Medway’s residents and communities will come together to remember fallen servicemen and women on Friday, 11 and Sunday, 13 November.
A number of remembrance events will be held across Medway to commemorate members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts around the world.
In Chatham, Medway’s city centre, a remembrance service will be held on Friday, 11 November at Victoria Gardens in Chatham, starting at around 10.40am. The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Jan Aldous, will lay a wreath.
On Sunday, 13 November, a parade will be held along Chatham High Street, meeting at the car park behind the former Debenhams buildings from 10am. A service will then be held in Victoria Gardens which will be livestreamed on the Love Chatham Facebook page, for those unable to attend in person. A salute will be taken on the return journey outside The Central Theatre.
A British Legion parade will be held in Rochester on Sunday, 13 November, followed by a service at Rochester Cathedral which will begin at 10.50am. Members of the public are able to attend, however, there will only be a small number of seats available on a first come, first served basis, after those taking part in the parade have been seated. For those who are unable to watch the service in the cathedral, it will be broadcast live at the war memorial in Rochester High Street, which will be followed by the laying of wreaths. All are welcome to attend.
Services will also be held at the war memorial at The Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham, the Medway Park memorial in Mill Road, Gillingham, St Margaret’s Church in Rainham and at Brompton War Memorial in Wood Street, Brompton.
The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Jan Aldous will attend the service at the war memorial at the Great Lines before attending the service at Rochester Cathedral. The Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett and Chief Executive of Medway Council, Neil Davies, will also attend the service at the Cathedral. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Roger Barrett, will pay his respects at Gillingham and the Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Cllr Howard Doe, will attend the service at St Margaret’s Church. Cllr Diane Chambers will also attend the service at Brompton War Memorial.
The events are not organised by the council and residents are encouraged to check with the organisers for more information.
We will remember them
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “We are incredibly proud of Medway’s rich military heritage and our ongoing relationships with the military. I am proud to be representing residents at the parade and service in Rochester. It is very important that we all remember our fallen servicemen and women.”
Time for us all to reflect and remember
The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Jan Aldous, said: “Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday is a time for us all to reflect, and remember, the sacrifices our armed forces have made, and continue to make, to keep us safe. We will remember them.”
Additional poignance this year
Cllr Vince Maple, organiser of the Chatham Remembrance Service, said: “With the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War this year, Remembrance services here in Medway and across the country will have additional poignance. It is an honour to be laying the wreath at Chatham on behalf of residents reflecting on those women and men who served our country and made so many sacrifices along with the often forgotten families of service personnel who themselves give so much.”
Temporary road closures will be in place on Sunday, 13 November to enable services and parades to be carried out safely. In Gillingham, road closures will be in place in Brompton Road, Mill Road, Gillingham High Street and Marlborough Road. In Chatham, there will be closures in Maidstone Road, Railway Street and Ordnance Terrace. In Rochester, closures will be in place in the High Street, Boley Hill, Northgate and Epaul Lane.
There will be free parking in some council car parks on Remembrance Sunday. Residents can park in the following car parks for free between 7am and 3pm:
- In Chatham: Rhode Street, James Street and Riverside car parks.
- In Rainham: the Cricketers Car Park
- In Rochester: Blue Boar Lane, Cathedral and Corporation Street car parks
- In Gillingham: Medway Park