful and energetic, moving and funny, DrumChasers is a show for all ages, for both fans of percussion or lovers of theatre, it promises an evening quite unlike anything you’ve seen before.

To find out more about DrumChasers, visit www.drumchasers.com

DrumChasers will appear at The Orchard at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20 September. Tickets start at just £16.00 and can be booked from www.orchardtheatre.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on 01322 220000.

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With the Heritage Open Days drawing closer, now is the time to book your place on one of the specially organised walks, talks and tours.

Three new award-winning venues are offering tours for the first time this year – Bluewater, Dartford Judo Centre and Princes Park Stadium.

Bluewater, the leading retail, leisure and events destination, opened in March 1999 and each week around half a million visitors are drawn to its wide range of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and leisure facilities. The tours taking place on Friday 9 & Monday 12 September will take you behind the scenes of this multiple award-winning destination to discover more about the building itself – its architectural design, history and its future.

Dartford Judo Club is the first purpose-built, world class Judo facility in the UK. Join the tours on Friday 9 September to find out about the design of the building, its Royal opening and its popularity with Judo players from beginner to Olympic level.

The tours of Princes Park Stadium on Thursday 8 September will give visitors a behind the scenes tour of the stadium, covering everything from the players’ changing rooms to the award-winning eco-friendly features.

To book a place on any of the tours, email heritageopendays@dartford.gov.uk or call 01322 343244.

For information on all of the Heritage Open Day events visit www.dartford.gov.uk/events or pick up a leaflet from your local library, Dartford Civic Centre or Café in the Park.

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