Archive
April 2008
On Saturday 26th April several new arrivals will make their long awaited appearance at the Royal Engineers Museum.
The Royal Engineers Museum will oversee the arrival of six new large vehicles to their grounds. The car park will be closed for a day, allowing room to maneouvre and position the new Churchill Tank Bridge Layer, Combat Engineer Tractor, Churchill Tank AVRE, and Terrier Manoeuvre Support Vehicle. Perhaps the most exciting arrivals will be the newly de-classified TROJAN and TITAN tanks, which will sit at the entrance to the Museum, providing a fantastic welcome for visitors.
Trojan in action.
April 2008
There is an exciting community vacancy for a Trustee for the Lower Lines Park - also known as the Admiral's Gardens.
The park will open in autumn 2009 and is the first phase of the Great Lines City Park. It has been made possible thanks to the development of Mid Kent College's new campus, off Medway Road, in Gillingham. The Lower Lines Park will be owned and operated by an independent trust and the college is seeking a local resident to join the Board of Trustees. The successful applicant will have:
- experience of working on a voluntary or elected body,
- a strong commitment to the local area,
- an enthusiasm for heritage and / or ecological issues.
More information can be downloaded here
Click on the photo to enlarge.
March 2008
Save the Date. The next World Heritage Partnership meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th May, within the Royal School of Military Engineering (Brompton Barracks). All Chatham World Heritage Partners will receive an invite. If you're not already a member, why not sign up today?.
The meeting will help develop an action plan arising from the opportunities and challenges identified in the Partnership's last meeting. It will make an important contribution to Chatham's World Heritage application. Anyone with any nature of interest in the site is very welcome.
More details will follow.
March 2008
Is there a special person or project you would like to reward for an outstanding contribution to culture and heritage in Medway? Then the Medway Culture and Design awards could be the place for you. Nominations are open until 28th April 2008, and an awards ceremony will take place in September. For more details, and to obtain a nomination form, click here.
February 2008
Thanks again to everyone who came along to the Chatham World Heritage Partnership meeting on 30th January. A summary, analysis and record of comments can be found here.
There is still time to add your contribution - whether you came to the event, and have more to say, or whether you were unable to make the meeting in person. The summary contains a few particular questions where we would especially welcome additional contributions.
The Partnership will meet again in May, focusing on specific actions stemming from the challenges and opportunities raised in January. To receive updates on Chatham World Heritage activity, and invites to Partnership events, please register here.
February 2008
Many thanks to all who attended the Chatham World Heritage Partnership meeting on Wednesday evening.
Over 80 residents, businesses and stakeholders came along for a lively evening of discussion, designed to shape the way Chatham's World Heritage is cared for into the future. It was the first opportunity to meet the Partnership's new Chair, Lindsey Morgan, who spoke of the long and exciting road ahead, and of her joy at representing such a committed partnership. It was also an opportunity to hear about exciting plans for the National Museums at Chatham project (see December updates below).
The Partnership will meet again in the early summer. To receive updates on Chatham World Heritage activity, and invites to Partnership events, register using the 'Further Information' button on the right of the screen.
The event was once more kindly supported by Hamptons International, seling agents for the quays at Chatham Maritime. To view their words of welcome, please click here.
January 2008
The next meeting of the Chatham World Heritage Partnership will be held on 30th January 2008, from 5.30pm - 7.45pm, at the University of Greenwich's Medway campus. The meeting will focus on how to protect and promote Chatham’s World Heritage, and its findings will form an important part of Chatham’s World Heritage application. All are welcome. The invitation letter and map can be downloaded here: invitation.pdf maps_and_directions.pdf
To find out more, or to reserve a place, please e-mail chathamworldheritage@medway.gov.uk.
We are pleased to confirm that Hamptons International are again generously supporting the event.
January 2008
The Historic Dockyard has won a prestigious award from the Black History Foundation for “the most outstanding contribution to black heritage in 2007 South East”, for the exhibition entitled “Freedom 1807 - The Chatham Dockyard Story”.
The exhibition commemorates the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. It opened on Sunday 25th March 2007, the actual date that the Bill was passed 200 years before.
It takes a different look at the history of Chatham, in the context of Slavery and the Royal Navy’s role in protecting British interests including Caribbean plantations where many of the slaves were forced to work. It also covers the work of Chatham built ships in stopping the slave trade and looks at the ‘hidden history’ of people from ethnic minorities who served with the Royal Navy or worked in the dockyard.
One of The Historic Dockyard’s Historic Warships, HMS Gannet is the only surviving British warship to have taken part in the suppression of the slave trade off Africa during the 19th century. Between 1885 and 1888 she undertook anti-slavery patrols in the Red Sea intercepting Arab slave traders operating off the East Coast of Africa.
December 2007
A new world-class museum will join other leading attractions at The Historic Dockyard in 2010. National Museums at Chatham is being created in partnership with Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum. The new centre will house and display around 4,000 maritime models from the collections of the national museum partners. The museum will be located in No.1 Smithery, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II* listed building. The preservation of No.1 Smithery completes the physical regeneration of The Historic Dockyard. The new attraction will include a touring exhibition gallery for national and international exhibitions. The project has funding and support from English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, SEEDA, Medway Council and Communities and Local Government. It will be a tremendous asset for the World Heritage Site.
November 2007
The National Destroyer Memorial was unveiled on 14th November by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
The specially commissioned bronze monument stands alongside HMS Cavalier at The Historic Dockyard, and is dedicated to the 142 Royal Navy destroyers sunk during the Second World War and the 11,000 men who lost their lives as a result.
The monument is a unique piece of artwork, created by the British sculptor Kenneth Potts. It is 3.8m (12’ 6”) long and 3m (10’ 6”) high . It rests on a granite plinth of recycled dock stone.
The Roll of Honour occupies a prominent position, listing by name the 142 Royal Navy destroyers lost during the war. It also records the sacrifice of the other British, Dominion and Allied destroyers that were lost between 1939 and 1945.
November 2007
The Chatham World Heritage Partnership welcomes a new Chair!
Lindsey Morgan takes up the role with immediate effect. Lindsey works at Mid Kent College, and lectures part time at the University of Kent. She has a background in tourism, conservation, education and marketing, and completed a Master's dissertation on the World Heritage potential of Chatham Dockyard and its Defences.
Lindsey will chair her first meeting in the New Year, when the Partnership will be invited to discuss the future preservation and promotion of Chatham's World Heritage. More details will be posted here, and sent to World Heritage Partners soon.
November 2007
The Fortress Study Group is an international society concerned with the study of military architecture and fortifications. In September 2007, they held their Annual Conference at the University of Greenwich's Medway campus. The conference organiser, Alan Fyson has written to say "Having held their 2007 Annual Conference on the site, the Fortress Study Group strongly supports the Chatham bid for World Heritage Status. To have dockyard, barracks and fortifications all in such close proximity to each other and in such a state of preservation is unparalleled"
November 2007
City Lofts have unveiled exciting plans for the development of the 'Interface Land' - the open area between the Historic Dockyard Visitor Entrance, and the modern developments to the North (Dickensworld, and the Dockside Outlet Centre etc). The developments will 'pay tribute to the industrial and maritime heritage of the dockyard', and will help to bridge the current divide between the old and the new.
There is a period of consultation on their plans, and local views are invited. You can view the plans, and have your say at www.chatham-interface.co.uk.
September 2007
We've received a warm response to our search for a new Chair of the Chatham World Heritage Partnership. Applicants will meet members of the steering group in late October, and the Chair will be announced in November. Thanks to everyone who supported our search with suggestions and nominations.
August 2007
The Chatham World Heritage Partnership is seeking a new Chair, following Barry Shaw's departure to pastures new in Essex. The position is open to any member of the Partnership, and represents an exciting opportunity to become involved in shaping Chatham's future. For more information, please click on the link below. The deadline for applications is 12th September.
July 2007
The Hei People appeared overnight at Fort Amherst on 23rd May. The 130 fully-clothed figures, made from wood, straw and dirt, were made by the internationally acclaimed Finnish artist Reijo Kela.
Local artists and art students joined Reijo to install the artwork. Children from schools across north Kent took part in art lessons, making face masks and miniature scarecrows. Clothes were donated by local residents and Oxfam.
Cruelly, on 4th July, the figures were vandalised, and some thrown in the river. Last week, three people were arrested for the attacks. Project Manager Paivi Seppala said: “Everyone was appalled by the vandals’ behaviour. The North Kent Local Authority Arts Partnership had worked tirelessly to bring this exciting project to Medway, and it had brought joy to so many residents and schoolchildren.
“I have been bowled over by the tremendous amount of public support since the attacks, and my thanks go to everyone who supported the Hei People during their stay in Medway. The public outcry has proved there is huge demand for thought provoking art in Medway and we’re not going to let this minor glitch set us back.”
Photos courtesy of www.spaghettiweston.com
July 2007
The Mayor of Medway Cllr Val Goulden opened the newly restored guardhouse at Fort Amherst on Saturday, and helped fire a cannon to annouce a weekend packed with activity at the Fort. Hundreds of visitors took a break from the sun to tour the underground tunnels, and view drills, skirmishes and cannon fire.
June 2007
The next three years of World Heritage activity for Chatham were set out at at the launch of the Chatham World Heritage Partnership on 14th June. Over 150 guests came to Commissioner’s House – the oldest surviving intact naval building in the world - to hear from:
·Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council.
·Judith Armitt, Chief Executive, Thames Gateway, Communities and Local Government (CLG)
·Joanne Cable, World Heritage Site and Great Lines City Park project manager
·Bob Dimond, Medway 2012 Manager
·Peter Kendall, Team-Leader South East, English Heritage
·Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of the Greenwich Foundation.
Cllr Chambers explained what World Heritage Status would mean for Medway: “World Heritage Site status will be as much about the remarkable people who helped shape Medway, as it is about the physical fabric”
Judith Armitt lent the full support of CLG to Chatham’s World Heritage application, and Great Lines City Park project, and noted her delight at Medway’s sensitive programme of revitalising heritage buildings. She mentioned in particular the transformation of the Drill Hall into a modern, vibrant university library.
Speaking after the event, project manager Joanne Cable said “My thanks go to everyone who came along tonight – to the speakers who offered us their support and experience, and to the residents and organisations who demonstrated their tremendous interest in Chatham’s heritage”.
The event was sponsored by Hamptons International, who are the selling agents for the quays at Chatham Maritime. Trevor Nicholson, Director, noted “we firmly believe that Chatham Maritime is central to the most significant regeneration zone in Europe”.
All those who attended the launch will automatically be invited to future Chatham World Heritage Partnership events. The World Heritage Partnership is an open forum for anyone with an interest in Chatham’s World Heritage, and who would like to contribute to preserving and enhancing this legacy for the future.
New members will always be welcome. To join, please click on Further Information, on the right of the homepage.
June 2007
UK TV History are running an exciting competition to find the UK’s most loved heritage sites. Called ‘Britain’s Best’, they are asking the nation to help them create a comprehensive guide to the best-loved historical locations in Britain.
Chatham Dockyard has received over 4,000 votes, and is currently listed as the 8th most popular heritage site in the south of England. Click on the link below to explore the competition, and to add your support for Chatham’s heritage.
http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/britainsbest.siteDetail/id/388
June 2007.
Chatham’s World Heritage aspirations will be featured on a live report from BBC South East this evening. Reporter Simon Jones will interview Cllr Rodney Chambers, and Richard Holdsworth (Museums and Heritage Director at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust).
May 2007.
The Chatham World Heritage Partnership will be launched at Commissioner’s House, at the heart of the Historic Dockyard, on 14th June 2007, from 5pm – 7.45pm. This open evening will present plans for the next three years, and set out opportunities for involvement. Speakers include Cllr Rodney Chambers (Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration) and Judith Armitt (Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway). Everyone is welcome, although registrations are required, through Janet Odom: janet.odom@medway.gov.uk, or 01634 331582. Light refreshments will be provided, and there is ample parking.
April 2007.
We are pleased to announce that Barry Shaw – Chief Executive of the Kent Architecture Centre, and South East Representative for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) – has accepted the role of Chair of the Chatham World Heritage Partnership. The Partnership will meet two-three times yearly, to guide and help implement the World Heritage Site Management Plan for Chatham Dockyard and its Defences.
February 2007:
The last government shortlist for World Heritage Sites was created in 1999. Since this date, many of these sites have been added to the World Heritage List, or have been given an application date (nominations for 2007 – 2010 have already been decided). It is now time to review the shortlist. Government will examine the list throughout 2007 and 2008, and no new nominations can be announced before this review is complete. Chatham must work with government ministers to decide when their application can be progressed. The nomination dossier will be ready from late 2009
January 2007:
A full time Project Manager has been appointed to steer Chatham’s World Heritage Site application, and to progress the Great Lines City Park Project. Joanne Cable will begin work in February 2007. She has extensive experience of bidding for external funds, and co-ordinating partnership projects. She has recently led an international military heritage research project, which included the dockyard World Heritage Sites of Venice (Italy) and Karlskrona (Sweden).
