Published: Tuesday, 5th November 2024
Remembrance services will be held across Medway to remember fallen servicemen and women on Sunday 10, November and Monday, 11 November.
Chatham
On Sunday, 10 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 Monday, 11 November, a service and wreath laying ceremony will also be held at Victoria Gardens at 10.45am. The Deputy Mayor of Medway, Douglas Hamandishe, will attend and lay a wreath.
Gillingham
On Sunday, 10 November, at 8.45am, a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Great Lines Heritage Park, where the Mayor of Medway, Marian Nestorov, 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, 10 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, Marian Nestorov, 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, Marian Nestorov, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Annabel Colgrain, and High Sheriff of Kent, Dr Gillian Fargher, take a salute.
Brompton, Hoo and Rainham
Services are also being held at St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, in Brompton and in Hoo. These events are not organised by the council, and residents are encouraged to check with the organisers for more information.
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said: “Taking the time to reflect on the sacrifices our servicemen and women, as well as their families, have made allows us to remember and honour them. This year is especially poignant both nationally and in Medway, as it marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day as well as the 100th anniversary since the war memorial at The Great Lines Heritage Park was first unveiled.
“Medway has a strong military history and links with our armed forces, which continue to this day. The reason Medway is my home is due to my Dad’s service in the Royal Navy. Being able to lay a wreath at the Chatham service on behalf of our residents is a genuine honour.”
Cllr Chrissy Stamp, Medway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Making sure we all take the time to pay our respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us is incredibly important. This year, as a veteran, I am privileged to be marching at the London Cenotaph to pay my respects. Whether you attend one of the services taking place, or just take a moment out of your day, it is an opportunity for all of us to pause and think of our fallen servicemen and women. We will remember them.”
Road closures
Temporary road closures will be in place on Sunday, 10 November to allow services and parades to be carried out safely.
Road closures will be in place across Gillingham town centre for a short period, including from the entrance to Medway Park car park to top of Mill Road. In Chatham, there will be road closures in Richard Street, Chatham High Street, Waterfront Way, Railway Street, Albany Terrace and Fort Pitt Hill. In Rochester, road closures will be in place in the High Street, Boley Hill and Northgate.
Free parking
There will be free parking in some council car parks on Remembrance Sunday (10 October). Residents will be able to park in the following car parks for free, between 7am and 3pm:
- In Chatham: James Street Car Park, Riverside Car Park. 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.