Residents are invited to line the streets and cheer on Armed Forces personnel as they march through Rochester this Sunday (25 June).
Following on from Medway’s Armed Forces Day event at the Great Lines in Gillingham on Saturday, 24 June, Medway will continue to celebrate its proud military history with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) parading along Rochester High Street to celebrate them being holders of the Freedom of Medway.
The parade will start at 11.30am in Rochester High Street, at the junction with Northgate, before heading towards Star Hill and back again.
When the parade reaches the war memorial on the High Street, near Rochester Cathedral, there will be an inspection of the ranks and a salute taken by the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Nina Gurung; the Deputy Lieutenant for Kent, Wing Commander Peter Gilbert QVRM TD Dl VR and the PWRR’s Honorary Colonel, Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE.
We awarded the regiment, affectionately known as the Tigers, with the Freedom of Medway in 2018 to honour their long association with Medway and Kent. They will be joined at the parade by the 254 Medical Regiment and the RE Squadron of the Kent Army Cadet Force.
Incredibly proud of Medway's connections to the armed forces
Cllr Alex Paterson, Medway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “We are incredibly proud of Medway’s connections to the Armed Forces and are honoured to be able to hold a public parade for families and veterans to enjoy and cheer Rochester's own Tigers along. The Freedom of Medway is a great honour and one we are delighted has been awarded to the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Please show your support to the regiment in Rochester on Sunday.”
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, has also reiterated Medway Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and continued support for the whole of the Armed Forces community.
Road closures
A number of road closures will be in place around Rochester town centre on Sunday, 25 June to allow the Freedom of Medway Parade to safely take place. Where possible, we will accommodate access up to 9am for residents and businesses.
The following roads will be closed between 8am and 2pm:
- Castle Hill from its junction with the Esplanade the entire length, including Castle Hill Court (permitting resident access only, no through route).
- Epaul Lane.
- High Street between its junctions with the Guildhall Museum and Star Hill.
- Almon Place near its junction of the High Street.
- Bishops Walk near its junction of the High Street.
- Eastgate Terrace near its junction of the High Street.
- Eastgate Court near its junction of the High Street.
- Crow Lane near its junction with the High Street.
- Blue Boar Lane near its junction of the High Street.
- La Providence near its junction of the High Street.
- Northgate from its junction with Cathedral Garage car park to its junction with the High Street.
- Boley Hill from its junction with St. Margaret’s Street and the High Street (including the Precinct junction)
The following road will be closed between 10am and 11.30am:
- Vines Lane from its junction with Maidstone Road to its junction with St Margaret’s Street (permitting resident access to Crow Lane).
The following roads will be closed between 11am and 11.30am:
- St. Margaret’s Street from its junction with Vines Lane to its junction with Boley Hill.
- Love Lane at its junction of St Margaret’s Street.
- The Precinct at its junction of St Margaret’s Street.
- St Margaret’s Mews at its junction of St Margaret’s Street.