Messages of Support
Sharon Gardner, November 2008
My Grandad was in the Navy and I have always been proud of him and all our heroes who serve their country.
Nicola Roberts, August 2008
I wholeheartedly support this bid - several generations of my family have either worked in the dockyard or been based there with the navy, it's a big part of my family history. My Dad worked as an electrician for nearly 40 years, mainly on submarines - he worked on the last submarine to be built in the dockyard - HMCS Okanagan along with her sister ships. His office was on the mac1010 and we always used to joke that he was its captain!! He worked right up until the day the dockyard closed - the end of an era for our family.
Louise Wales, April 2008
Chatham has so much to be proud of - but one thing that stands out is that we built HMS Victory! Every school child knows something about her, and the fact that we can proudly call her "ours" makes this site extra special and worthy of world recognition!
John Sands, Chief Executive, mhs homes, February 2008
Good luck to the people of Medway in their justifiable bid for Chatham World Heritage status - from the staff of mhs homes whose offices sit on the Heritage site boundary, and from all our tenants, particularly those who live in the application area.
Keith Tibbles, January 2008
My earliest memory of Chatham was the Navy Days celebrations of the 1980s. I was in awe of the ships and helicopters entertaining us. Only 13/14 years old I was still unaware of the many people soon to be out of work as the dockyard closed. Now 26 years on I still meet people with fond memories of working there and hear their toil in finding a trade and building a new business to support their families. Many have succeded and many still chase the eternal prize. The new beginning in Medway will give all of us hope for a brighter future. The vision of the council to regenerate dead land will benefit us all.
Fred Boddy, December 2007
I am very pleased to support Chatham Dockyard's application for World Heritage Site Status. It is one of Britain's greatest treasures.
Bill Fowler, November 2007
What a fantastic opportunity for Chatham Dockyard and its unique defences to be recognised on the world stage. The Chatham Garrison was the 'Aldershot' of its age, and was known throughout the Empire - the Dockyard was one of the most important Naval locations in the world. Although the ravages of time have taken a toll there is still much here to be celebrated. I urge the people of Medway to get behind the campaign to achieve World Heritage Site status for the Dockyard and its defences.
Fortress Study Group, October 2007
"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".
Michael Henderson, Director, IPS International Ltd, August 2007:
IPS International has a long history of engineering training on the banks of the river Medway, especially in training apprentices. As a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) we are conscious of the parallels with Chatham Dockyard's long tradition of training young people to pursue a career at the forefront of technology and innovation. IPS International is proud to back Chatham's World Heritage Site bid.
Clive Stanley, July 2007:
There is an overwhelming amount of history and heritage within the Chatham area. It must be both celebrated and saved for future generations to learn and enjoy.
My best wishes to all involved in the World Heritage Site bid -- I know you will succeed.
Liz Collier, July 2007:
Best wishes from Hull.
