A world of opportunity at the gateway to Europe |
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If Keith Richards hadn’t met a fellow traveller with an interest in music on the platform at Dartford station whilst waiting to catch a train from Dartford to London in 1961, the Rolling Stones might not exist today. Mick Jagger, a former pupil of Dartford Grammar School, might have continued with his plan to become a journalist or diplomat. We’ll never know what would have happened. Their friendship led to the founding of the world famous rock group.
People from all over the world continue to meet here and many choose to stay as they have done for centuries:
- The Romans built a road through the area linking Dover to London, and a temple at Springhead.
- Mediaeval pilgrims passed through on their way to Canterbury. (Dartford was a key stopping point as it’s one day’s walk from Canterbury and London).
- St. George’s Church, Gravesend, has long been a place of ‘pilgrimage’ for American visitors to the final resting place of the Virginia Indian Pocahontas
- People visit Bawley Bay and Anchor Cove in Gravesend to see where their ancestors set sail to travel to Australia and New Zealand.
- Surrounding countryside, marshes and local villages have strong associations with Charles Dickens who lived at Gads Hill, Higham
- Community groups organise multicultural events including Carnivals, and celebrate religious festivals.
- The area has a thriving arts scene and a range of superb arts venues.
"At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past".
Maurice Maeterlinck, Belgian poet and playwright
Web Links:
Dartford Museum
Northfleet Carnival
Riverside Family Learning Centre
Mick Jagger Centre Dartford
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