Seven individuals representing Medway culture, creativity and innovation to be honoured as part of Medway Culture Fest 24.
This week Medway’s three universities are awarding honorary degrees to seven figures who have made outstanding contributions to creativity and culture in Medway. The awards celebrate the work of creatives across literary arts and fashion design, heritage and cultural diversity and broadcasting, as well as those who have made it possible for Medway creatives and cultural organisations to thrive.
Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich and University of Kent are awarding four of the honorary degrees at a ceremony at Rochester Cathedral on Wednesday 24 July as part of Medway Culture Fest 24, a year-long programme of cultural events and activities celebrating Medway’s creativity and heritage and the transformational role culture has played in regenerating the area over the last forty years.
Canterbury Christ Church University is awarding honorary doctorates to Dame Zandra Rhodes RDI and Dr Ranj Singh. Dame Zandra’s pioneering fashion and textile career has seen her design for rock icons and royalty including Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana. Having grown up in Chatham and trained at Medway College of Art, Dame Zandra promotes future generations of British fashion designers through the Zandra Rhodes Foundation. Dr Ranj Singh is a Medway born doctor, television presenter, author and columnist. The award recognises his local and national work as a broadcaster to promote awareness of medical science and good health, and an ambassador for equality of opportunity.
The University of Kent is awarding honorary doctorates to Carol Stewart and Alice Oseman. Carol Stewart is the current Chair of Creative Medway and Founder of Medway African and Caribbean Association. The honorary doctorate recognises her work promoting Black History, anti racism and diversity as well as her services to Medway’s creative community. Alice Oseman is creator of the award winning Medway-based LGBTQ+ romance comic Heartstopper and created, wrote and produced its Emmy Award-winning television adaptation on Netflix. The honorary doctorate recognises her outstanding contribution to art and literature and its impact on the young adult LGBTQ+ community.
The University of Greenwich is awarding honorary doctorates to Bill Ferris CBE and Simon Cook. Bill Ferris CBE was Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust for 20 years during which time he transformed the site through a pioneering strategy of preservation through reuse, converting the dilapidated former naval base into a flourishing mixed use heritage site, home to Medway’s creative industries and a driver of culture-led regeneration for Medway. Simon Cook is Principal and CEO of MidKent College and Chair of Medway Place Board. His award recognises his commitment to raising the aspirations of young people across the area and creation of new pathways into the creative industries, including through MidKent College’s new Medway School of Arts. In his role as Medway Place Board Chair, Simon Cook has championed cultural placemaking and was instrumental in Medway’s UK City of Culture bid. The university are also awarding an honorary degree to drag queen River Medway whose time on the BBC show RuPaul’s Drag Race UK saw her become an ambassador for the area. She has since become a local LGBTQ+ advocate, supporting local pride events.
The awards are made as part of Medway Culture Fest 24 a year-long cultural programme marking 40 years of culture-led regeneration in Medway, a period which has seen the former Chatham Dockyard transformed into a thriving heritage site, university campus and creative hub. As well as the 40th anniversary of the closure of the working dockyard, 2024 also sees a number of other significant anniversaries for Medway including 40 years since the foundation of Medway African and Caribbean Association and the centenary of the Medway Queen paddle steamer. Medway Culture Fest 24 is coordinated by Creative Medway in partnership with the local cultural sector, community organisations and Medway’s three universities.
The festival builds on Medway’s proud cultural heritage. A place known for its creativity, innovation and craftsmanship, Medway has been at the forefront of the ages of sail, steam, flight and tech. Medway’s history, landscapes and communities have inspired generations of creatives from Charles Dickens to the musicians of the Medway Sound. Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of Medway’s cultural sector and a sharp increase in the ambition and scale of cultural activity across the area. In 2022, Medway saw a major jump in cultural investment following the launch of the 2020-2030 Creative Medway Cultural Strategy, the foundation of Creative Medway and Medway’s bid to be UK City of Culture. A growth from 1.5 to 7 organisations funded as part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio equates to an additional £6.5 million of investment while Medway’s position at the heart of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor sees it at the centre of an area of rapid cultural expansion with potential to be the largest concentration of creative production in the UK.
Medway Culture Fest 24 invites locals and visitors to explore Medway’s story through a year of cultural events and activities, from large-scale immersive spectacles such as Ghost Ships at Chatham Dockyard and major exhibitions such as the RNLI 200 exhibition, to community events. The programme brings together the work of local and national creative and cultural organisations and supports local communities to put on events with mentoring and training. The year also includes opportunities for children to get hands-on with culture and young people to explore careers in the creative industries. A new cultural volunteering programme Medway Change Makers launched as part of the year, invites people of all ages to take part as volunteers.
Truly a celebration of Medway’s talent
Jatin Patel, Vice-Chair of Creative Medway, said: “I am delighted to see so many of Medway’s significant cultural figures receiving honorary degrees as part of Medway Culture Fest 24. Today is truly a celebration of Medway’s talent, creativity and the role culture has played and continued to play in improving the lives of people in Medway. The Medway Culture Fest 24 programme showcases Medway’s creative talent from world-famous names to the creativity of our young people and communities. The programme reflects the significance of 2024 as an anniversary year for Medway and its people and is packed with opportunities to take part and explore Medway’s unique culture.”
Inspire future generations
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dame Zandra Rhodes to our University community in recognition and celebration of her achievements within fashion. For over 50 years her iconic designs have been at the forefront of international fashion, showcasing UK talent. Her work and reputation have inspired generations of young designers. To honour her incredible influence across modern day culture, back where it all began in Medway, and as part of Medway Culture Fest 24, will hopefully continue to inspire future generations to embrace their creative talents, take the opportunities and make their mark on the world.”
Celebrating and recognising the talent and creativity of the region
Professor Jane Harrington, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of University of Greenwich, said: “We are thrilled to be awarding our two honourees today, recognising their contributions to the Medway area as well as to their own areas of expertise. Their pride in Medway and work advocating for the education, creativity and heritage of the area fits perfectly with the goals and values of the University of Greenwich. We are delighted to be sharing the day with fellow universities in the region as part of Medway Culture Fest 24, celebrating and recognising the talent and creativity of the region.”
Develop the region as a creative centre for the UK
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura of University of Kent, said: “We are delighted to be awarding Carol an honorary degree today in recognition of her services to the Medway community and the creative arts. As the Chair of the Medway African and Caribbean Association, Carol is a leading voice in antiracism whose commitment to celebrating diversity across sectors has led to meaningful change in our region. Her passion for advocating culture, creativity and heritage in Medway aligns with collaborative efforts to develop the region as a creative centre for the UK, through partnerships between universities and others including Medway Council and the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Our new digital creative hub the Docking Station will open in 2025 as a prime example of this, widening possibilities for young people and the communities of Kent and Medway.”
Find out more about Medway Culture Fest 24 and view the full programme.