Remembrance services will be held across Medway to remember fallen servicemen and women on Saturday, 11 and Sunday, 12 November.
Chatham
In Chatham, a remembrance service will be held at Victoria Gardens in Chatham on Saturday, 11 November at 10.45am which The Mayor of Medway Cllr Nina Gurung will attend and lay a wreath.
On Sunday, 12 November, a parade will be held along Chatham High Street, meeting at the Rhode Street Car Park, from 10am and will travel through to the high street, crossing Waterfront Way, up to the train station before turning right into Victoria Gardens. A service will then be held in Victoria Gardens and a salute will be taken on the return journey outside The Central Theatre.
Gillingham
The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Nina Gurung and Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple will attend a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial at The Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham at 9am on Sunday, 12 November.
Rochester
A Royal British Legion parade will be held in Rochester on Sunday, 12 November, from 10.25am 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. The Mayor of Medway, Deputy Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Teresa Murray, and Chief Executive, Richard Hicks, will also lay wreaths.
Rainham, Brompton and Hoo
Services will also be held at the war memorial outside Medway Park in Gillingham, St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, Admiralty Terrace in Brompton and in Hoo.
The events are not organised by the council and residents are encouraged to check with the organisers for more information.
"Truly an honour"
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “Medway is incredibly proud of its rich military heritage and our continued links with the armed forces. It is incredibly important that we all take the time to reflect and remember our fallen servicemen and women, as well as their families, and the sacrifices they have made, on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday. It is truly an honour that I will be laying a wreath, on behalf of residents, at the Chatham service once again. We will remember them.”
Road closures
Temporary road closures will be in place on Sunday, 12 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.
Free parking
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: James Street Car Park and Riverside Car Park. The Rhode Street Car Park will be closed between 7am and 3pm,
- In Rainham: Cricketers Car Park,
- In Rochester: Blue Boar Lane Car Park, Cathedral Car Park and Corporation Street Car Park,
- In Gillingham: Medway Park.