Description

The Band, Doctor Jazz, was formed out of the original Terry Treagus Jazz Sounds.

Terry’s Band originated in the 1950’s at the Medway College of Art and three members of that first Band, Terry Treagus, Keith Blundell and Bill Stotesbury, regrouped in 1972, joined by Alan Robinson, Colin Martin and Ralph Hayward.

Weekly sessions started at The New Ash Tree, Gillingham. In November 1973 the residency at The Duke of Wellington, Ryarsh started and in 2008 the Band celebrated a 35 year run, broken only by a 3 months period when one of the ‘landlords’ locked himself in (and everyone else out) following a dispute over finances with the owners.

In 1978 Terry Treagus stopped playing and left the Band which was then joined by Dave Kedge on trumpet, cornet and flugel horn.

Dave had been with The Thameside Stompers since 1975 and had been the regular dep for Terry, he was the obvious replacement.

The band needed a new name and, following an ill-fated tour of Germany, where playing in a Dusseldorf Jazz Club called Doctor Jazz kept our finances and spirits going, there was the inspiration for the band name.

It was at this time that the familiar logo also
came into use.

Description

Central Park comprises some 26 acres ranging from formal gardens near to the Town Centre, through ornamental areas to informal open space at the southern end towards Princes Road.

The picturesque River Darent runs along the park's eastern boundary.

The formal gardens abut the War Memorial and Library and include summer and winter bedding, herbaceous and shrub beds, together with a carpet bed which depicts the badge of a local organisation in the summer months.

Each summer at least 45,000 plants are used to create stunning colourful bedding displays.

The formal gardens are complimented by a rose garden and pergola, which was installed in 2002 and is quite spectacular when in full bloom.

The park is extremely popular with local children and visitors alike.

Image of riverThe informal areas of the park include large grass areas, junior football pitches, secluded tree shaded walks by the river and is home to the Dartford Harriers running track and pavilion.

Central Park hosts numerous events, particularly in summer, including the popular Dartford Festival in July.

There are public conveniences* and a small car park near the Cranford Road entrance at the southern end of the park (next to Fairfield Pool), and conveniences just outside the park in Market Street.

The park has a large children's playground which has a variety of traditional swings and slides as well as a climbing net, aerial runway, climbing wall, graffiti wall, track for bikes, skate boards etc, and a fully enclosed ball games area, all of which is monitored by CCTV.

The very popular Skatepark is located in Central Park.

The new bandstand has been erected very close to the original site of the first bandstand and will form a vibrant centre-piece for a range of concerts. The stone paving; steps and edges are of Ragstone composite to match the traditional materials of the plinth cladding. Protected by CCTV and other security measures, the bandstand has its own power supply, lighting and a music system for effect when not in use.

Central Park,

Dartford,

Kent,

England,

DA1 1EU.