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Schools in Gravesham and Dartford celebrate Saint George’s Day virtually

Hundreds of children have been finding ways to mark Saint George's Day after traditional parades had to make way for safer celebrations.

Two films featuring 13 schools have been produced to bring together several of them in one project. The videos not only include Aletheia Anglican Academies Trust and the Galaxy Trust, but also the Mayors of Gravesham and Dartford, Cllr John Caller and Cllr Roger Perfitt.

The two St George's Day videos featuring the Mayors of Gravesham and Dartford. Video: Cohesion Plus

In the build up to Saint George’s Day, some 800 young people took part in arts workshops in their schools creating colourful flags with messages of thanks for the NHS.

The films - showing them waving their work - were created as a way of marking the occasion while mass outdoor gatherings are still not permitted.

The aim was to celebrate the patron Saint of England and bring together the diverse communities of Gravesham and Dartford online.

Led by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council, the project was supported by Same Sky Arts, Gravesham council, Dartford council and Arts Council England.

Cohesion Plus artistic director Gurvinder Sandher joined by a Saint George's knight in 2019
Cohesion Plus artistic director Gurvinder Sandher joined by a Saint George's knight in 2019

Schools that took part in the video from Gravesend included, Holy Trinity Primary School, Shorne Primary School, St Georges Primary School, St Botolph's Primary School, Rosherville Primary School and St Georges Secondary Phase.

Dartford schools included, Stone St Mary's Primary School, West Hill Primary School, Fleetdown Primary School, Temple Hill Primary School, Oakfield Primary Academy, Horton Kirby Primary School and Sutton-at-Hone Primary School.

Cohesion Plus has been organising large scale festivals to celebrate Saint George’s Day across the towns for more than a decade.

Although those couldn't go ahead due to Covid restrictions, it is hoped the positive message of the films underlines the community spirit that has existed amidst the pandemic.

Cohesion Plus artistic director Gurvinder Sandher said: “We are a year into the pandemic and still unable to meet outdoors in mass gatherings.

"That being said, we believe it was necessary to keep celebrating Saint George’s Day the only way we know how, which is by bringing diverse communities together albeit online.

"Regardless of the medium in which we connect, it is important that as always, we use the arts to celebrate community cohesion, shared values and everything that connects us rather than separates us.”

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

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