Over 150 guests helped celebrate the switch on off the feature lighting at Fort Amherst and the Chatham Naval Memorial on Trafalgar Day, 21st October 2010. Chair of Fort Amherst Heritage Trust Keith Gulvin welcomed guests to the historic Fort, and Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council announced the cannon fire to signal the switch-on of the lights. The low energy lighting will now be on every evening, helping people from across Medway – and beyond – appreciate Chatham’s outstanding heritage. Thanks to Chatham World Heritage Partners Andy Flood and Brian Damerell for taking photographs to mark the occasion.

The feature lighting has been generously supported by the European Union’s Interreg IVA funding stream, as well as the Homes and Communities Agency’s Parklands fund.

Huge thanks to the 64 volunteers who helped at the Fort Amherst ditch clearance weekend. The unrestored area has been absolutely transformed, and is now all set for the arrival of the foot bridge late this year. If you would like to help future volunteer efforts at the Fort, please contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Dave Curry on fortamherstvolunteers@hotmail.com. All offers of assistance gratefully received!

Volunteers hard at work

Volunteers at the end of day one

A welcome crowd of almost 50 volunteers assembled at Brompton-Westbrook primary school yesterday for the first meeting of the Friends of the Great Lines Heritage Park. Guests heard updates on the progress of park improvement works from project officer Nicola Moy, and an introduction to the role of Friends groups from Pat Cooper, of the Medway Urban Parks and Green Spaces Forum. Friends were asked to suggest ways in which they could help the park, and offers of assistance ranged from fund-raising and litter-picking through to setting up and contributing to a Facebook group. The next meeting will be held on 4th November, from 7pm at Medway Council’s Gun Wharf offices (free parking on site, and tea / coffee will be provided). For more information, please contact Nicola Moy on 01634 334319, or via nicola.moy@medway.gov.uk.

All are welcome to a celebration event at Fort Amherst on Thursday 21st October (Trafalgar Day) to mark the switch on of the feature lighting of the Fort and Chatham Naval Memorial. The event will begin at 6.15pm with drinks at the Fort’s visitor centre (food, should you wish, can be purchased). At 6.45pm we will walk as a group to the Fort’s viewing area (walking shoes are advised), ready for cannon fire to signal the switch on of the lights at 7pm. For catering purposes, please let us know by Tuesday 19th October if you are able to attend. As always, friends, relatives and colleagues will be very welcome. There will be free parking on site (donations to Fort Amherst Heritage Trust will be very welcome).

All are invited to the first meeting of the Friends of the Great Lines Heritage Park.
Do you visit the Great Lines? Do you walk your dog there? Do you walk to school or work across the Great Lines? Do you want to be involved in promoting and caring for the Great Lines Heritage Park? If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” please come along to the first meeting of the Friends Group. The meeting will take place at Brompton-Westbrook Primary School, King’s Bastion, in Brompton on Thursday 7th October, from pm – 8.30pm. Parking is available on site, or the nearest bus stop is on Brompton High Street The meeting will be a chance to hear about the latest developments at the park, including what will be happening at Fort Amherst between now and spring 2011. It will be a chance for you to suggest how you can help the park, and make suggestions for events and activities. Please let Nicola Moy, Great Lines Heritage Park project officer know if you are able to attend, by calling 01634 334319 or emailing nicola.moy@medway.gov.uk (booking isn’t essential, but will help us know how many teas and coffees to provide).