Published: Thursday, 21st April 2022

In his latest message to residents the Leader of Medway Council discusses Medway’s fantastic festivals, the support we’re offering Ukrainian families and wishes Her Majesty The Queen a happy birthday.

Dear residents,

I hope you all had a lovely Easter break and that families with time off over the school holidays were able to make the most of Medway’s fantastic tourist attractions and leisure facilities. We were delighted to welcome 15,000 people to the English Festival that took place at our award-winning Riverside Country Park over the bank holiday weekend and the mixture of sunshine and great activities proved for a fantastic time for all.

It has been nearly two months since the conflict in Ukraine began and I am pleased we have offered a warm welcome to five Ukraine families so far, with five more expected to be arriving soon.

I am deeply proud of the support communities across Medway are providing yet again during difficult times and am grateful to residents who have been able to open up their homes to share it with those fleeing the conflict. We have received more than 60 offers for residents to provide a safe haven for Ukrainians and our teams are working together to carry out the government’s necessary home checks, with 33 carried out so far.

We have updated our website with information for residents, sponsors and Ukrainians to help during the transition period and to advise of the support and services we have available, including translators if required.

I hope our guests from abroad can enjoy all Medway has to offer, as much as we all do. Our next free festival coming up is Sweeps Festival, being held in historic Rochester over the upcoming bank holiday weekend - on Saturday, 30 April, Sunday, 1 May and Monday 2 May. Visitors will be able to celebrate 40 years of the renowned event.

Preparations are also in full swing for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – there’ll be a whole host of free events for residents to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who submitted plans to request a street party – our teams are working their way through contacting the organisers.

Today (21 April) marks Her Majesty The Queen’s 96th birthday and on behalf of Medway, I would like to wish her a very happy birthday.

Cllr Alan Jarrett

Leader of Medway Council

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