Residents in Twydall, Strood West and Luton are being invited to join free community events to celebrate Medway’s Pride in Place programme.
Earlier this year, the government announced that three areas in Medway would benefit from £60million of investment over the next ten years, with Twydall (Gillingham), Rede Common (Strood West) and Luton (Chatham) each receiving £20million.
As part of the Pride in Place programme, three Neighbourhood Boards are being created. These boards will be made up of local residents, community groups, businesses, MPs and the council.
Each board will be led by a chair and will collectively decide how the money for each area should be spent over the next 10 years to make the biggest difference for local people.
As part of the Pride in Place programme, and to celebrate local communities, three family-friendly community celebrations will be taking place to help bring residents together, showcase local businesses and organisations, and mark the start of Pride in Place in Medway.
Taking place across each of the three communities, the events will combine free family-friendly entertainment, activities and community consultation – creating a welcoming space where residents can help shape the place they live whilst enjoying a day of free activities for all ages.
Each event will have a range of attractions, including a funfair, sports activities, family games, arts and crafts, face painting, roaming entertainers and more. Local organisations and council services will also host information stands, and residents will be able to provide feedback which will help shape the Pride in Place programme in each area.
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration, said: “These three events are a wonderful way to help spread the word about the upcoming Pride in Place programme in Twydall, Rede Comon and Luton. Encouraging communities to come together sits at the heart of Pride in Place, and these events will let residents enjoy a really fun free day out, but also let them find out more about how they can get involved in shaping the place they call home.”
Twydall (Gillingham)
The first event will take place in partnership with Naushabah Khan MP.
Date: Saturday, 15 August
Location: Beechings Way Recreation Ground
Time: 11am to 4pm
Naushabah Khan, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, said: “Twydall has always been a community that comes together, whether it's the Community Centre's fundraising fair or the everyday work of neighbours looking out for one another. That's exactly the spirit Pride in Place is here to support.
“This £20million investment is a real chance to build on what already makes Twydall special, and to back the ideas and ambitions of the people who live here. So come along to Beechings Playing Field on Saturday, 15 August, bring your family, friends or neighbours, enjoy the food, games, entertainment and take a moment to have your say on how this money is spent.
“This is your community's investment. Help us shape what it delivers.”
Rede Common (Strood West)
The second event will be delivered in partnership with Lauren Edwards MP.
Date: Sunday 23 August
Location: Bligh Way Park
Time: 11am to 4pm
Lauren Edwards, MP for Rochester and Strood, said: “This event will be a great opportunity to celebrate Strood West, bring the community together, and launch this fantastic investment the Government is making in our area. With a range of fun activities for all ages, we want everybody to come along, enjoy the community spirit, and share their ideas on how we can spend this £20million in funding over the next decade. I’ve already heard some fantastic ideas from local residents at a recent coffee afternoon I hosted in the area, so come along and make your voices heard too.”
Luton (Chatham)
The third event, in partnership with Tris Osborne MP, will take place in Luton in September. Full details, including date, times and location will be announced shortly.
Tris Osborne, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said: "There's already a huge amount to celebrate in Luton. The progress made over recent years hasn't happened by accident. It's happened because local people have rolled up their sleeves, got involved and worked hard to make their community stronger.
Pride in Place gives us a chance to build on that hard work, bring people together and back local ambitions with millions of pounds of investment. So come along with your family, friends or neighbours, enjoy the food and entertainment, and have your say. The best days for Luton are still ahead of us, and this is a chance to help shape what comes next."
Working together for stronger communities
Residents are encouraged to come along to these events, enjoy the activities, meet local organisations and share their ideas for the future of their communities.
To find out more about the Pride in Place programme, visit: Medway.gov.uk/PrideInPlace.