Chinese-style entertainment and a special lion dance will welcome in the Chinese New Year in Gravesend.

A parade, led by a Chinese lion, will celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rooster on Tuesday, January 31.

Starting at 11am from the Borough Market, the Lion will be “woken” before eating and scattering lettuce leaves, symbolising a fresh start.

The lion will then visit local businesses to receive more traditional green leaves on its way up to Community Square. Chinese martial arts, singing, dancing and music will be laid on from 11.45am at the Woodville.

The Mayor of Gravesham, Greta Goatley said: “Motivation and confidence are characteristics of the Year of the Rooster which are important traits. We really do have a lot of talented people of all ages in Gravesham.”

It is being put on with the Ying Tao Chinese Association, supported by Twin Dynasty.

The annual celebrations for Chinese New Year take place in Chatham High Street on Saturday, January 28, with dance displays and parades drawing big crowds.

Starting from Church Street at noon, the parade proceeds along the High Street, turning right into Military Road and finishing at the Pentagon entrance, where there will be a 30-minute outdoor performance.

With up to 200 people taking part in the parade, it’s the biggest outside London and involves the Chinese community as well as schools and community groups, councillors, dignitaries and visitors from the London Chinese community.

There will be some colourful celebrations for the Chinese New Year in Maidstone this weekend. The fun centres on Jubilee Square on Saturday, January 28. There will also be a day of oriental food and culture in The Mall shopping centre.

THE LITTLE RED ROOSTER

Hard working, confident and a good talker: Roosters have some admirable characteristics.
Those born in the Year of the Rooster are also courageous and talented, self-assured and happiest when around others. They’re also gregarious and extroverted – they love the spotlight!

The Rooster is 10th in the Chinese zodiac, with each year related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. This year, there’s an extra element as it’s a Fire Rooster year.

There are five types of roosters: Gold (Metal), wood, water, fire or earth.

Wood roosters (1945, 2005) are energetic, over-confident, tender and unstable, while fire roosters (1957, 2017) are trustworthy, with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work.

Earth roosters (1909, 1969) are lovely, generous, trustworthy and popular with their friends while gold roosters (1921, 1981) are determined, brave and hardworking.

Water roosters (1933, 1993) are smart, quick-witted, tenderhearted, and compassionate.
Like the rooster in the animal kingdom, roosters can be a bit boastful and enjoy crowing about themselves!

MEET THE ROOSTERS

Big Bird is the colourful Brahma cockerel at the Rare Breeds Centre near Woodchurch, who wakes up his neighbours the piglets, rabbits, goats, guinea pigs, hamsters, chicks and ferrets. Big Bird is a rare breed and he’s more than happy to be stroked or cuddled by visitors, when visiting arrangements allow it.

Check out the centre at Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford. Call 01233 861493, email info@rarebreeds.org.uk or visit rarebreeds.org.uk

Kent Life in Sandling, Maidstone, has a couple of cockerels keeping check on the farmyard, where there are also sheep, cattle, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and geese. There are also owls in a recently opened enclosure.

See them on the real working farm in Lock Lane by calling 01622 763936, email enquiries@kentlife.org.uk or visit kentlife.org.uk

Due to government restrictions after cases of avian flu were confirmed, all poultry are in quarantine until Tuesday, February 28.

Here’s a famous five you could enjoy being woken up by.

The Leybourne RSPCA branch has a group of five cockerels and chickens looking for a forever home together.

Cockerels Cluck Norris, Cluckleberry-Finn and Ozzy Eggsborn and hens, Mrs Fluffy-Pants and Mrs Poopins, were left abandoned in a field before being rescued.

They’re looking for a home with plenty of space to roam during the day and a warm and safe coop to stay in at night. Pop into the centre if you think you could welcome them into your home. You can also call on 0300 123 0751.