ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
MEDWAY CONT .
Akin to many towns in Kent , Medway had lost much of its pre-war sparkle , despite having a long and prominent history dating back to Roman times . The former Roman City , Rochester , which is a part of Medway , was once home to Charles Dickens and his work heavily references and features much of its characteristics . The Diocese of Rochester , the second oldest in England , is centred on Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle has one of the best preserved keeps in either England or France . Furthermore , Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway and was at the forefront of shipbuilding , industrial and architectural technology . Despite these historic landmarks , Medway has struggled to maintain its prosperity .
Geographically , Medway is a conurbation , comprising five main towns ; Rochester , Chatham , Gillingham , Rainham and Strood , plus many urban and rural villages . It is also a unitary authority , which in laymen ’ s terms means that although it is a part of Kent , it has its own council that is administratively independent from Kent County Council . Its strategic location by the major crossing of the River Medway and close proximity to London – once being the main Dover to London road – as well as being partial home to five important university campuses , means that it is better positioned to win this title than many may initially assume .
To claim City of Culture , one rather obvious prerequisite is that you need to be a city – which Medway is not . Rochester , an ancient city , lost its city status in 1998 due to an administrative error that failed to appoint ceremonial " Charter Trustees " when Rochester upon Medway City Council merged with Gillingham and Chatham to form the Medway Unitary Authority .
Deputy leader , Councillor Doe , who is the deputy leader and portfolio holder for Housing and Community Services is confident that this can be rectified with their plans for a new city centre in Chatham and tells insideKENT “ We are going to create an area that people want to come to stay , where the focus is not on shopping but on a cultural experience . There will be a sense of community across the whole place , where people will feel part of their own neighbourhood but within a city .” Refreshingly , they are also aspiring to become known as a Child-Friendly City , a UNICEF-led initiative , where the rights and experiences of children and young people are core to the new city ’ s foundation .
Community and a sense of belonging – where residents feel genuinely cared for and represented by their council – is an integral part of their plans as well . Art is something that the council wants to encourage everyone to produce , “ something that you do , not something that is just done to you ”, Councillor Doe says , believing that most people have an artist within .
As part of the bid to win 2025 City of Culture , Medway has launched a giant public call out for ideas from locals and beyond . The City of Culture Board for Medway are actively encouraging Medway to find its own voice and to create a legacy that reflects the lives and individuals of the local people . This is perfectly demonstrated by the riverfront art pavilion Draw Hope which encourages everyone that passes it to draw and write on its walls . There is a particular emphasis on drawing / writing on other people ' s words and images ; a direct representation of Medway ' s desire for their community to build upon one another ' s ideas .
24