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Brexit Day celebrations in Kent

09:04, 30 January 2020

updated: 14:40, 30 January 2020

After three long years of Brexit, the UK will finally be leaving the European Union tomorrow.

While it's not the outcome everyone wanted, for some it is an occasion worth celebrating. So, whether you rooted leave from the start or are just happy it's all over, here's where you can mark the historic day.

January 31 is Brexit day
January 31 is Brexit day

ASHFORD

The George Hotel in the High Street will be throwing a party to celebrate the occasion.

DJ Shady Shanks will be laying down the music for the gig, which starts at 8pm on Friday and will last until 11pm.

DARTFORD

Dartford Conservative Association Club are also hosting celebrations at the Spital Street venue at 7pm.

The club bills itself as a family friendly and welcoming social club in the centre of Dartford and will host a Great British quiz, a DJ, a raffle and prize.

There will also be a countdown to the withdrawal from the European Union with a glass of bubbly at 11pm.

Music will play until late and guests are asked to bring their own food.

Tickets cost £8 per person and reservations can be made in advance by emailing dartfordconservatives@hotmail.com.

The Brexit celebration party is taking place at the Dartford Conservative Club
The Brexit celebration party is taking place at the Dartford Conservative Club

DEAL

While it may not be a party per se award-winning pasty mastermind Jill Martin is cooking up a scrumptious batch of Brexit Balls to celebrate.

The large meatballs are packed with a mixture of beef, pork, herbs and spices, onion, Belgian beer, apple and pear puree and juniper berries .

She’ll be mixing and moulding the meaty delicacies in time for Deal Market on Saturday morning and adding them to her Town Kitchen menu on facebook today for people to order and collect .

Mrs Martin, who won first place in the World’s Best Pasty competition with her Kentish Knockers at the Eden Project in 2019, said: “I think I must make them – Be rude not to. The sauce is delicious too.”

They cost £5.50 from Deal market or by searching Jill Martin Town Kitchen on Facebook.

One of Jill Martin's Brexit Balls
One of Jill Martin's Brexit Balls

DOVER

Meanwhile in the town at the front line of pretty much every Brexit row celebrations are perhaps unsurprisingly shaded in controversy.

First Anthony Hook MEP raised thousands to unfurl a gigantic 'We Love The EU' banner at the famous cliff tops.

That was a response to Boris Johnson's Bung a Bob for Brexit Big Ben Bong impromptu policy announcement, for which the resulting campaign failed.

In response to Mr Hook's counter-campaign Dover MP Natalie Elphicke pledged to reveal a rival banner and hold a firework display on Brexit Day. There is no news on either idea.

GRAVESEND

The Jolly Drayman, in Gravesend, is holding its event between 7pm and 11pm. It says whether we like it or not the UK is leaving the EU and therefore a good old fashioned knees up is in order.

Cockney Sing along Pianist, Eugene Portman, will be belting out music hall favourites with song sheets provided so everyone can join in.

There will also be a spread fresh from Billingsgate Market to get stuck into.

The Jolly Drayman in Love Lane, DA12 1JA, want to put the animosity of the last three years behind us and embrace the future with hearty song, a belly full of local ale, a mouth full of delicious British food and a bloomin' big smile, with the chimes of Big Ben ringing through the pub at 11pm.

The Brexit celebration party is taking place at the The Jolly Drayman in Gravesend
The Brexit celebration party is taking place at the The Jolly Drayman in Gravesend

MAIDSTONE

"The majority of people are getting what they voted for. We may not all agree!! It’s happening, let’s embrace it. Free glass of fizz and nibbles."

It's a case of any excuse for a party at the popular Rockin' Robin on the Green in Barming.

Punters at the Heath Road boozer will be partying from 5pm.

MEDWAY
Ska fans can skank to their favourite tunes at The Old Ash Tree's Brexit Ska Party.

The pub in Rainham Road, Gillingham, will be blasting tunes from DJ Liquidator Sounds who will be playing ska, reggae and rocksteady classics on vinyl.

The fun kicks off at 8pm, and entry is free.

The Old Ash Tree, Rainham Road, Gillingham. Picture: Google Streetview
The Old Ash Tree, Rainham Road, Gillingham. Picture: Google Streetview

SITTINGBOURNE

In Sittingbourne, Debbie Pettit, the landlady of the White Horse pub in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, said there would be a "bit of a knees-up" from 7.30pm onwards.

"The whole pub will be decked out in bunting," she said. "A few of us are dressing up. A couple of the lads will be in Union Flag suits. It'll be a bit like VE Day."

Simon and Debbie Pettit who run The White Horse, Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne
Simon and Debbie Pettit who run The White Horse, Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne

She stressed that they were definitely not against anyone who voted Remain, adding: "We just wanted to take back control. Hopefully now people will pull together."

SHEPPEY

In Sheerness, The Royal Hotel, in Broadway, is hosting a karaoke and disco to celebrate Brexit, starting at 9pm and The Old House at Home, High Street, will have a barbecue and offers on alcoholic drinks.

How is Brexit going to affect Kent? For all the latest news, views and analysis visit our dedicated page here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

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