More than 300 artists put pen, pencil and paintbrush to paper to commemorate the restoration of the Gravesend clock tower.

The competition was co-organised by Claude Barry of the Bench Cafe, based at The Gr@nd Healthy Living Centre, who was left overwhelmed by the entries.

However, it should not come as a surprise.

The cafe and centre has been forging strong links with the community and as Gravesend eagerly awaits the grand reopening of the clock tower, the competition to create work inspired by the iconic building struck a chord with entrants.

As deputy manager Claude and centre manager Liz Read explained, it is just the latest in a series of community projects to inspire young and old.

“We wanted to get more people involved in art and the renovation of Gravesend’s clock tower,” said Claude.

“It was to try to get people interested who normally wouldn’t have looked at it.”

The centre’s work was “always evolving” explained Liz, adding: “It’s about doing things that people want to do.

“Quite often that means using creative ways to get them involved – people might be interested in music or art.

“It’s about getting them into doing something positive.”

The winners of the art competition – organised in conjunction with Gravesham council and Friends of Gravesend Clock Tower – are due to be formally announced at the grand opening of the clock tower, although the event has been put on hold as restoration work has been delayed by cold weather.

Entries were judged by a panel that included Peter Vigar of Gravesham Arts, Gravesend community involvement officer Kirsty Gaunt, Cllr Jordan Meade, and Claude Barry.

Claude himself is a graduate of the centre, having attended a work experience course before being asked to take on a role at the cafe.

It was the same course undertaken by cafe manager Judy, and together they are now helping to inspire and instil confidence in the next generation of centre users.

Around 60% of young people that have come through the course have then gone on to find further employment, and the centre has helped around 30 adults find work in the past two years.

Other courses are designed to promote confidence, health and wellbeing or simply to help people have fun.

The main court room of the centre – housed in the old Gravesend Courthouse – provides a space for dance, exercise and music groups, such as the ballroom dancing sessions for older people and the new open mic sessions which will soon be getting under way.

Sexual health clinics, smoking advice and the H4U group, a peer-led young people’s wellbeing and support group, are further examples of the services on offer.

And if you do not need any of that, just come in for a coffee.

For more information www.thegrand.org.uk