Remembrance services will be held across Medway to remember fallen servicemen and women on Sunday 9, November and Tuesday, 11 November.
Chatham
On Sunday, 9 November, a parade will be held along Chatham High Street, meeting at the Rhode Street Car Park from 10.20am. The parade will move to Victoria Gardens for 10.45am, where a service and wreath laying ceremony will be held. Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, will lay a wreath at the service. The parade will then head back to Chatham High Street, stopping to take a salute outside The Central Theatre on the return journey.
On Tuesday, 11 November, a service and wreath laying ceremony will also be held at Victoria Gardens at 10.45am.
Gillingham
On Sunday, 9 November, at 8.45am, a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Great Lines Heritage Park, where the Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, and the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Trevor Clarke, will lay a wreath.
A service and wreath laying ceremony will also be held at the War Memorial by Medway Park at 9.50am. Following the service, a parade will take place from the war memorial towards St Mark’s church on Canterbury Street.
Rochester
A Royal British Legion parade will also be held in Rochester starting at 10.25am on Sunday, 9 November, followed by a service at Rochester Cathedral. Members of the public are able to attend the cathedral service, however, there will only be a small number of seats available on a first come, first served basis once those taking part in the parade have been seated. Medway Council’s Chief Executive, Richard Hicks, will attend the service, and the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Trevor Clarke, and Deputy Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Teresa Murray will lay wreaths.
Following the cathedral service, the parade will reform and march back down the High Street. They will stop at the war memorial to lay wreaths, before moving further down the High Street where the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Trevor Clarke and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL, will take a salute.
Brompton, Hoo and Rainham
Services are also being held at St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, in Brompton and in Hoo. The events in Brompton and Hoo are not organised by the council, and residents are encouraged to check with the organisers for more information.
Long and proud military history
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said: “Medway has a long and proud military history, and I know that residents across Medway, including myself, have those deep personal relationships with the Armed Forces too. Stopping to pause and reflect on the sacrifices that servicemen and women, and their families, have made for us is so important. There is added significance this year too, a year which has marked the 80th anniversaries of both VE and VJ Day. Stopping to pause and reflect on the sacrifices that servicemen and women, and their families, have made for us is so important – we will remember them."
Pause and remember
Cllr Chrissy Stamp, Medway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Remembrance Day, and Remembrance Sunday, are significant days for all of us– and I know that on these days in particular my fellow veterans will all have their personal stories and memories they will want to mark. Taking that time to remember and honour our veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us is incredibly important. Wherever you are, at one of the services or just at home, I hope you are able to take a moment out of your day to pause and remember.”
Free parking
There will be free parking in some council car parks on Remembrance Sunday (9 November). Residents will be able to park in the following car parks for free, between 7am and 3pm:
- In Chatham: James Street Car Park and Riverside Car Park.
- Rhode Street Car Park will be closed between 6.30am and 12.30pm.
- In Rainham: Cricketers Car Park.
- In Rochester: Blue Boar Lane Car Park, Cathedral Car Park and Corporation Street Car Park.
- Boley Hill and Kings Head car parks will be closed between 6am and 2pm.
- Additional blue badge parking will be available in the bays outside The Bridge Chapel & Chambers on the Esplanade.
- In Gillingham: Medway Park.
Road closures
Temporary road closures will be in place on Sunday, 9 November to allow services and parades to be carried out safely.
Rochester:
From 8am to 2pm the following roads will be closed:
- Castle Hill from its junction with the Esplanade including Castle Hill Court (resident access will be permitted).
- Epaul Lane.
- High Street between the Guildhall Museum and Eastgate Court.
- Eastgate Terrace near its junction with High Street.
- Crow Lane near its junction with High Street.
- Blue boar Lane near its junction with High Street.
- La Providence near its junction with High Street.
- Northgate from its junction with Cathedral Garage car park to its junction with High Street.
- Boley Hill from its junction with St Margaret’s Street and High Street.
Chatham:
From 8am to 2pm the following roads will be closed:
- Richard Street from its junction with Meeting House Lane to its junction with Rhode Street.
- Rhode Street from its junction with Claremont Way to its junction with High Street.
- James Street.
- Clover Street.
- High Street from its junction with High Street to its junction with Best Street.
- Waterfront Way from its junction with High Street to its junction with Best Street.
- The Paddock from its junction to Military Road.
- Best Street from its junction with Railway Street.
- Railway Street from its junction with High Street to its junction with Ordnance Terrace.
- Ordnance Terrace from its junction with Railway Street to its junction with Fort Pitt Street.
- Albany Terrace from its junction with Fort Pitt Street to its junction with Boundary Road.
- Fort Pitt Hill from its junction with Boundary Road to its junction with Junction with Cressey Court (including Boundary Road).
Gillingham:
From 9.15am until around 10.45am, the following road will be closed:
- Mill Road from its junction with Brompton Road to Medway Park car park.
From 10.30am until around 10.45am the following roads will be closed:
- High Street from its junction with Brompton Road to its junction with Skinner Street and Canterbury Street.
- Marlborough Road from its junction with Brompton Road.
- Arden Street from its junction with Jeffery Street to its junction with High Street.
- Fox Street from its junction with Jeffery Street.
- Britton Street from its junction with High Street.
Rainham:
From 10.30am to 11.30am the following road will be closed:
- A2 High Street Rainham from its junction with Orchard Street to its junction with Ivy Street (including its junction with Station Road).