Messages of Support
Glenn Finch, February 2010
I worked at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham from 2006-2009. It's a very interesting place to work and visit and is a vital part of Medway,s history. It deserves to get World Heritage status and everyone should support the application.
Walter Chatham, February 2010
This is a place I need to visit. I have traced my family back to the United States East Coast then I lost connection. I look at the area and almost feel like I have been here before. Thank you.
Charlie (Carmel) Grima, November 2009
I was an Electrical Fitter Apprentice transferred from the then HM Dockyard Malta to HM Dockyard Chatham to continue my apprenticeship there and studies at the Chatham Dockyard Technical College. During my years at Chatham (1958-1965) I was trained on radar, radio, gunnery, gyroscopes to name a few. It was a wonderful experience, I always felt at home. The lecturers at the Technical College were first class. I remember attending the launching of HMS Ocelot in 1962.I still have an original 1961Dockyard Technical College Prize List. I shall be pleased to send it to you should you want it. Thank you for the wonderful years I spent there with you. God bless England.
John Rodney Cobb, October 2009
I was based at HMS Pembroke/Chatham 1957 as RNR.......I was a trawlerman from Grimsby
Steve Dryden, October 2009
I'm so lucky to now have my art studio in the superb Joiners Shop in the Historic Dockyard.
I have enjoyed immensely strolling around and seeing history at every turn - up-turned canons used as boundary posts, Eighteenth century names scratched into the bricks of the dockside warehouses, the unheralded 400 year old Mulberry in the Commissioner's Garden under which Oliver Cromwell is reputed to have watched his Roundheads fighting the Cavaliers across the river in Rochester.
But most of all I get the greatest pleasure from seeing the place that surrounded my father, David Dryden, when as a teenager, he did his training here during WWII and I know what this place meant to him. I'm walking past the buildings my dad was familiar with years before I was born and it makes for a real bond between me and the Dockyard.
Life goes full circle.
Elizabeth Percy, September 2009
I remember the ponies who used to graze on the Great Lines when I was young (60s and 70s). We didn't know who owned them (and to be honest they were not all very friendly) but it was nice to see them when we used to play there. Any chance of a return?
Response: Thanks Elizabeth. It may be possible to reintroduce some kind of grazing scheme to manage the grassland of the Great Lines Heritage Park, but there are a number of issues which need to be considered - not least the safety and security of the animals and visitors.
Ray Nye, August 2009
Ray has kindly shared his memories of the 1954 accident at Chatham Dockyard, when the caisson of Dry Dock No. 3 gave way:
"I was a shipwright of the May 1953 entry. I remember it well - we were all in the Dockyard College - at carol service - when we were told to leave the 'Yard by Main Gate and not to return that day. We were not told why.
A few years later on I found out my friend Nutty Smouten, a burner, was one of the casualties. He was in the dock at the time and was hurled up out of the dock with the inrush of water, but he recovered ok. What a different place the world was then."
Adrian Lote, EX CY (Yeoman of Signals, retired), July 2009
I remember going to Chatham as a junior, from HMS Ganges and wondering at all the buildings and HMS Pembroke and some of the ships alongside there. I mostly remember HMS Triumph (carrier/repairship), the rope loft and the dry docks. I am so glad that it has been preserved for prosperity and for Chatham's World Heritage.
Doug Mitton, January 2009
I fully support Chatham's bid to become a World Heritage Site.
Steve Pink, December 2008
I'm glad to see that the ropery is still going strong - it's not changed since I worked there 17yrs ago when I was 25 .While I worked there I met the Queen and Prince Philip, and I was in adverts on local television along with some of my work collegues advertising the ropery and the dockyard .The crew that worked there then made rope for the Victory, Cutty Sark and other replica ships and film companies. It was a great experience. Of the two people who trained me the most, one still works there now. Sadly the other, who worked there for fifty years, has since passed away - we all learned so much him.
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.
