Dartford Living March

INSIDE THE MAGAZINE STRAIGHT OUT OF DARTFORD

ODD FELLOWS INDEED

IN A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION

PAGE 6

PAGE 16

PAGE 40

Find a local shop, see restaurant listings, view traffic and travel information, local events and regular societies and clubs, and places to go around Dartford.

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MARCH 2021 - ISSUE 177 - FREE

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BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY

CONTENTS

Dear Readers, Welcome to the March magazine.

We live in strange times, but as usual the magazine is jam packed with lots of local information and local businesses. Please support as many as you can - use them or lose them! Like no time before, your community needs you.

In case you weren’t aware, we run Dartford Living alongside volunteer members of the local community FOR the local community.

It’s the only independently run magazine serving the local area with information, fun, good news and positive local stories!

Please get in touch if you would like to write an article for the magazine. If writing is not for you then perhaps you could volunteer to deliver 100 or so magazines to your local roads you will guarantee your copy of the magazine and get a little exercise as well!

6 Straight out of Dartford 8 Sleep out to raise awareness of youth homelessness 10 Dartford Giving 14 Debbie’s delicious recipe 16 Odd fellows(and ladies) indeed 20-21 Navigating the options for first time buyers 22 Restorative yoga 24-25 Travel Inspiration- with Harden Holidays 28 Fitness March: Why your diet isn’t working 35 Senior Snippets 37 Christians Against Poverty 38 Life under the Stairs 39 Sports Roundup 40 Emily Archer and her amazing dolls 42 Partnership to develops new £1m train platform link 47 Car News 50 Performing & production digital arts facility 54 Useful numbers 56-57 Business directory

If you email editor@dartfordliving.com we will add you to our e-newsletter and you will join 7,000 others who receive a copy of the magazine by email once a month.

Until next time, stay safe

DARTFORD LIVING MAGAZINE PRINTED BY:

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

Front cover photo by Janice Blake

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

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ANDREA ARNOLD BORN IN DARTFORD, KENT (1961) Find out more about Dartford born director Andrea Arnold

STRAIGHT OUT OF DARTFORD

BY SHANNON RANDALL

Andrea Arnold grew up in poverty, her mother only 16 when she was born, which translates into her work as all four of her feature films cover topics of poverty and social injustice.

As people often do with such somber topics, Andrea’s style and films have been labeled as ‘bleak’. Despite the delicate subject matters, she doesn’t like this classification and profusely disagrees with the label. Her films represent reality for a lot of people and although there are dark and rather tough subjects covered, there is always an element of hope and appreciation of life countering.

She chooses to use ‘non-actors’ -people with no previous acting experience- which has a huge effect on the finished product. She was quoted as saying that celebrities take the audience out of the immersion of the film, whilst ‘non-actors’ add a layer of reality you can’t get elsewhere. American Honey -which I would argue was her most popular and well received film- hired 11 of these ‘non-actors’, all who were just normal kids, discovered by Andrea on the streets of America. Not only does this add an element of realism to her films, but it also expands the options given to teens living in poverty, as well as the chance for an opportunity to get into a creative career and to break that poverty cycle.

The reason Andrea Arnold is a director worth noting is due to the methods she uses in her work. Andrea is also known to let her

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actors form their characters without intervention. Directing American Honey she even filmed the entire film in chronological order which is known to be a tedious method of directing!

Andrea is an unorthodox director who uses her past struggles and upbringing to shine a light on an often harshly judged sector of society and its people. This is not easy work to take on, especially using the methods she does and I believe she deserves admiration and recognition for this challenge!

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YMCA CALLS ON COMMUNITY TO SLEEP OUT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS For the very first time, YMCA Thames Gateway will come together with 11 other YMCAs across England to take part in a mammoth virtual Sleep Easy event on Friday, 26 March, with the aim of raising vital funds to help tackle the root causes of youth homelessness.

Dave Ball, Chief Executive of YMCA Thames Gateway, said: “As a year, 2020 was more difficult and heartbreaking than anyone could ever have anticipated, but one overwhelming positive that emerged was the power of community and the difference that can make to people’s lives.

“We know from our own experience over the past 150 years that without the support offered by YMCA Thames Gateway, many more vulnerable young people would be forced to sleep on the streets, with less options and less chance of realising their potential.

“With this in mind, YMCA Thames Gateway is calling on the community to sleep somewhere other than their beds and help raise a record sum of money for this special Sleep Easy event. Please participate, donate and nominate to spread the word: one night can make a lifetime of difference.”

YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of supported housing for young people in England and Wales, providing a bed for 8,800 people each night and collectively helping more than 20,000 people experiencing homelessness each year.

And so, from 7pm on Friday 26 to 7am on Saturday 27 March, hundreds of people across the country will be sleeping anywhere but their beds to raise awareness of the thousands of young people who are made homeless each year, and YMCA Thames Gateway is calling on local residents to join them.

Money raised from the event will go towards delivering much needed support for residents and homeless young people. It will also help fund the charity’s community response, which is currently helping vulnerable families locally with essential food and care packages.

In ordinary times, the charity’s annual sleep out would have involved groups and individuals sharing an evening outside and

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together, and experiencing some of the harsh realities of sleeping rough. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of participants and staff, the charity will be hosting Sleep Easy 2021 virtually this year.

COVID-19 has not just had an impact on homelessness services but on fundraising as well. Traditionally, an event that brings lots of the community together in one place, this year will see people going solo or with their families and swapping the streets for bathtubs, sofas or garden tents. It is hoped that this special collaborative event will help YMCA Thames Gateway raise more funding than ever.

YMCA Thames Gateway operates across several boroughs including Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Dartford, Greenwich, Bexley and Ashford. As a local charity, YMCA Thames Gateway has been serving the community for over 150 years. Whilst their focus is on young people, they work with all members of the community in the belief that everyone should be able to reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

Find out more about YMCA Thames Gateway at www.ymcatg.org. If you would like to make a donation to the charity, visit: ymcatg.org/donate/

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DARTFORD GIVING

By Kate Hargreaves

Like many people, I’ve taken the opportunity afforded by working from home since the start of the pandemic to get a new housemate – a puppy. He’s great company for cuddles on the sofa and also makes my walks around the block to get out of the house far more enjoyable.

“This sounds great, how do I get involved?” There are a few different ways that you can get involved as a volunteer litter picker, so I’ll outline three ways that I’m aware of that are relevant to the Dartford area.

Firstly, you could join an existing group of litter pickers, although this will not be possible until restrictions are lifted. There are a few groups around Dartford, for which you can find details on Facebook, or you can email the council who will put you in touch with the groups they’re aware of, which brings me onto the second way to get involved…

However, our walks are punctuated with frequent commands of “leave it”; my little four-legged companion has really drawn my attention to just how much litter there is on our streets. It’s sad to see, as well as potentially dangerous for animals and young children. Whilst you are arguably doing your bit by not littering in the first place, if you’d like to go one step further, have you thought about becoming a voluntary litter picker?

Litter picker “What is it?” It’s as simple as it sounds – go for a walk, pick up any rubbish you see along the way,

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Contact the Waste and Parks team at Dartford Borough Council, by emailing waste@dartford.gov.uk, and they will provide you with all the necessary equipment including high visibility vests, gloves, refuse bags, sack holders and litter picker sticks.

Equipment can be delivered to you or collected from the Civic Centre.

Once litter collections are complete, just email the above address with the quantity and location of the bags leave the rubbish bag in an easily to help them organise collections. identifiable roadside spot and make sure an appropriate person knows Finally, you can be a litter picker through Sustrans, which is a charity it’s there to be collected. responsible for maintaining the “Would I enjoy it?” The nice thing National Cycle Network, making it about litter picking is that you can easier for people to walk and cycle. see the direct impact of your efforts There are a number of ways you as soon as you’ve done it – just look can help Sustrans, which I’ll save behind at the clean pathway and for another article, but if you email know that you have helped both the volunteers-south@sustrans.org.uk, community and the environment. You they’ll put you in touch with a local also get some exercise and fresh air Community Route Champion (such as my mum!) and will provide you while doing your good deed. with equipment too.

“How much time do I need for it?”

This is an incredibly flexible role and If you have any questions, feel free you can do this whenever, wherever to email kate@dartfordliving.com.

Happy litter picking! and as often as you like.

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MOTHERS DAY SCONES

By Debbie Dickinson

Wake mum up to a freshly baked batch of Scones this Mother’s Day! These take less than 10 mins to prepare, just 10 mins to bake, are a lot easier than you think - and they are delicious!!!

As always with my recipes, try adding different flavours – herbs/ spices or, in this case, dried fruit or chocolate chips?

The secret to fabulous scones is to not ‘overmix’ – just do enough and no more!

What you need: 200g Self Raising Flour 50g Unsalted Butter 25g Caster Sugar 100ml Milk Optional flavours – herbs/spices/ cheese/dried fruit/chocolate chips

Combine together the self-raising flour with a pinch of salt and rub in the unsalted butter using just your fingertips. If you grate the butter or cut into tiny cubes it’s much easier.

Yo u w i l l e n d u p w i t h a fi n e breadcrumb texture.

The scones can be eaten warm or left to cool completely.

We like to pull them in half and serve Stir in the caster sugar. with jam and cream (which you put Slowly mix in the milk until the mix on first is up to you!!!) comes together as a dough.

Enjoy xxx Add any additional flavours now.

Tip on to a lightly floured work surface and press the mixture gently until it becomes flat and about 2cm thick.

Use cutters to cut out your scones – I prefer quite small round cutters.

Squeeze any leftover dough back together, flatten again, and cut out What to do: more scones until all the dough has Preheat your oven to 190°C Fan/ been used. and grease or lightly flour a baking sheet.

Brush the top of the scones with a

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little milk or beaten egg.

Bake in the hot oven for approx. 10 minutes until golden brown and the scones have risen nicely.

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ODD FELLOWS (AND LADIES) INDEED This piece is not about football! Well, not really. During the Covid-19 period, we’ve seen friendships and interest groups move online where feasible, with the Web, Zoom and whatsapp the key lifelines.

trip back after defeat.

As with such groups, the Invicta Whites gives structure to former footballing lonely hearts. Now amid the pandemic, with the Dover-toLeeds-via-Dartford coach grounded and the Oddfellows cheers silenced, the virtual bond is everything.

In almost 20 years of decline since 2001, with fans punch-drunk from disappointments, the Invicta group has been an informal stress counselling network; quasi-Masonic brotherhood (LUFC even has its own ‘Leeds salute’); and congregation whose ‘church’ is a 210-mile hop up north. Glory days having just returned, thankfully this random network of obsessives can connect online to enjoy on-field (well, onscreen) success. And the Bielsa miracle will certainly make getting a Kent coach-load worth of match tickets a tough post-pandemic ask.

When locked down, be it your nursery school Facebook group, your Stones fans Whats App group or the proud Dartford Leeds community, the emotional group link enabled by our devices is invaluable. A mental health prop, even, for members.

So is there anything instructive in this? I suppose it’s just that the joy and pain of shared passions take many forms. And right now is a great time to send that speculative introduction, to take a chance on a local interest group. You may even need to found it! There could be a surprising dividend of new likeminded friends!

A wonderful example is the curious case of the Invicta Whites. Over the past 15 years, has any half-asleep Princes Road resident looked out at 8am on a Saturday to see a full 60-seater Leeds United fans’ coach whizz by? Or maybe an Oddfellows Arms customer been bemused by multi-generational groups of Dartfordians gathered to endure Leeds’ latest TV defeat?

Or, more recently, to celebrate a stylish victory!

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Being an Invicta White in Dartford isn’t sensible, but it’s a lifestyle choice made before members could map-read! And the richer for that.

Let’s raise a glass of Tetley’s to this and all our friendship networks out there. This is a time to stay United.

This community has its origins in East Kent but now spreads across to the county’s Yorkshire end. With over 150 active members and 450 Facebook members, the group is run slickly by committee members in Jonathan Wynne Dartford, Ashford and, er, Braintree Invicta White member (fully paid-up) (long story). On Bayliss coaches the group makes monthly pilgrimages to home matches: match-days of camaraderie, past glories revisited, worst players lamented, on-board entertainment and that buzz at first glimpsing the stadium. And a long

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WHAT IS RESTORATIVE YOGA AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW they are encouraged to adjust themselves, but the idea is that we set ourselves up in such a way that we can comfortably stay in place, in stillness for an amount of time that allows our nervous system to respond.

While most types of yoga leave us feeling relaxed, restorative yoga is a style of yoga designed purely for relaxation and rejuvenation and is especially beneficial for overcoming and preventing nervous exhaustion. Restorative yoga has already been found to help with the management of and recovery from chronic fatigue conditions and is now being recommended to those suffering from Long Covid.

Though we may not fall into the category of suffering from chronic fatigue, over the past 12 months most of us will have experienced elevated stress levels and may very well be feeling overwhelmed and/or emotionally drained. With that in mind, there’s no better time to explore restorative yoga as a means to re-balance and nourish our battered nervous systems.

P i o n e e re d b y B KS I ye n ga r, restorative yoga is mostly practiced lying down with the body fully supported by props. Physically this yoga is not about stretching or strengthening the muscles, but instead about supporting the structure of the body so that the muscles can completely

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release and the body feels held by the support. In the feeling of being completely held and in the possibility of our muscles fully releasing and relaxing, the nervous system starts to respond, down regulating and moving into the tone often termed as rest, digest and heal.

Yoga bolsters, blocks, blankets, eye pillows and straps allow me to set up my students in fully supported positions, but as my classes are currently online everyone has got creative using cushions, pillows and folded up towels to allow them to support their bodies fully. Once the body is fully supported in a position, we stay in that supported position anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes. If someone becomes uncomfortable

Many people find restorative yoga sends them into a state of deep relaxation very quickly, but for some it’s not initially easy to get their mind around the concept of being still and it may take a few sessions to become familiar enough to let go.

For me, restorative yoga feels like a process of undoing.

Although it looks and feels very restful, the practice resets our energy levels leading us to feel refreshed and revitalized, more able to get on with the stuff we need to do and to feel we can cope more easily. As lockdown begins to lift and we are asked again to adapt to a new situation, what better time than now to explore this nourishing, soothing, reenergizing style of yoga.

If you are interested and want to know more about restorative yoga, please do get in touch (SEE ADVERT PAGE 27). I am always more than happy to talk about yoga.

Take good care of yourself, Clair.

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TRAVEL INSPIRATION: JAPAN

By Harden Holidays

There is sunshine in the sky and hope in the air that travel will be possible form June/July onwards. We fell optimistic that, with the way the vaccination program is progressing here in the UK and around the world – we will soon be able to enjoy the thrills of travelling and exploring our beautiful world.

With spring firmly knocking at the door made me think of my favorite place this time of year – Japan with it’s fantastic sakura – cherry blossom season. Every spring, the islands of Japan are decorated in clouds of delicate pink as cherry trees blossom with new life. Steeped in history and ancient tradition, the cherry blossom season is a highlight of the Japanese calendar. People head outdoors to spend time appreciating nature’s beauty, ponder the essence of life and welcome the changing of the seasons.

In recent years it has become a particularly popular time for travellers to visit Japan with many stunning landscapes and countless photographic opportunities.

Travelling to Japan is always an exciting experience, regardless of whether you are a first-time traveler or an experienced traveler.

There is so much to do and see in this country, with such a long and rich history, amazing food and interesting culture.

However, with so much to see, it can be hard to know where to start in planning a holiday in Japan. Many people have been in this exact position, trying to find the best way to experience Japan in a limited amount of time. And so, the Golden Route evolved.

The Golden Route is a common itinerary used by those travelling to Japan for the first time, and often used as a base to expand travel for those on a repeat visit. It usually consists of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as the three main cities to visit. Sometimes an extra stop, usually Hiroshima, is added to the end of the route. Overnight stops can also be added on the journey between Tokyo and Kyoto, as it is the longest leg of the journey and bypasses Mt. Fuji. However, the very core of the Golden Route is Tokyo,

Kyoto and Osaka, three very different cities with very different characteristics.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is usually the first place people think of when planning a trip to Japan. It is the most densely-populated city in the world and is a bustling hub of business, pop culture, fashion and art. As the home to a number of Japan’s most iconic sights, Tokyo holds a strong appeal for a wide range of travelers. Some of these include the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan and tallest tower in the world. The Tokyo Skytree is a symbol of futuristic modernity and development.

Tokyo is also well-known for it’s thriving fashion district of Harajuku. A number of trends begin in Harajuku before sweeping the world. Harajuku is split into two main areas and while Takeshita Dori is largely populated by teen fashion and pop culture, Omotesando is the more grown-up, luxury version.

Often known as the Champs-Elysees of Japan, Omotesando is a popular spot for trendy cafes and luxury flagship stores. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is an iconic image of Japan, and can be seen as representative of Tokyo as a whole; a crowded, bustling city with something new to see in every direction.

The Shinkansen (bullet train) runs regularly from Tokyo to Kyoto and generally takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Kyoto was the capital of Japan until

the mid-1800s and has preserved a lot of history in the many traditional sites in the area.

Kyoto has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, one of the largest numbers of any city in the world, and each is unique and culturally rich. Some common favourites are Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji; the Gold and Silver Pavilions.

These were designed as sister temples, but are very different in appearance. Kinkaku-ji is covered in gold leaf and looks over a calm, tranquil lake with a background of forest, creating a contrast between the bright manmade temple and the natural surroundings. However, Ginkaku-ji is a lot more ‘simple’, and has a lot of features that fit closely into the Zen Buddhism mindset. Fushimi-Inari shrine is also one of the most important shrines in Japan. It is famous for the thousands of red vermillion torii gates lining the paths behind the shrine. These are such important parts of Japan’s history and culture that Kyoto is a must-visit for all who visit Japan.

Kyoto is quite close to Osaka, a mere 12 minutes by shinkansen.

It is also possible to take a regular train, taking anywhere from 20 – 40 minutes. Osaka is the known as the ‘kitchen of Japan’ and is home to some of Japan’s best cuisine. This includes okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake-omelette with cabbage, meat and various other toppings mixed in and takoyaki,

fried balls of dough with octopus inside. Osaka prides itself on it’s food and hospitality, but also it’s eccentricity. It has a variety of quirky areas and features, including Shinsekai, an area designed in the early 1900s to be a mix between New York and Paris, Americamura, ‘America village’, an area of shops and cafes taking large inspiration from popular American culture, and Dotonbori-suji, a street of restaurants, almost all with their own very large mascot at the front of the restaurant turning the street into a procession of cows, dragons, blowfish and more. Osaka is the kooky aunt of Japan, full of fun quirks and good cooking.

Together, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto form the Golden Route.

It is named so for a reason, over years of people visiting Japan, this route has emerged as a tried and true crowd favorite. Each of the cities brings their own charm and contribute to an amazing experience of Japan. Even better, the Golden Route isn’t a rule.

Many people add in day trips, extra stops between Tokyo and Kyoto, or an extra stop at the end. It provides a good base with room for personalization, making it ideal for any traveler.

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Full-time, experienced, qualified yoga teacher, teaching practical yoga and meditation classes in the local community and now online.

When Government advice allows, the regular schedule of in person group classes in Hextable, Swanley, Sidcup and Bexleyheath will resume. For now, all regular group classes are being held online.

Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher and British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course Tutor, I am qualified and experienced in making yoga accessible.

I teach an embodied and practical approach to yoga, breath work and meditation, appropriate for all ages and abilities. You don’t need to be flexible to start!

My classes are friendly, everybody is welcome, so come and see how it feels to tune in and connect yourself and feel better. Please visit my website for more information or email me at clair.crestyoga@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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FITNESS - MARCH Why your “diet” isn’t working

potentially hundreds of other reasons why your diet may not be working) is that you’re trying to replace foods you enjoy with foods you don’t enjoy, meaning you don’t enjoy your food and won’t be sticking to your diet for long.

Be sure to include foods you like, even if they’re seen as being “unhealthy”, just control the portion sizes to accommodate your calorie targets. And it never hurts to try to reduce these not-so-good foods a bit whilst increasing the “healthier” food intake.

There are a number of reasons You claim you’re eating 1,600 calories why people tend to fail in their fat a day (or whatever your target is), loss efforts. but without watching portion sizes or tracking accurately, you could easily be way over this number. If I can’t actually tell you why your fat loss isn’t happening, it’s fair to diet isn’t working without actually say this is the case! seeing your diet, but there are some common mistakes that people make again and again and I’ll go over a People also often forget to count couple of them briefly here. drinks – tea and coffee with milk, cream or sugar all count. Juices, giant Costa’s, a cheeky beer or glass Firstly, you might be reducing of wine… They all count. It’s not calories too much. A calorie deficit just what you eat that has calories. is the basis of all fat loss since to burn stored calories, you need to consume fewer than your body Another common mistake is trying needs on a daily basis, forcing your to do it all through diet. If you body to break down and use stored reduce calories without training and stimulating your muscles, you can energy as fuel.

This may sound odd, but if you drop expect to lose some strength and calories too much, it can lead to muscle mass in the long term. In failure rather than more fat loss as a calorie deficit, your body will do you might expect. This is normally whatever it needs to to save energy. due to the fact that you can’t sustain Since muscles use a lot of energy a restrictive diet for long before you (which your body isn’t getting from crack and break your diet, often with food), your body will eventually start a huge binge that will completely to get rid of this “expensive” tissue, undo any calories “saved”. Basically, leaving energy stores (fat) where you restrict yourself by 500 calories they’re needed, and offloading the a day Monday to Friday, then unused muscle tissue. “treat” yourself at the weekend to a takeaway and a few drinks, a big The result is a loss in scale weight, roast dinner and a pudding – this but a soft, “skinny-fat” look – you’ve could easily add up to the 2,500 lost weight through muscle mass and calories you’ve “saved” during kept hold of your fat stores. Body fat the week. percentage might actually go UP in this case, even if scale weight is Another common pitfall is simply going down! under-reporting what you’re eating (and drinking).

One more thing to mention (of the

For a diet to work, it has to be sustainable, and as enjoyable as possible.

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If it makes you miserable and you crave all the foods you’re missing, it won’t last long.

• Hit your calorie targets with foods you enjoy.

• Train (with resistance) to encourage your body to keep hold of valuable muscle tissue whilst burning stored bodyfat.

• Account for everything you eat and drink when tracking calories.

• Stay as active as possible in and out of your workouts.

• Get help if you need it.

If you want my help, you can contact me though my website or social media.

Mark www.MBonlinePT.com @MarkBroadbentPT

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SENIOR SNIPPETS

By Christina Uppenkamp Home Instead Senior Care

Welcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Christina Uppenkamp, Director of Home Instead in Dartford.

The start of the year is traditionally a time when lots of people focus on creating new healthy habits, so we have decided to take this opportunity to suggest one of our own. Carrying out an annual home safety check is something that you can do in just a few hours once a year and it could help to keep you and your family healthy and safe.

Here are our suggestions for how home? Or ask a family member or friend to test your existing smoke to go about it. detectors to make sure they are still Make sure you have emergency working fine. numbers to hand: Keep phone numbers for the emergency services, Remove hazards to prevent falls: a reliable family member or friend Check each area of your home to see and your doctor somewhere easy whether there is anything you could to access in a hurry. If you keep a fix or move to make the space safer. mobile phone with you at all times, Secure rugs, so that they don’t slip as save your emergency numbers there. you walk on them, move loose wires If you don’t, write them clearly and and other trip hazards and make leave them next to every phone in sure that routes you walk often are clear of objects. If you are wearing a your home. falls alarm, make sure it is regularly Book a fire safety check: Lots of tested to ensure it can help you in fire departments offer a free home an emergency. Have someone check fire safety check and install smoke your outside lighting to ensure you detectors free-of-charge as well. Why can safely see steps and pathways not contact the local fire department in darker months. and arrange for them to visit your

Install safety measures: If maneuvering around the bathroom is challenging for you, or feels unsafe, consider having grab rails installed to help you and putting a rubber mat in the bath to prevent slips. Make sure you have a sturdy banister running along your stairs and consider anywhere else in the home where safety features could make life easier. Social Services or an Occupational Therapist can conduct a needs assessment for you to establish if you require certain equipment to stay safe at home.

Change the code to your safe: It’s a great idea to change the code to your safe annually, especially if you have people in your home on a regular basis, such as cleaners, carers, doctors and delivery people.

You may choose to add additional points into your home safety check.

However you go about it, begin by asking yourself whether you feel safe and secure in your home and what you would do in an emergency, then put in place any measures you need.

If you would like to suggest a future topic for this column please get in touch with Christina on c.uppenkamp@ dartford.homeintead.co.uk or at 01322923750.

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SPRING CLEAN YOUR FINANCES Did you start the year strong, setting realistic goals, despite the pandemic? Perhaps the long, cold winter combined with another national lockdown affected you mentally, physically or financially. Maybe you started the year focusing on getting fitter, healthier and aiming to watch the pennies, but it’s been so hard to stay on track in the midst of the storm of challenges the world is currently facing.

Wherever you’re at, it’s a good idea to take time to review your finances.

Checking in with where you’re at financially can help to relieve stress and gives you the chance to get help sooner, if needed, rather than putting it off.

Remember to also check through your standing orders and Direct Debits and see if there’s anything else you can cut out, such as a subscription you no longer use.

What are you saving for?

Before you start putting together your budget, it’s important to consider your main goals for the year ahead. This may include saving towards a big purchase, or for an event like a holiday (when we can all start travelling again). Then, break down how to achieve that goal.

Although you can start saving by setting aside a specific amount each month, there are other ways to save money, such as shopping around for better deals on services like insurance when it’s up for renewal.

It could be as simple as increasing how much you’re able to save by being savvy when shopping. Just ask yourself the question: what can I reduce, what can I cut out and what can I save?

With your main goal considered, you can then plan how to get there by creating a budget using an online tool such as Money Saving Expert’s budget planner. Alternatively, if you need a little help in learning budgeting tricks and tips, visit capmoney.org to sign up to a free online local budgeting course run by the CAP money Dartford team.

Spending a little time regularly taking stock of your budget is time well spent and will help you move ever closer to your long-term goals.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity with over 580 services across the country delivering debt counselling, money management, job clubs, life skills groups, and support for people breaking life-controlling dependencies. Visit capuk.org to find out more.

What’s next?

To stay on track, it’s important to make reviewing your budget a part of your regular routine.

If it goes a bit awry one month, that’s okay! Identify what went wrong and approach the following month as a fresh start. A budget is never set in stone but is meant to be a tool that you use regularly and review as your circumstances change.

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LIFE UNDER THE STAIRS

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson

AFTER ARMAGEDDON It seems a slightly alarming title for this month’s meanderings, but that is how I’m beginning to view coronavirus, Brexit and the state of the UK in general.

put the washing in the machine. It was 7.30am and that was my day. No other plans at all. I’d done jigsaws, read, cleaned, and sorted out my knicker drawer yet again. Now I had to think of how to occupy the rest of the day. The options were unappealing to say the least. To sit in front of the television or go back to bed. Hibernation looked promising!

I am my own worst enemy at times like this. I absorb misery like a sponge. I also realised not only was I fed up with me, but it wasn’t fair on family and friends to be so constantly negative. Therefore, I sat… and thought.

For months I have been trying to make the best of a Bad Thing but have recently realised by my own thoughts and actions, I’m merely reinforcing the negative side of it.

It is hard to be positive when we are bombarded daily with figures and graphs; given the numbers of those ill, the seemingly illogical decisions made and constantly reminded that the virus mutates.

Added to that is the feeling that post Brexit, the UK is a bit of a joke, and still subject to the whims of a larger EU.

doesn’t help.

It is more difficult to source certain items of fresh food, thanks to border controls and the virus. I am in awe of the many delivery drivers who bring items to our home. They are cheery, friendly, and often apologetic for substitutions and unavailable items. It’s OK people, it happens.

We’ll adapt to a lack of bananas!

There are those whose daily fight against anxiety and depression began way before our current situation.

Perhaps this is a silver lining for us!

We are used to it. It is for all those We miss family and friends and who find such feelings new and for some the worry that their unwelcome, that are struggling. children are missing the academic, social and emotional growth Things hit a low for me one morning; from meeting peers at schools I was up, washed and dressed had

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Initially I considered the positive aspect of the restrictions which rule our lives. Our neighbourhood seems closer. People smile and talk more.

Complete strangers shout a socially distanced ‘good morning’ when out and about. Offers of shopping, gardening and general help have become the norm. It’s quieter and cleaner, thanks to the dedicated few picking up roadside rubbish.

Pre-snow, there were glimmers of life in the hedgerows and garden.

It was life, ‘but not as we know it, Jim’ (thanks to Dr McCoy Star Trek).

We each have our own plans and hopes for the future. It might be seeing grandchildren and other family, a much-wanted holiday somewhere warm, a day’s retail therapy at Bluewater. It is different for each of us.

I created a ‘positivity tree’. It took some days of careful thought to do. It has small goals and actions to take on when lockdown is over.

Tea and cake with my friends, walks with Oldest Offspring and dog. A trip to Bristol to spend some time with Youngest Offspring. A week’s holiday with Other Half, where we can sit on a beach and just watch the sea – with a cuppa now and again.

There are further small victories. Working in the garden, hugging long missed friends, stopping for a chat in the street. Shopping, walking up and down the aisles rather than having a doorstep delivery.

I made a physical copy of my tree. It is a reminder that after lockdown, although we will be in a different

world, there is so much to look forward to.

Take the very best care of you. You’re unique.

See you next month

SPORTS ROUNDUP Not only was Novak Djokovic playing for the Australian Open title last month, he was playing catch-up in the race to be crowned the 'GOAT' in men's tennis.

The number of Grand Slam titles is the most obvious and easiest metric for those who wish to determine - and not everyone does - which man is the Greatest Of All Time. Djokovic won in Melbourne to land an 18th major title, moving him two behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's all-time leading tally of 20 Grand Slam singles victories. Beating Daniil Medvedev for a ninth Australian Open title may prove to be pivotal in the race.

For some, the 'GOAT' discussion is trivial and does a disservice to the achievements of each player in their own right. Looking purely at the numbers does not tell the full picture. It is not possible to quantify their different playing styles, how they have adapted their games, their physical and mental strength, nor how they have overcome the tough moments that have peppered all of their careers.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH INCLUDE: 16-19 March: Horse racing - Cheltenham Festival 25 March: Football - World Cup qualifying starts: England v San Marino 28 March: Formula 1 season starts - Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir - revised season calendar

But it does provide the framework for the debate, and shows that we have been living in special times if there are three potentials ‘GOAT’s that have overlapped during their prime playing days.

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IN A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION

By Local Resident, Emily Archer

It was during the 2020 pandemic that my dolls first came to life. Home-schooling was part of my daily routine despite my five year old’s turned up nose.

In a creative attempt to encourage reading I tried voices, actions and singing each story but nothing held his active mind. With the feeling that nothing was working and the worry of his lost early years education, I had the extravagant idea of crafting the characters to visually bring the book to life.

grab were not available and those advertised online were continually out of stock as more households became creative.

Making my own clay seemed like my best option, but of course both the toilet roll and flour used to make paper clay were amongst the items hit with a national shortage.

Rationing our own supplies gave me enough leftovers to continue my crafting throughout the summer months and by autumn my finely tuned recipe was better than any I had ever bought.

The story we were reading was a book I had written myself; it tells the enchanting tale of two paper dollies and their adventures.

Penelope and Presley were the first two puppets I created. Each doll perfectly resembled the two mischievous characters from the book. Both my son, Morgan and I fell very quickly into the folk

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world envisioning and discussing all the possible creations we could make with just the materials we had indoors.

Like the rest of the UK we were in lockdown. The regular shops I would visit for my crafting essentials were closed for browsing. The clay and acrylic paints I would normally

Whilst on our daily exercise along the River Thames in Greenhithe we collected stock of washed up driftwood, chalks and earthy minerals. Treasure hunting and making our own paints became a fun daily ritual with unearthing the tones in our riches becoming one of my fondest lockdown memories.

The colour pallets I use in my work today combines a lot of the paints I have made from that I have foraged.

Over the year past, the demand for my dolls has increased tenfold. What began as making characters for our own play has very quickly turned into the possibility of being my dream job. In January 2021 my dolls were accepted by The British Toy Makers Guild which further gave me the confidence to part from my much-loved position in a local Estate Agent in Dartford.

Sadly, Morgan still doesn’t hold much interest in reading, but I’m always overwhelmed with excitement when I find him entwined with my characters. Homeschooling has not been easy for any of us, but it has most definitely been made more enjoyable by the

fantasy world we have created and continue to mould.

Over the next 18 months my dolls will be featured in several publications, namely the Dollshouse and Miniature Scene Magazine which also features more about my foraging around the Thames riverbanks.

Furthermore, I plan to use my creations as the artwork for the picture book I have written and hope soon to be featured in an exhibit quite local to home.

To find out more about my dolls and my mission to use recycled materials foraged from the Dartford surrounds you can find me online @hellogreensuk.

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IMPERIAL CORPORATE CAPITAL, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH EASTERN RAIL, TO DEVELOP A NEW £1M TRAIN PLATFORM LINK Aside from the construction of 187 affordable apartments, the scheme at Little Hithe offers much more than the prospect of affordable housing. As part of the scheme, in partnership with South Eastern Rail, an investment of circa £1million will ensure a new tree-lined link to the London bound platform for pedestrians and cyclists, including new ticket barriers and ticket machines. The current planning application also includes the potential to assist with improvements to the local highway network.

future residents of the development and in the local area among other significant benefits.

• Delivering a new highly accessible link to Greenhithe Station • Provides much needed housing for local people in a sustainable location • Actively supporting the use of sustainable modes of transport across the Site • Huge beneficial impact to landscape features through new tree planting • Providing landscape amenities to meet the needs of future residents • No harmful impact on existing highways and drainage infrastructure A s part of this substantial regeneration process, pedestrian and cycle access points are also

Greenhithe is strategically located close to the A2 and M25, which provide good links to the London bound and Kent bound motorway and strategic road network and inter-linking to the UK’s wider motorway system. The A226 London Road located to the south of the site provides a connection between Northfleet and the A282 (inc. the Dartford Crossing), which

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in turn, links to the A2 and Essex County.

The scheme will include provisions for land safeguarded and delivered for a publicly accessible pedestrian link and cyclist connection to Greenhithe Railway Station, located on the western boundary. The link will promote better connectivity and accessibility for the existing and

proposed to either side of the site access junction, with the footpath to London Road to be widened to 1.8m to the southern boundary, to further improve pedestrian safety.

These footways will follow the access road through the site and onto the proposed podium level, providing level access to both residential apartment blocks.

This comprehensive development proposal provides for a sustainable development, which will deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the local area.

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DARTFORD PAINTED ROCKS Rock Painting in Dartford.

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

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

Here are some great photos of their painted rocks.

Local people from ‘Dartford painted rocks’ on Facebook have been busy this month painting and hiding them around the town.

The rocks can be exchanged at Stephen Oliver: Studio and Gallery located at the Orchards Shopping Centre .

Here are some of the photos of their latest painted rocks.

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46

CAR NEWS MARCH 2021

By Dhiren Ganesh

In this month’s article we look at new electric versions due in 2021 from an executive car to new small SUVs.

2021 Mercedes C-Class executive car – this is the all-new Mercedes C-Class offers plug-in hybrid power, a futuristic interior and clever driver assistance technology. To transfrom into an executive car it has evolved with sportier front and rear bumpers and LED headlights as standard. Inside it has a Tesla style infotainment system with a 9.5 inch screen as standard but can be upgraded and includes reality sat-nav, natural speech recognition and online music streaming.Every engine will be a mild hybrid so the car can save on fule while ‘coasting’. There are three petrol engine including a 1.5 litre 168bhp, 1.5 litre 201bhp and a 2.0 litre 255bhp. There will also be four diesel engine options – all 2.0 litre engines. There will also be a c300e 2.0 litre petrol engine with an electric motor (308bhp combined), just after launch, which can go 62 miles on electric power alone. Available in the summer it is expected to be priced close to £36,000.

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car – this is the first car of the new electric sub-brand from Hyundai.

This is the first car to come from Hyundai’s family of Ioniq models,

grant) and will be available from this summer.

which will be all electric cars. Half SUV, half family hatchback this is a low-slung SUV with slim LED headlights and flush door handles that pop out automatically. It has a futuristic interiro with two 12 inch screens for driver display and for infotainment. It will feature a reality display with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring for Andriod and Apple phones. Materials used inside the Ioniq 5 are from eco-friendly sources, including recycled plastic bottles and natural wool. The standard electric battery pack has a 168bhp motor and gives a range of 248 miles – far more than its rivals. An upgrade can incresase this to 310 miles. Using he fatest chargers it can go from 10-80% in less than 20 minutes.

Safety and assistance kit includes own steering, acceleration, braking and lane changes on the motorway.

Prices will expect to start from around £48,000 (excluding the government

2021 Honda HR-V small SUV – New Honda HR-V small SUV gets hybrid power, a family-friendly interior and sporty looks. There will be a more aggressive look on this model with a new LED light bar in the rear and a larger front grille amongst others. The HR-V will be a hybrid so can run on small distances on just electric and expected to use the 2.0 litre 184bhp hybrid system in the current larger CR-V SUV and possibly a 1.5 litre engine from the Jazz. On the inside will be a new touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android phones. It comes with the brand’s versatile Magic Seats, which can fold down or flip up like a cinema seat to create more space to load items into the rear. Available from Autumn 2021 prices will be announced closer to the time but expected to be around £22,000.

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PERFORMING AND PRODUCTION DIGITAL ARTS FACILITY GETS THE GO AHEAD AT NORTH KENT COLLEGE. North Kent College welcomed the news that funding from the government’s Getting Building Fund (GBF) was approved for six more projects in the county late last year.

Among the projects approved was North Kent College’s ‘Performing and Production Digital Arts Facility’ at their Oakfield Lane campus in Dartford, Kent.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which oversees GBF funding, approved the award of £12.3m to the project at North Kent College, recognising the importance of the sector to the local economy. The project will contribute to the Government’s Build Back Better initiative to help the recovery of the economy and are set to deliver within 18 months. The new training facilities at North Kent College at the Dartford Campus will bolster the

50

am delighted that, after due diligence, they have been approved by SELEP. “KCC officers have been heavily involved in assisting the various applicants to put together their business case and I am delighted that their efforts have resulted in the grants being confirmed.

“These projects will help the Kent economy recover as we try to deal with the ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic”.

The North Kent College ne w build will ensure that provision of industry-leading training facilities for Performance and Production Arts are at the heart of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor. They will enable the College to maintain and develop its established strengths in performing arts and digital design, respond to growing student demand and contribute to the long-term growth of the creative and cultural sector. Specifically, it will involve the construction of a new, high-quality two-storey building containing 2,836 sq m of educational floorspace, creative sector. including a performance venue, Willmott Dixon Construction Limited dance studios, music performance have recently broken ground on the spaces, digital design classrooms project at North Kent College. Adam and workshops.

Worrall, Director, Willmott Dixon London & South region commented: David Gleed, Chief Executive and “We are delighted to be working Executive Principal, North Kent with North Kent College to deliver College commented “ We are this first-class centre of education delighted to receive funding for for the arts that will offer students this vital project which will further the opportunity to develop for enhance the outstanding Arts offer years to come. To be able to deliver that North Kent College provides. this scheme with a really focused With the Arts as a key focus for both customer and consultant team is great Kent and the Thames Gateway, this for the college but also for the Kent development ensures we remain economy and local supply chain.” at the forefront of education and KCC Leader Roger Gough said: training to produce the very best “Funding for these six projects had future Arts professionals. We are been ring-fenced for some time and I particularly grateful to both SELEP

and Cllr Roger Gough and his KCC colleagues for their continued support and backing.

SELEP Chair Christian Brodie said: “This is a fantastic scheme. We are dedicated to ensuring that the South East’s rich and diverse creative sector – which urgently needs support to combat the effects of the pandemic – is assisted however we can, to survive this current crisis.

Steve Cook postcard final:Layout 1

27/1/14

“This Performing and Production Digital Arts centre will create a hub for this vital industry in the heart of the South East and is being developed in response to growing student demand. Expansion of the Dartford campus will benefit not only North Kent College’s creative students, but the student body as a whole, and the surrounding area thanks to the creation of more than 100 new jobs.”

12:15

Page 1

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WHERE TO GO LOCALLY PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS - TERM TIME ONLY MONDAYS 9:15am - 11:00am - A&J Toddlers - St Anselms Church Community Centre, Dartford. £2.00 per one adult and child and 50p for any extra children or adults each. Tea/coffee biscuits, small snack for children with juice. Toast 20p per slice Craft table and singing and dancing at end of session Contact Julie on 01322 291092.

TUESDAYS Session 1: 9.15-10.45am, and Session 2: 11-12.30pm. Christchurch, Crossroad, Dartford. Contact Catherine on 01322 220036.

9.30am -11.30am. The Salvation Army, 66 Hythe Street, Dartford. Please call us on (01322) 288434 for further information.

9.30am-11.30am Sticky Fingers - £1.50 per adult includes tea ,biscuits and healthy snack time for the children For pre school children up to 4 years St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall London Road Greenhithe Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 9:30-10:30am at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime WEDNESDAYS 10am -12pm - Little Angels Net Church, (Formerly Gala Bingo Hall) Dartford, £2.50 per family including all snacks and drinks.

Catherine 07878658685 11.15am - SLADE GREEN AND HOWBURY COMMUNITY LIBRARY BABY AND TODDLER ACTION RHYME TIME GROUP 12:45pm -2.45pm - Fleetdown Open House - Fleetdown Community Centre, Swaledale Road, Dartford, DA2 6JZ £2.50 per Adult THURSDAYS 9:30am - 11:30am. St Paulinus Church Hall, Manor Road, Crayford.

9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 1pm-2.30pm Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 10:30-11:30am, at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime FRIDAYS 9.30am-11am Baby and me for expectant mothers and mothers / carers of chidren up to 2. £1 per adult St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers facebook.com/ToeRags 9.30am-11.30am Carer & Toddler Group, St Mary’s Church Hall, Stone Place Rd, Greenhithe. Jeanne 01322 380322 jeannehoadley@ yahoo.co.uk 1-3pm Gigglekidz, Tree Estate Community Centre on Cedar Road - £2 Per Child SATURDAYS 9.30am-11.30am Daddy and Me - A group for dads and male carers of children up to 5years. £1.50 includes healthy snack time for the children. St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 2-3pm - Lego Club- ages 5 and over - Chrome Road Slade Green DA8 2EL Tel: 01322 333602

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

Come along and join in the fun! Term time only For more information please call

Advertise in the magazine for as little as £40 for a month Contact: sales@dartfordliving.com

FULL 52 WHERE TO GO LOCALLY SECTION WILL BE BACK ONCE WE CAN START TO RETURN TO ‘NORMAL’

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

Craft Frames Quality Pict ure Frami ng

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N e edl ewo r k & Ca r d M a ki ng D. M. C S to c ki st Ki ng C ole K nitti ng W ool C ry sta l A rt Ca r ds & Ki ts

Well Worth a Visit!

21 West Hill Dartford DA1 2EL 01322 278703 w w w.c raftf ra me s. co .uk F re e par king at re ar Cl osed Sun days a nd Mondays

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USEFUL NUMBERS LOCAL AND NATIONAL

KEY NUMBERS Police 01622 690690 NON EMERGENCY ONLY Fire Safety Advice & FREE Home Fire Safety Check 0800 169 1125 Dartford Borough Council 01322 343434 Gas Leaks (24 hour) 0800 111 999 EDF Energy Networks Emergencies/ Powercuts Helpline 105 Flooding 03459881180 Highways Kent 03000 41 41 41 Social Services 03000 41 41 41 Water Burst 0800 820 999 (Southern) 0800 714614 (Thames) HEALTH Darent Valley Hospital 01322 428100 Dartford East Health Centre 01322 421480 Boots Chemist Bluewater 01322 624780 (Late Night) ASDA Greenhithe Chemist 01322 374100 (Late Night) The National Pandemic Flu Service 0800 1513 100 West Kent NHS helpline 0800 0 850850 TRAVEL Heathrow Airport Enquires 08700 000123 Gatwick Airport Enquires 08700 002468 National Rail Enquires 08456 484950 Highways England Info Line 0300 123 5000 HELPLINES 24 Hour Kent Dementia Helpline: 0800 500 3014

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Alcoholics Anonymous: 08457 697 555 Citizens Advice Bureau: 01322 472 979 Debt Councilling (CAP) 0800 328 0006 Information About Drugs - FRANK: 0800 776600 Kent Homophobic Incident Reporting Line: 0800 328 9162 Kent Racial Incident Reporting Line: 0800 138 1624 Local Breastfeeding Counsellors Judianne/Paula 01322 224072 National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hour) 0808 2000 247 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 RSPCA Kent, North West Branch Helpline 01322 286720 Samaritans: 116 123 LOCAL MP Gareth Johnson 020 7219 7047 LOCAL SPORTS CLUBS Bexley Rugby Club 01322 550142 or www.pitchero.com/clubs/bexleyrfc/ Dartford Ladies Hockey Club Dawn Hall (Secretary) 07793 777250 Dartford Ju Jitsu Club Mondays, Dartford Girls Grammar School, Shepherds Lane. 6.30-8.00 Juniors, 8.00-10.00 Seniors www.

Call 999 in an Emergency Fire, Police, Ambulance and Coastguard 101 Non Emergency Number for Kent Police Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 111 NHS Non Emergency Number

dartfordjujitsu.co.uk Dartford Sharks Basketball Club Tim Dickson - 07855 692527.

Dartford Volleyball Club Graham - 01322 275290 or 07984 106134.

Stone Lodge Indoor Bowling Club 01322 274111.

VCD Table Tennis Club Eric Jenkins - 0208 3038312.

‘Play & pay’, 9 hole, par 3 golf course on Dartford Football Club’s Princes ParkContact: 01322 299990 www.dartfordfc.com Dartford Valley RFC www.pitchero.com/clubs/ darenthvalleyrfc/ USEFUL FACEBOOK GROUPS Dartford Living Dartford Today and Tomorrow Dartford Remembered Dartford Gossip Dartford Living Community Group

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ADVERTISERS INDEX DIRECTORY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERTISING IN DARTFORD LIVING

ACCOUNTANTS, FINANCE & LEGAL URBAN STICKS …………………………….....…....20 GARDENING SUMMIT WEALTH...…………………………...........30 BOW ARROW GARDENING ……………………......36 DOWNTON & ALI ASSOCIATES………………….....59 CARE PROVIDERS HOME IMPROVEMENTS HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE………………..........4 THE DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR MAN…………........4 THE KIND CARE COMPANY ……………….............19 GOODE PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC SERVICES…...12 BRONZEWOOD LOFTS…………………………......12 HEALTH AND WELL BEING ELECTRICAL INTELLIGENCE……………....………27 NHS KENT & MEDWAY……………………...............2 CLAREMONT DECORATIVE SERVICES…………….46 SLIMMING WORLD…………………………….........5 STEVE COOKE DOUBLE GLAZING …………..…….51 GH HEALTH SOLUTIONS ……………………........17 A BAINES AND SON ROOFING ………………........53 CREST YOGA…………………………………........27 ONE YOU KENT SERVICES…………………..........31 RELIGIOUS SERVICES ON POINT PILATES ………………………….........36 CROSSWAYS COMMUNITY CHURCH……………...44 FEET MATTERS………………………………........45 COUNCIL DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL……………........34 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT GARETH JOHNSON……………………………......45 ESTATE/LETTING AGENTS WISDOM ESTATES……………………………..........7 FOX ESTATES…………………………………..........9

OFFICE SPACE /SUPPLIES NUCLEUS ……………………………………..........7 ORCHARD OFFICE SUPPLIES …………………....12 OPTICIANS LINKLATERS…………………………………........53 PICTURE FRAMING CRAFT FRAMES……………………………….......53

FARM SHOPS PRINTERS H&M FOODS…………………………………..........11 DARENTH PRINT……………………………….....12 STANHILL FARM ……………………………….......18 RESTAURANTS, CAFES & FOOD OUTLETS FLORISTS THE SNACK SHACK…………………………........13 DARTFORD FLORIST ……………………………...19 EFES…………………………………………........29 THE COURTYARD………………………………...26 GARAGES / VEHICLE SERVICES SHENLEY ROAD GARAGE……………………........45 EDUCATION ORCHARD GARAGE ………………………….........60 PLAY PLACE…………………………………........15 56

MY BLUEWATER TUTOR…………………………...27 HOLY TRINITY PRESCHOOL……………………….48 TAXI SERVICES 1-8 PASSENGER TRAVEL…………………….........18 TRAVEL HARDEN HOLIDAYS …………………………........24 RETAIL BRADLEY’S JEWELLERS…………………….........46 THE BED POST ……………………………...........23 WILL WRITING SMN WILL WRITING ………………………….......45 WEBSITE DESIGN & MARKETING DARTFORD LIVING MARKETING………………....55 DARTFORD LIVING DESIGN…………………........58

THINKING OF ADVERTISING? We offer amazing value advertising with adverts starting from just £40 for a month. We don’t just take your money and add you to the magazine. We want to work with you to promote your businesses as much as we can using our website and social media channels for maximum exposure. We can also provide advertising options solely online on your website and/ or social media channels. We feel we have every base covered.

To book in an advert call 01322 507817 or email sales@dartfordliving.com David Shafford

Magazine/ Website Design and Sales

SIZE AND RATES FULL PAGE

HALF PAGE

210mm by 148mm

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£180

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QUARTER PAGE

FRONT PAGE

96mm by 69mm

£60

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£150 +Free Full Page (only Sept left)

*All prices are at the discounted rate when taking out advertising over a period of a year. Full rates can be found at www.dartfordliving.com/advertise

01322 507817

sales@dartfordliving.com www.dartfordliving.com

YOUR NEXT DEADLINE IS 15TH MARCH 2021

Dartford Living does not certify, endorse or verify the contents of any communication within the magazine/our online presence or make warranty of any kind, express or implied, with regard to the information contained therein. Dartford Living and its owners cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or claims made by advertisers or endorse companies, products or services that appear in any Dartford Living publication or media outlet. Dartford Living is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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