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Beating the lockdown blues in Dartford and Medway

In time for this week's clap for carers, we're bringing you some of the kind gestures people have been making to make a difference in their community.

Today, staff at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford made a banner wishing Captain Tom Moore a happy birthday.

Staff at Darent Valley Hospital with their birthday banner for Captain Tom Moore. Picture: Darent Valley Hospital on Facebook
Staff at Darent Valley Hospital with their birthday banner for Captain Tom Moore. Picture: Darent Valley Hospital on Facebook

The hospital's Theatre Scheduling team did their bit to send a message to Second World War veteran, who turned 100 today.

On Monday, April 27, Swanley Park was bathed in blue light as the park management and Swanley Town Council.

A show of lights by the park's lake was staged by Centre Stage Solutions as a way of thanking the NHS and other key workers.

The display was set to John Newman's Give Me Your Love.

Park Director Ryan Hayman said "This is us showing our gratitude to those on the frontline. They are heroes and we just wanted to do something to reflect that."

Swanley Park pays homage to NHS and key workers in light display

The Brook Theatre in Chatham also became a beacon of blue light this week.

The Brook Theatre in Chatham: Enjoy Medway on Facebook
The Brook Theatre in Chatham: Enjoy Medway on Facebook

Elsewhere in Chatham, residents enjoyed a visit from a familiar, masked figure.

Spider-Man was seen greeting people in the town during last week's clap for carers.

Spider-Man turns up in Chatham

The masked hero lived up to his moniker – "Friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man" – by skipping in the road whilst batting pots together.

A musician in Strood has turned to entertaining his neighbours from the comfort of his front garden.

Tony Richardson has staged socially-distanced concerts from his home in Gordon Road.

His neighbour John Summer said: “It was a really nice thing to do and broke the monotony of lockdown.

Tony Richardson sings to Strood

“Even the police drove by and Tony dedicated a song to them.

"Later an NHS worker pulled up and the whole street applauded. Another song went to her and she danced along on the way to see her patient. It was a really great atmosphere.”

Meanwhile in Elm Avenue Chatham, piper Len Rose also paid tribute to Captain Tom Moore, with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.

Chatham piper Len Rose plays Happy Birthday for Captain Tom Moore

Elsewhere a schoolboy from Walderslade has been playing his saxophone to his neighbours in Kit Hill Avenue.

Alessandro Pavan 12, has been unable to take regular lessons but has continued to practice, learning a new song every week.

The Sir Joseph Williamson's school pupil performed "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" for one of his neighbours who is a nurse.

Rochester schoolboy plays saxophone to neighbours

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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