Festival fever is set to hit the town during the coming months with plans being finalised for this year’s Dartford Festival, taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July.

Residents can get news hot off the press by registering for updates at the new 2008 Festival website. You will receive special news announcements, all the latest information about this year’s events, previews and the chance to win specially themed prizes.

This year’s festival is set to wow residents and regular festival goers providing a mix of glittering entertainment, local bands and tons of top fun with sideshows, stalls and arts and crafts.

2007 saw crowds of over 40,000 across the two days swarm to Dartford to watch top acts including X Factor trio Ben Mills, Andy Abraham and Chico.  Off the stage entertainment also toughened up for 2007 with the British leg of the World Strongman Cup held on the festival weekend in central park.

• Whatever your interest, the festival website is the place to find the latest information, visit www.dartfordfestival.co.uk

Councillor Ian Armitt, Ward Member for Bean and Darenth, will focus on people and communities during his period in office as the borough’s 32nd Mayor.  Councillor Armitt was also Mayor of Dartford in 2005-2006, making him one of just four Dartford Borough Councillors to have been accorded the honour of holding the position twice.

Cllr Armitt hopes to raise the profile of the borough’s many unsung heroes in the voluntary sector and, through the Mayor’s Charity, be in a position to donate much needed funds to some of them having become aware of the amount of work the voluntary sector does towards the wellbeing of residents during his previous term.

His Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Armitt, has lived in Wilmington for twenty-five years and has represented the Ward of Bean & Darenth since his election to the Council in 2003, although his interest in local politics goes back many years when resident in Gravesham.

• Find out more about the Mayor of Dartford

A new service providing a range of advice under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse opened its doors Tuesday 6 May.

The Dartford domestic abuse one stop shop will run every Tuesday morning at Dartford’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau with representatives from Dartford Council, the police, Women’s Aid and Neves Scott Brand solicitors all offering free advice on issues concerning domestic abuse.

The one stop shop runs every Tuesday between 9.30am and 12pm at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Trinity Resource Centre, near the Holy Trinity Church Dartford. All advice is free to anyone visiting the shop.

Anyone suffering from domestic abuse, can call the 24 hour domestic abuse information line on 0845 6036813.