Medway Matters October November 2011

ISSUE 36 October/November 2011 Circulation: 115,471

All aboard for Chatham shopping Pages 14-17 www.medway.gov.uk

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October/November 2011

Contacting Medway Council On the internet: Visit www.medway.gov.uk By phone: Call 333333 for enquiries about waste, recycling, roads, traffic management, public transport, green spaces and environmental health (Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm).

Phone 332222 for council tax and benefit enquiries. Phone 306000 for all other services.

Minicom: 01634 333111 or TextRelay: 18001 01634 333333 By letter: Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR There are a number of places providing local access to council services: ● Chatham Community Hub, Chatham Library, Chatham Riverside, ME4 4TX Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5pm, Tuesday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm ● Chatham

Riverside One, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TX (Housing benefits, general housing, council tax, business rates only)

Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.15pm, Friday: 8.30am to 4.45pm, Saturday: Closed

Gillingham Contact Point, Gillingham Library, High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1BG Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5pm, Tuesday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm ●

Rainham Contact Point, 1 - 3 Station Road, Rainham, ME8 7RS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5pm, Wednesday: 9am to 7.30pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm ●

Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester, ME1 1EW

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 1pm ●

Strood Clocktower, Civic Centre, Strood, ME2 4AU

Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.15pm, Friday: 8.30am to 4.45pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm

Rainham and Strood Contact Points also include Kent Police services ADVERTISEMENT

Call: 01634 848441 for a no obligation appointment Offices in: Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Whitstable

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INSIDE

Get on board this autumn Well summer may be a fading memory – wasn’t there some sun in May? But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to look forward to once the clocks go back.

Recycling separates Why separating your recycling could save the council money Page 5

British Summer Time 2011 brought you the Castle Concerts – with N-Dubz, Squeeze and Peter Andre sharing the bill and a beautiful setting with thousands of fans.

It also put Medway on the sporting map, courtesy of the Modern Pentathlon European championships, held at Medway Park, Gillingham, the regional centre of sporting excellence officially opened in July by HRH The Princess Royal.

But what to do now with your shorter days and chillier nights? Well you could take the dog for a brisk walk in Broomfield Park, Strood – now recognised as one of the UK’s best kept open spaces having achieved Green Flag status – or just admire the spectacular views.

Community News Rochester Castle preservation and £1 concert offer Page 22 Autumn Colour Chris Collins' Gardening column Pages 23

Or you could visit our new ticketing website – www.medwayticketslive.co.uk and discover what is going on at Medway’s theatres. Read our What’s On page (29) for a taste of upcoming shows. Highlights include Bob Geldof, Julian Lloyd Webber and Vanilla Ice in Peter Pan. By the time this edition lands on your doormat Chatham’s Waterfront bus station will be nearing completion. Inside you’ll find a guide to the new facility, which will transform public transport in the area and offer a more welcoming reception for visitors when it opens on 10 October.

If you’ve not been to Chatham lately our shopping guide on pages 16 and 17 - complete with a £1,000 Pentagon voucher competition - reveals more than 300 reasons why you should give it another look. That’s the number of shops offering something for everyone without breaking the bank. This issue comes out just before the deadline for secondary school applications. If you have yet to get your child’s form done there’s a short guide to what to do inside, including details on applying online.

For those considering higher education we also fly the flag for the area’s four universities with a special feature on why there’s nowhere better to study than here in Medway.

Apprenticeship scheme Young people help get Medway Queen ship shape Page 19

John Staples, Editor

Spotlight on: Vintage aircraft expert Lewis Deal, MBE Page 28 What's On A selection of upcoming events in Medway Page 29 Cover picture: Chatham Waterfront © Dave Heathfield

On the buses – Our guide to Chatham Waterfront bus station Pages 14 and 15 Market offer - Set out your stall as a market trader Page 19

Bonfire Night - Details of this year's Medway firework spectacular Page 11

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Chatham shopping – Win £1,000 of shopping vouchers at the Pentagon Centre, Chatham Page 17

Keep it local - Thinking of applying to university?

Reasons to stay local in 2012 Pages 20 and 21

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School now ready for a new generation Children at Walderslade Primary had more than a new timetable and holiday gossip to get up to speed as the school’s new building opened its doors.

More than 100 years after it first opened, the primary, on Dargets Road, has had a 21st century makeover.

Gone is the old, cramped school building and in its place is a complete rebuild with seven classrooms, an assembly hall, a green roof garden and an amphitheatre for outdoor teaching.

It also has a new area for reception and nursery classes, catering for up to 52 children under the age of four, as well as a landscaped playground.

The project is the largest of the improvements being made to schools across Medway as part of the council’s school capital programme.

Staff and pupils at Walderslade have been enjoying their new surroundings since term began in September and will be holding a celebration event on 14 October to coincide with the school’s 105th anniversary.

Headteacher Angela Milne, said: “It’s exciting to be in the new building and

enjoying all the space we now have both indoors and out.

“We can’t wait to start making full use of the building and the extended opportunities and facilities it gives to our pupils and the local community.

“The rebuild has also been an opportunity for the children to learn about the history of their school and about the skills needed to create a new building.”

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: “This is a really significant milestone for our programme of improvements to schools across Medway and it’s great to see all the children and staff at the school settling into their new building.

“This project has always been about providing a school that is not only equipped for 21st century learning but is a place for the community to enjoy and I am sure that it will become just that.”

apply online Secondary school places 2012

October/November 2011

A number of other school projects are also taking place as part of the improvement scheme, including: Lordswood School Work to link the former infant and junior school buildings, remodelled classrooms.

Napier Community Primary Work to the school hall, playground and new block for community and staff use.

Oaklands Primary Work to new children’s centre accommodation and classroom improvements.

Thames View Infant and Junior Schools A new entrance area ready for the amalgamation of the Infant and Junior Schools in April 2012.

New and remodelled rooms in the nursery area.

All Faiths Community School Work to new children’s centre, school hall and three new classrooms.

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School Work to create a new design and technology building for students.

Riverside Primary School Work to improve outside spaces at the school.

Parents and carers can log on to apply for their child’s secondary school place online.

The deadline for naming up to six secondary school choices for 2012 is 4pm on Monday, 31 October. All paper application forms also need to be submitted by this date.

By applying online parents and carers, who provide an email address, will receive an email confirming their application has been received.

Applications by Medway residents should be sent to Medway Council, even if they include schools outside of the Medway area.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: “Making the move to secondary school can sometimes be a quite daunting time for young people and families, but it is of course also an exciting time full of opportunities.

“Here in Medway we have a selection of fantastic secondary schools each offering young people the chance to learn, grow and fulfil their potential.

“There are numerous benefits of applying online.

Applications are sent direct to the council and parents who have provided an email address will receive a copy of their completed form.

“They are also emailed details of their child’s school place on 1 March 2012, the day offers are made, rather than that anxious wait by the letter box.” n To apply online or to get advice, visit www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions or call the Student Services Admissions Team on 331110.

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Three simple steps to better recycling When we collect recycling we now ask you to split out your paper and cardboard from your other recycling. By doing this we can now collect mixed household plastic, such as pots, tubs and trays, as well as plastic bottles - something many residents have asked us to do.

Step 1:

Put all your paper and card into your reusable blue bag or box.

Blue bags or boxes which contain materials other than the types of paper and card listed here may not be collected.

Please don't put carrier bags into your blue bag or box as we may not be able to collect your paper and card for recycling if it has plastic carrier bags in it.

Step 2:

Put all your other recycling in your reusable white bag or clear sacks White bags or clear sacks which contain paper, card or other materials not listed here may not be collected.

Blue bags and blue boxes - paper and card only

✔ Newspapers/ magazines

recycling out by 7am on your usual collection day for recycling As long as it’s separated correctly our teams will collect your recycling and return your reusable bags for next time. If recycling isn't separated correctly we may not be able to recycle it and it may be left for you to separate for a future recycling collection.

✔ Telephone directories

✔

✔ Envelopes, junk mail and paper

Flattened cardboard, cereal and egg boxes

White bags and clear sacks

✔ Glass bottles and jars

Step 3: Put all your

But by putting your paper and cardboard into your blue reusable sack or box you're also helping save more than £1m per year that's because having paper and cardboard already separated from other materials means it's far cheaper to recycle than when it's mixed up with other materials.

So follow our simple three step guide to recycling your household waste, doing your bit for the environment, helping us to save more than £1m each year and keeping Medway's council tax bills the lowest anywhere in Kent.

✔ Food and drinks cans

✔

✔ Empty aerosols

Clean foil

✔ Household plastic packaging

What about

shredded paper?

We can collect shredded paper in blue sacks and boxes, but it's worth remembering...

• you can reduce how much you shred by only shredding paper that has sensitive information on such as bank details; • you could tear off the part with sensitive information and only shred that part - then place it in an envelope for recycling in your blue sack or box; • if you have a brown wheelie bin, you can place shredded paper loose inside with the garden/food waste. You can also compost shredded paper in a home compost bin.

For more information phone 333333 or visit www.medway.gov.uk/recyclenow Serving You

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© Rodel N. Casio

Medway M att e r s

Book survey results Library users across Medway have been voting for their favourite authors and what they would like to see more of on the shelves in future.

The three month online survey was run in response to a decision by Medway Council in April to allocate £92,000 for new additions to the library’s book collection.

The survey revealed Top 10 fiction as the most popular category of book, with crime thrillers the most popular genre.

Love is not in the air it seems in Medway with romance the least popular category of books.

Children’s picture books are a real family favourite, which is not surprising given the number of events for young people held in libraries across Medway.

Readers also wanted more by authors such as Patricia Cornwell, Jeffrey Archer and John Grisham alongside ancient Greek aficionados Elytis Nikos Kazantzakis, and Immanuel Kant.

Library users were also keen to see

complete series of books stocked, more choice for gay and lesbian readers and a wider range of American crime novels.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture Cllr Howard Doe, said: “We were delighted with the response to this survey with plenty of suggestions from book fans about what they’d like to see on the shelves at Medway’s libraries.

“What was particularly positive was a lot of the suggestions fitted in with what the service is doing already. We will be using the survey to help guide us on filling the gaps.”

Medway Libraries can source books from other libraries across the UK if requested to do so. Please visit your nearest library and ask a member of staff for details.

Suggestions for the library stock can be made throughout the year either via www.medway.gov.uk/libraries or the Medway Libraries Facebook page www.facebook.com/medwaylibraries

October/November 2011

New service tips the scales Specially designed scales for wheelchair users are now available at council buildings across Medway.

People with mobility problems, and wheelchair users, can now keep a check on their weight using scales at Strood Leisure Centre, Lordswood Leisure Centre, Medway Park, Gillingham, Chatham Library and Hoo Sports Centre.

People can weigh themselves in a wheelchair or on a chair with a handrail providing support. The scales can weigh people and their wheel chairs up to a maximum of 300kg.

Cllr David Brake, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, said: “Research has shown there is a demand for this service and we’re delighted to be able to give the public what they want. We’ve sited these scales in the places that are most accessible to the greatest number of residents.”

Medway Council’s Physical Disability Partnership Board identified the need for wheelchair scales in the community, and the council and NHS Medway worked together to identify suitable locations.

The board recognised that people who are wheelchair users, or have mobility problems, needed access to scales outside of medical settings to help keep control of their weight and manage a healthy lifestyle.

Top five requested book genres 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Top 10 fiction Crime thrillers Historical Top 10 non-fiction Biography/autobiography © Office for Disability Issues (www.odi.gov.uk)

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October/November 2011

An enchanting tale featuring a cast of loveable characters is sure to delight young theatre goers this festive season.

The Christmas Adventure of Snowy the Fox will be at The Brook Theatre, Chatham from Wednesday, 7 December to Saturday, 24 December.

Created especially for children aged three to six-years-old, this magical festive adventure is full of music, dance and delightful costumes.

Every year, Snowy the Fox and the clever creatures of the Magical Christmas Circus perform a festive show for Father Christmas, and give him a wonderful Christmas present. But a piece of the present has gone missing.

Join Snowy and the circus friends as they journey high and low through colourful and exciting lands in search of the missing piece. Help Snowy to solve clues and puzzles so that Father Christmas can enjoy his favourite Magical Christmas Circus show and open his lovely present.

The 50-minute show has been created by three of The Brook’s resident professional performing arts companies – Play on Words Theatre Company, Icon Theatre Company and Loop Dance Company.

Tickets are priced at £6.95 for children and adults. Group offers are available. n To book tickets visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk or phone the box office on 338338.

Have you tried the NEW One lucky family is looking forward to an adventure in Neverland this Christmas.

In the last edition of Medway Matters we offered readers the chance to win a family ticket for this year’s spectacular panto Peter Pan at the Central Theatre, Chatham.

The lucky winners are Paul and Joan Bennett from Cuxton, who correctly answered that international rap superstar Vanilla Ice, pictured right, will be playing Captain Hook in this year’s show.

Joan told Medway Matters; “This is such a lovely surprise, especially as we’ve never been to The Central Theatre pantomime before.

“We’re going to take our grandchildren, Aidan and Ella.

“We all enjoyed seeing Vanilla Ice in Dancing On Ice so we’re very excited about seeing him in Chatham.” n For more information visit www.medwaypanto.co.uk

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Medway tickets website?

A new box office system for Medway’s two theatres means tickets are now easier to book online.

And a new website – www.medwayticketslive.co.uk – is now a one-stop shop for tickets to live events in Medway.

The website boasts a secure online payment system with encrypted data protection.

Theatregoers and festival enthusiasts will be able to search the website for tickets by type, or by venue. The 2011 autumn theatre brochure is also available to download.

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garden

A homeowner who ignored two demands by a court to clear his untidy garden is now nearly £8,000 out of pocket.

In January 2010 magistrates said Barrie Taylor, 52, faced being fined £40 for each day he failed to sort the mess behind his house in Woodstock Road, Strood.

Despite this, four months later, he had still failed to act and magistrates fined him a further £2,000 plus £175 costs and a £15 victims’ surcharge.

Now they have handed Taylor an extra £4,000 fine after hearing that he did not clear up the garden and left it for Medway Council to sort out instead last December.

Taylor, who lives in Burridge Road, Plumstead, was also told to pay the council £1,263.13 for the garden clearance and disposal costs, £150 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Overall it means Taylor will have to pay a total of £7,958.13 for failing to clear his garden.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact, said: “If you allow your garden to get into this kind of state it not only has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of your neighbours, it makes the whole area look bad as well.

“The council first became involved in this case in June 2008 and consistently asked Mr Taylor to sort out this eyesore.

“It is only because he has chosen not to do so that he now has to pay such a huge amount of money.”

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expensive

Magistrates were told in January 2010 how the back garden of Taylor’s terraced home had so much rubbish spilling onto it from a run-down conservatory that it was piled high against a wall dividing the property from others.

A fridge with no door was left with items still in it and the overgrown garden was full of refuse sacks buried under a mountain of other waste such as chairs, the ripped off door of a shed and an upturned washing machine.

Balanced precariously on top of this pile were two dumped white bedsteads and a clothes airer. The front garden was also overgrown and strewn with rubbish.

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n Views across Medway from Broomhill Park, Strood

Parks get the green flag Five Medway parks are now among the best in the country, and that’s official.

Green Flag status was recently given to Broomhill Park, Strood with Capstone Farm Country Park in Chatham; Riverside Country Park and Hillyfields in Gillingham plus The Vines in Rochester all retaining the award.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe said: “I am delighted that Broomhill Park in Strood has been awarded Green Flag status.

“These five open spaces in Medway have received this superb national accolade because they play an important role in bringing people together and improving quality of life.

“Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and

dedication has helped Broomhill achieve this award and to everyone who has helped to ensure the four other parks have retained this recognition of excellence.”

The Friends of Broomhill group has been instrumental in transforming the space, including a junior play area, viewing areas out towards the Thames Estuary and Medway, interpretation boards and a picnic area.

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace. n For more on the Broomhill Park project visit www.friendsofbroomhill.org.uk

Medway set to bid for new engineering college A centre of engineering excellence could be developed in Medway, offering specialist teaching and training for 14 – 19 year olds.

Medway Council is working with local businesses, MidKent College and the University of Greenwich on proposals for a new University Technical College (UTC) in Medway.

Billed as a new concept in education, University Technical Colleges will specialise in subjects like engineering and construction, taught alongside business skills and ICT.

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They are sponsored by a university and supported by local businesses and employers, who will help shape the curriculum to ensure students have the right skills to help them progress into higher education or employment.

The Baker Dearing Educational Trust and the Department for Education, will co-ordinate and judge the bids for 24 UK UTCs set to open by 2014.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: “These are very exciting proposals and it’s great to see them moving forward

and starting to take shape.

“Bringing a University Technical College to Medway will mean we can offer our young people who want to study more vocational courses, the facilities and teaching they need to fulfil their abilities and ambitions.”

“One of the features of the UTC is that it works in a very practical, hands on way, working jointly with local industry and colleges. We are very fortunate in Medway to have such a positive relationship already with such partners, including the Royal Engineers.”

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Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, met with young people involved in the Our Medway, Olympics inspired, education scheme during her visit to officially open Medway Park in July. The Gillingham based sports centre will be used as a pre-games training camp by Olympic and Paralympic teams including Senegal and Barbados next year.

Schools going for gold A huge year of school sport has begun in Medway in the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Primary and secondary school pupils are being given the chance to compete in more competitions and leagues than ever before.

In addition to the traditional Mini Youth and Secondary School Games competitions, Medway Council and its partners are running winter and summer Festivals of Sport – the pinnacle of competitive school sport in Medway.

Leading Medway schools will have the chance to compete in Night of Champions events, in line with the Government’s plans for a nationwide Olympic and Paralympicstyle competition.

Winners from the relevant Medway Festival of Sport competitions will then go forward to compete in the Kent Festival of Sport, where they could progress to the national finals of the School Games. Details of the county and

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national events were still being finalised at the time of going to press.

Cllr Howard Doe, Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “The games series has been the cornerstone of school sport in Medway for many years, providing healthy competition with an emphasis on fair play, participation and respect for the opposition.

“They have now taken on an even greater significance as they become an integral part of the Medway Festivals of Sport, and the wider national plans for competitive school sport as part of the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I wish all of the schools a great season of sport in such a historic sporting year.”

■ For more information about the Medway Games Series in 2011/12, visit www.medway.gov.uk/sportsdevelopment

October / November 2011

2010/11 MYG results Overall Series 1 St Margaret’s Junior School (pictured below) 2 Balfour Junior School 3 Sherwin Knight Junior School Overall Fairplay 1 Allhallows Primary School 2 St Margaret’s Junior School 3 All Saints Primary School Highest Placed Small School 1 Wainscott Primary School 2 Walderslade Primary School 3 St Augustine of Canterbury Primary School

2010/11 SSG results Girls’ Overall Series 1 Rainham School for Girls 2 Walderslade Girls’ School 3 Brompton Academy Boys’ Overall Series 1 Greenacre School 2 Chatham Grammar School for Boys 3 The Howard School

The Medway Mini Youth Games (MYG) - Primary schools compete in eight inter-school events during the academic year. The series is organised by the council’s 2012 and Sports Development Team with the support of Medway’s two school sports partnerships, national governing bodies, local sports clubs and leisure facilities.

Medway Secondary Schools Games (SSG) - These feature 12 events, with new sports being added for 2011/12.

Medway Council also runs three disability games events during the school year – a winter, swimming and summer multisport competition.

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October / November 2011

Support our campaign against airport plan The council, with the support of Kent County Council and the RSPB, continues to campaign against proposals for an airport in the Thames estuary.

The Mayor of London wants to spend up to £70 billion on a huge six-runway airport on an island off the Kent coast.

Such a scheme would turn parts of Medway and Kent into a concrete jungle and cause significant environmental damage.

Fortunately our research has shown that this has little support. Ninety percent of airlines that use Heathrow are against the

proposals and the Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the government has no plans for such a scheme.

Medway Council Leader Cllr Rodney Chambers said, “An estuary airport is unnecessary and unaffordable and has little support. We will continue to campaign against this pie in the sky scheme until the Mayor of London drops his proposals.”

■ Airport plan would have a devastating environmental impact on Medway.

Sign our petition against the proposals online at www.stopestuaryairport.co.uk

Bonfire Night display This year Medway’s annual bonfire and fireworks display takes place on the big night itself, Saturday 5 November at the Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham.

The safest way to enjoy the night is by going to a professionally organised display, and this free event is the perfect way for families to enjoy the evening.

The Mayor of Medway, Cllr. Ted Baker will light the bonfire, built by Royal Engineers based at Brompton barracks, at 7pm; with the display starting at 7.30pm.

Refreshments will be on sale throughout the evening.

Visitors are asked not to bring their own fireworks or sparklers. Pets should also be kept away. There are no parking or toilet facilities on the site.

Pay and display parking is available in the following car parks: Gillingham: Medway Park, Mill Road, ME7 1HF Britton Farm, Jeffery Street (A231) ME7 1LH Jeffery Street, Jeffery Street ME7 1DD Little Woods, Jeffery Street ME7 1DG Chatham: Town Hall / Whiffens Avenue ME4 4SF Gun Wharf, Dock Road ME4 4TX Riverside, Dock Road ME4 4SL Slicketts Hill, Slicketts Hill ME4 4NH Market Hall, Cross Street ME4 4NH For more on the Great Lines display plus road closures and advice visit: www.medway.gov.uk/fireworks

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Remembrance Services in Medway The following parades and services will be held across Medway in honour of those who have sacrificed their lives in battle.

■ Saturday, 12 November, 10.45am: The Royal Marines Association: Annual Remembrance Service and Turning the Page Ceremony at Rochester Cathedral.

■ Sunday, 13 November, 9am: Royal Naval Service and wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial, Great Lines, Gillingham.

9.55am: Black Lion War Memorial: Ceremony then service at St Mark’s Church.

10.15am: St Margaret’s Church/ Rainham War Memorial: Remembrance Service and wreath laying ceremony.

10:40am: Rochester Cathedral: The Mayor of Medway Cllr Ted Baker will join a parade from the Guildhall Museum to Rochester Cathedral. A wreath laying ceremony will follow at the Rochester War Memorial.

10:45am: Victoria Gardens, Chatham: Remembrance Service.

11am: Brompton War Memorial, Wood Street.

Wreath laying ceremony.

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October / November 2011

Celebrating Black History October is a month of music, dance and storytelling as events to mark Black History Month take place all over Medway.

This annual festival celebrating diverse cultures and traditions has it all - from live music performances and specialist foods events to story telling and circus tricks.

■ Throughout October: A celebration of African Art by local artist Ishola Familusi at the Brook Theatre, Chatham.

■ Tuesday, 4 October: Launch event at The Pilkington Building at the Medway Campus of the University of Kent. Members of the county’s Youth Parliament host a celebration of art, poetry, dance and fashion.

There will also be a live music and dance event at Fort Pitt Grammar School and Medway Hindu Community Centre.

■ Saturday, 8 October: an evening of traditional Sri Lankan food and music at Palm Cottage, Gillingham.

■ Thursday, 27 October: Lindy Hop Style – Half day dance workshop for 8-16 year olds at the Brook Theatre.

■ Friday, 14 October: Ladies day with henna artists at Medway Hindu Sabha, Gillingham.

■ Friday, 28 October: West African story telling for children at Strood and Gillingham libraries. For more details phone 332761 or visit www.medway.gov.uk/bhm

■ Wednesday, 19 October: Keith Flett talks about Medway’s William Cuffay, the radical Victorian Chartist, at Wigmore Library.

■ Saturday, 22 October: Surya Turner brings tales from the Caribbean and Africa to Rochester Library.

■ Tuesday, 25 October: An African circus spectacular. Half day workshop for chilldren aged 8-14 at the Brook Theatre.

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Donate your scraps Your scrap materials – from colourful fabric to buttons and beads – could make playtime a lot more fun for young children in Medway.

The Scrap Store in Bligh Way, Strood, is run by Medway Council’s Early Years and Childcare Professional Development Centre.

Materials such as clean fabrics, unused card and paper; wool, old jewellery and craft materials are transformed into items for playtime. Donations have been used as sheeting for den making, book bags, tabards and dressing up clothes. The Women’s Institute Cuxton Craft group recently made button blankets and soft toys for story sacks.

The store has been supported by residents, businesses and voluntary organisations since its launch two years ago, but needs a regular supply of materials to keep going.

The scheme is backed by Medway Council because it helps to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste being sent to landfill.

■ To make a donation or for more details call 331488.

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Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Love Medway making a difference Huey Lewis and the News, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Jennifer Rush, they’ve all sung about the power of love.

But it’s often actions that speak louder than words and Medway Council’s frontline officers are passionate about the work they do to keep Medway clean, safe and green for everyone.

Officers patrol the streets in your area, identifying, reporting and acting on more than 1,000 environmental issues, on average, per month.

Between January and May this year they cleared 2,080 tonnes of fly-tipping waste (that’s the equivalent of more than 23,000 full wheelie bins) and in the first seven months of 2011 cleared 1,132 instances of graffiti.

Councillor Mike O’Brien, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact believes that the power of

Meet the team and

have your say The Love Medway roadshow will be at a town near you in October. This is a great chance to meet frontline officers and chat about what is good in your area and what could be better.

• Strood Market (Commercial Road) Monday, 24 October, 8.30am to 3.30pm

n Community Officers Jayne Gray and Muriel Hucks help residents with the big clean up at Kingswear Gardens in Strood

Love Medway is a two-way process. “Our officers strive to be proactive,” he says, “dealing with issues on the spot, before they become a problem.

“However, we always welcome the views and help of local residents. Which is why we’ve introduced the

Love Medway app, to make it even easier and cost effective for people to report environmental issues.

“We will also be hosting Love Medway roadshows in October, so that residents can meet officers and talk about clean, safe and green in their area.”

• Chatham High Street (outside Primark) Tuesday, 25 October, 9am to 4pm • Gillingham High Street (outside WHSmith) Wednesday, 26 October, 8.30 to 4pm

The power to report rubbish... ...now at your fingertips Helping to keep Medway cleaner just got easier. You can now report environmental issues in a matter of seconds and track progress online.

LOVE MEDWAY CLEAN

SAFE

GREEN

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Report online - www.lovemedway.co.uk

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Snap and submit with the free Love Medway app (available on iPhone, Android, Windows and BlackBerry)

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Text and send to 07725 202020 (put LM at start of message)

Get your app… get the power at www.lovemedway.co.uk

www.facebook.com/lovemedway

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Medway M ATT E R S

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

October / November 2011

All aboard as Chatha Medway’s new bus station will transform public transport in the local area and make it easier for residents to get around.

The Chatham Waterfront Bus Station will have buses running from 5am-11.45pm, seven days a week, serving destinations across Medway and Kent.

With its modern, sleek new design and open surroundings the new bus station will present a much more welcoming reception for visitors when it opens on Monday 10 October.

The new bus station will act as the new hub for all main bus routes.

Financed by government, the scheme helps in the council’s ambition to open up the waterfront and connect it with Chatham town centre – Medway’s largest shopping area.

With new transport links, will add to the area’s regeneration and help make Chatham much more desirable for national stores and other businesses looking to open up here.

Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council, said: “The new Chatham Waterfront bus station will act as a welcoming drop off point for all people travelling into the area, and as an easy to use hub for all residents catching public transport locally.

“It is no secret that the old bus station in the Pentagon was out of date, unwelcoming and – to be honest – was not a nice first impression for those arriving in Medway.

“This is a key part of the regeneration of Chatham town centre. It opens up the waterfront and helps with our aim of ensuring the area remains an important

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shopping destination for people across the region.

“We understand that this regeneration work has taken time, but we really think it will help in our work to transform Chatham town centre. I would like to thank members of the public for being so understanding while this much needed work was carried out.”

Investing in public transport The council and bus companies, such as Arriva, have invested heavily in public transport in recent years – which helps keep Medway moving.

Now around 8.5million bus journeys are made every year within the area and nearly nine out of 10 people say they are happy with the service they receive.

Schemes that have gone ahead to increase bus capacity in Medway include the Corporation Street and Strood Riverside initiative, which has led to buses getting priority at traffic junctions and a new bus route from Strood onto Medway City Estate.

And about 100 new bus stops, many with shelters and level access for people to get on and off, have been put in place.

In addition to this, bus information screens – showing bus departure times – are now at council information points, healthy living centres and The Pentagon Shopping Centre.

More details at www.medway.gov.uk/chathambus

Bus station guide The new Chatham Waterfront Bus Station consists of four platforms each with a number of individual stops on them.

And, while the bus stop people catch their bus from will change depending on the time of day they will always go to the same platform for a particular destination.

On the opposite page is a handy guide showing exactly which platform passengers need to go to (listed as A,B,C, or D on the map) when catching their bus.

Once there, passengers should read the large screens to find out when their next service departs. The bus station information centre will also be open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and 9am5pm on Saturdays.

Serving You

Medway M ATT E R S

October / November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

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Frindsbury

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Royal Engineer's Museum

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Luton

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St Mary's Island

B

Blue Bell Hill village

C

Gillingham Business Park

B

Maidstone

A

Salters Cross

A

Bluewater

A

Gillingham Station

B

Marlowe Park

A

Shorne

A

Borstal

C

Grain

A

Medway City Estate (MCE)

A

Sittingbourne

B

Bridgewood Manor

A

Gravesend

A

Medway Gate

A

Snodland

A

Brompton

B

Halling

A

Medway Maritime Hospital

B

Spire Alexandra Hospital

A

Burham

C

Hempstead Valley

B

Medway Valley Park

A

Strand

B

Chalk

A

Hempstead Village

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MidKent College, Gillingham

B

Strood

A

Chatham Grove

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High Halstow

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Neptune Business Estate (MCE)

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Twydall

B

Chatham Maritime

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Higham

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Newington

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Universities at Medway

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Chatham Station

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Historic Dockyard Chatham

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Otterham Park

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Upchurch

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Chattenden

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Hoo

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Parkwood

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Upper Halling

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Cliffe and Cliffe Woods

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Horsted (Park and Ride)

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Princes Park

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Upper Upnor

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Cookham Wood

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Hospital, Medway Maritime

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Queen Mother Court

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Wainscott

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Cuxton

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Jezreels

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Rainham

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Walderslade

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Darland Estate

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Kings Hill

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Rainham Mark

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Warren Wood

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Lakeside Shopping Centre

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Wayfield

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Dockside Outlet Centre

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Lodge Hill

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Riverside Estate (MCE)

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Weeds Wood

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West Malling

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Eastcourt

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Lordswood

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Rochester Airport Industrial Estate C

White Road Estate

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Eccles

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Lower Halstow

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Rochester Station

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Wigmore

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Fostington Wood

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Lower Stoke

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Romford

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Wouldham

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Serving You

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Medway M att e r s

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

If you've not been to Chatham to shop for a while it's time to take another look. More than 250,000 people per month are already in on Kent's best kept shopping secret - and it's right on your doorstep too.

With major road improvements and the town's new bus station close to completion the future is looking bright for Medway's retail heart - and there are already more than 300 reasons to visit.

That's the number of shops in and around the town, including the Pentagon Centre and the full stretch of the High Street from Gundulph Road to the Luton Arches - offering a wide selection to suit all budgets.

And it isn't just fashion that's catered for - although there's plenty of that with big name chains like Burtons, Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams, Primark and TK Maxx plus independents like Internacionale and Bling Bling Shoes.

For your weekly shopping there's Sainsbury's at the Pentagon and Tesco just off The Brook plus family firms like

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Payne's Stores - selling fruit and vegetables - and High Street butcher JC Rook and Sons.

Music and bookworms might try HMV, Waterstones, WH Smith or Sound and Music, which sells music and memorabilia on the first floor and vintage guitars upstairs.

Other hobbies are also catered for with drummers beating a trail to Mid Air Music for example. For fans of DIY fish suppers there's the Rod and Line Angling Centre plus bridle wear of the non wedding kind at Happiest Horses.

Where Chatham High Street meets Rochester there is The Signal Box, a delight for anyone with a train set in the attic and Evans Cycles handily located for a quick pedal along national Cycle Route One. If you've been left hungry by all that ‘shoppercise’ there's choice aplenty whether it's for a sit down meal, a

October/November 2011

sandwich, watching the world go by or ignoring it altogether and burying your head in a paper.

Options include the Blueberry Park sandwich bar, Mr Bean Coffee House in High Street plus Gourmet Grub in Railway Street. There are also plenty of choices inside the Pentagon Centre.

Try My Cafe in Batchelor Street for traditional pie and mash or Bells of Chatham, at The Brook end of the High Street, for sit down fish and chips. Down the opposite end towards Medway Street is Chatham's own restaurant row with English, Thai, Malaysian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Indian and Mexican dishes on the menu.

For those with time, shopping and eating are only half the story for enjoying what Chatham has to offer. Why not round off the day with a theatre show at the Central or Brook, a game of 10 pin bowling at The Pentagon and a stroll around Fort Amherst with its famous Napoleonic Tunnels, off Dock Road.

The Fort is also linked to the Great Lines Heritage Park via a recently opened bridge offering commanding views across Medway; perfect for plotting future shopping expeditions.

Serving You

Medway M att e r s

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October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

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Primark TK Maxx

Fashion independents 20 Internacionale 21 Red Menswear 22 Store Twenty-One Food 23 Iceland

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Sainsbury's Tesco

30 31

Montus Home Store Wilkinsons

37 38

Stead and Simpson Footlocker

Beauty Hobbies Gifts 26 Claire's Accessories 32 American Comic Shop 39 Boots 27 Mr Simms Olde Sweet 33 Mid Air Music 40 Superdrug 34 The Signal Box 41 Body Shop Shoppe 28 Clinton Cards Pets Shoes 35 Bling Bling Shoes 42 Pet Spectacular Home 29 Debenhams 36 Chockers

Win £1,000

Supported by Medway Council, Pentagon Shopping Centre and Chatham Centre Forum.

Serving You

Chatham shopping free prize draw entry form Name Address

Postcode

Phone

Email

Tick if you’d like to receive email updates with news and events from: Pentagon Shopping Centre Medway Council

www.medway.gov.uk

#

An amazing £1,000 of shopping vouchers is up for grabs for you to update your wardrobe, get Christmas presents or just stock up on essentials.

To be in with a chance of winning simply complete the entry form and take it to the free prize draw entry box, located in Pentagon Court, Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham.

The prize is £1,000 Pentagon Shopping Centre vouchers. The closing date is Monday, 21 November 2011 at 5pm. n For full competition terms and conditions visit www.medway.gov.uk /rules

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Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Start up grant helps focus business idea A 17 year old from Gillingham has become the youngest person to receive a start up business grant from Medway Council.

Katie Blench was awarded a £1,000 grant from the council to help get her own photography firm off the ground.

The young entrepreneur, who turned 18 in August, works from her family home in Nelson Road. She has her own studio and already boasts a portfolio of pet portraits, weddings and shoots for bands and models.

The Partners for Growth (PFG) start up scheme offers new businesses a grant of up to £1,000 that can be used to fund initial start-up costs like rent, stock, vehicles or promotion.

Katie will put the grant towards a new camera and a mobile generator to allow her to take her shoots outside of the studio and on location.

She said: “Being the

youngest person to be offered a grant was a great confidence boost.

“I hope it will mean I can inspire more young people to pursue their dreams as well.”

As part of the scheme, Katie completed courses through the council's Business Link service, including bookkeeping and business advice. She will receive on-going support to help her business grow Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth, Cllr Jane Chitty, said: “Katie is a real inspiration and an example of how, with ambition and hard work, you can realise your dreams and start up your own business.

“Our start up grants are about helping local people

Entrepreneurs who receive a start up grant from Medway Council could benefit from discounted rent for business units in Medway.

Spaces Business Centres are offering an equivalent of a £1,000 rent-free period in one of their 51 business units in Knight Road, Strood. Terms and conditions apply.

The council has teamed up with Space Business Centres as part of the PFG scheme, sponsored by Lloyds TSB and Furley Page Solicitors. n For more on the Partners for Growth Scheme visit www.medway.gov.uk/ businessgrants or phone 306000.

with obvious talent find their feet and get their business off the ground, as well as giving them the tools to help their business grow and create jobs and opportunities in the future. I wish Katie every success.”

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Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Fancy yourself as the next Del boy?

Medway Council is offering budding business owners the chance to try their hand at market trading.

The council is offering wannabe traders the chance to set up a stall at one of Medway’s bustling markets from £20 a day.

Medway has local markets based at Strood and Gillingham, both held twice a week, as well as a farmers’ market in Rochester held on the third Sunday of every month.

Selling all sorts from fruit, vegetables and quality meat, to bags, fashion and greeting cards, the markets are a one-stop shop for every day essentials.

Small overheads and relatively low start up costs mean that market trading can be a much easier step into business, with some of the UK’s most loved stores, including Marks and Spencer, starting as market stalls.

stand up comic, took up the pitch after selling at markets around the East Coast for more than 10 years.

He said: “I find running a market stall is much like being a landlord, you know your regulars, you look after your customers and you’ll build up a reputation that means they’ll keep coming back. The best thing about a local market is that sense of community you get – I buy my vegetables and meat from stalls here at Strood and you build up a real rapport with all your customers – I love it.” n For more details about having a pitch at one of Medway’s weekly street markets – in Gillingham or Strood – or the monthly Rochester Farmers’ Market, phone Annette Lebreton on 338155.

You’ll build up a reputation that means they’ll keep coming back, and you build up a real rapport with all your customers - I love it.

Running a stall is an ideal opportunity to test the market to see what will sell well and is also good for creative types who make, bake or design their own products.

Babs Landa, 36, from Rochester, has run the bag stall at Strood Market with his brother Gurmit for the past 20 years, after taking the reins from his father.

“What’s great about being a trader is getting to know your customers and becoming part of the market community, which fills Strood with a great atmosphere,” said Babs.

“People are more careful about how they spend their money nowadays, but the level of customer service they get at the market, that bit of banter and a familiar face, means we get people coming back week in week out.

“All the traders have a great relationship with each other and shopkeepers in the area all say that trade picks up on market days.”

Neil Wheatley has been running the food and drink wagon at Strood Market since May. The 43 year old, who also gigs as a

n Babs Landa - a successful

market trader for 20 years.

Medway’s markets: Strood Commercial Road car park – every Tuesday and Saturday, 9am to 3pm.

Gillingham Gillingham High Street – every Monday and Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm.

Rochester Farmers’ Market Corporation Street car park on the third Sunday of every month, 9am to 1pm.

All hands on deck for local apprentices The restoration of the United Kingdom's last estuary paddle steamer, the Medway Queen, is set to get the help of 11 Medway apprentices.

The ship is due to return to the waters of the River Medway next year with the apprentices ready to help the Medway Queen Preservation Society restore it to its former glory.

Work will begin in earnest early next year when the ship's hull, currently being repaired in Bristol, will be brought to Gillingham Pier.

Preparation is already underway, with apprentices restoring parts of the ship including handrails and lamp standards.

The 11 young apprentices,

Serving You

recruited under the councilrun 100-in-100 Medway Apprenticeship Challenge, are turning their hands to woodwork, welding and engineering in anticipation of the return of the ship.

Split between work on board the ship and MidKent College, where they are learning most of the techniques, the apprentices are on two year advanced apprenticeships in mechanical engineering.

Alex Stevens, 17, from Doddington Road, Gillingham, one of the chosen

apprentices. was struggling to find work as a plumber when he heard about the scheme.

“I’d heard about the Medway Queen through my mum and dad. It’s quite an honour to work on the restoration of something that obviously means a lot to the local community.”

Leader of Medway Council,

Cllr Rodney Chambers, said: “Seeing young Medway apprentices working on the restoration of the Medway Queen is a particularly poignant reminder of our rich naval heritage and will provide the young people with incredibly valuable skills to stand them in good stead for the future.”

The 100-in-100 Apprenticeship Challenge aimed to create 100 apprenticeships in Medway over 100 days.

The campaign, which launched in May, received more than 125 pledges from construction companies, hairdressers, decorators, electricians and others, It was organised by Medway Council and the National Apprenticeship Service with the support of local training providers, colleges and employers. The challenge was part of a commitment to raise awareness about apprenticeships and what they can offer to businesses and the apprentices themselves.

www.medway.gov.uk

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T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

October/November 2011

Universities on For anyone dreaming of a place at university next year there has never been a better time to study close to home.

A sharp rise in tuition fees and squeezed disposable income mean deciding what is affordable will be just as vital to prospective undergraduates as achieving the best grades.

Over the next few weeks thousands of young people across Medway will be scouring the small print of university and college prospectuses to decide their preferred courses and locations.

With cost likely to be more of a factor than ever before there has never been a better time to consider what is right on their doorstep when it comes to making final choices in January.

The University of Kent, the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church (CCCU) share a campus with in

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historic surrounds at Chatham Maritime – a buzzing 10,000 strong student community.

Close by is the Rochester campus of the University for the Creative Arts, one of Europe’s leading specialist art and design universities attracting talented young people from all over the world.

Study in Medway and you would be following in the illustrious wake of designer Zandra Rhodes and the jeweller Stephen Webster – albeit born in Gravesend - who now designs pieces for A-listers like Kate Moss and Madonna.

Many graduates from CCCU are now in senior positions in local schools or the health service. Students from the Universities of Greenwich and Kent

have enjoyed similar success, including Professor Charles Kao, awarded the Nobel prize for his pioneering work in fibre optic technology.

Peter Milburn, campus director for CCCU Medway, said: “Whether students are just leaving college, looking to change careers or get back into the workplace the Medway campus gives them the opportunity to experience first class facilities on their doorstep.

“Not only are they receiving a teaching and learning experience that is second to none, but by staying at home students can relieve some of the financial pressure of studying full or part time.”

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Medway M att e r s

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Each of Medway’s four universities has its own unique identity. There is a lot of information available on their websites but here is a brief guide to what each has to offer: Canterbury Christ Church University www.canterbury.ac.uk/medway The Medway campus specialises in courses in health and social care and early childhood and childhood studies.

The expertise of its staff has helped the campus to emerge as a specialist in post graduate medical courses; working with local health providers to offer further professional, practical training for their staff.

University of Kent www.kent.ac.uk/medway The University of Kent has invested millions in new purpose-built facilities. These include lecture theatres, specialist music and design studios, workshops and a multi-media newsroom for its journalism programme. Kent excels in many fields of study including music, design and sports science.

October/November 2011

University for the Creative Arts www.ucreative.ac.uk/rochester One of Europe’s leading specialist art and design universities with a presence in Medway for almost 150 years. Courses include fashion, photography, art, design, crafts and marketing.

UCA has also built up relationships with major brands such as Apple, Nike and Burberry, as well as local businesses and organisations. For camera aficionados it is also home to the UK’s Hasselblad Research Centre.

University of Greenwich www2.gre.ac.uk/medway The Medway campus has superb facilities such as the centre for Sport and Exercise Science and a training dispensary for pharmacy students. It is also home to the School of Engineering and the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science.

Subjects taught at Medway include: science, engineering, nursing – with CCCU, pharmacy – with University of Kent Speech and Language Therapy with CCCU science.

your doorstep Universities at Medway The Universities at Medway is a unique partnership that includes the Universities of Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University.

The three institutions share a single Medway campus, next to the Historic Dockyard at Chatham Maritime. The site was built originally as a naval base, HMS Pembroke, at the start of the 20th Century. The University for the Creative Arts is based just along the river in Fort Pitt, Rochester.

Getting advice Choices of courses must be registered with UCAS, the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK, by 15 January 2012.

University of Greenwich head of

Serving You

central recruitment Bev Woodhams, has the following advice for prospective students considering where to study next year: “Think about what subject will engage you over three or four years of study; that the course fits the career at a university that suits your personality and lifestyle.”

To discuss options available to you speak with your college or school careers officers. Check online for details of open days taking place in Medway during the Autumn.

Staff are also available to help students with any questions they might have – from costs to courses - before making their decision. Call 020 8331 9000 for the University of Greenwich; 894450 for Canterbury Christ Church University; 0800 9753777 for the

University of Kent and 01252 892883 for the University for the Creative Arts.

www.medway.gov.uk

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T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

October/November 2011

Orchestra offer £1 deal for Central season

Help support upkeep of castle A new group has been set up to ensure Rochester Castle is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The Restore Rochester Castle Campaign has already attracted celebrity backing from Sir Derek Jacobi and James Purefoy, the stars of Ironclad, the film about the siege of the castle in 1215.

Campaign chairman Jon O’Donnell, said: “Medway Council has been brilliant in supporting us, but it can’t be down to them to find the money. People have to realise it’s their heritage and help us to preserve it for future generations.”

The council has a local management agreement with English Heritage, for the management of Rochester Castle and has recently completed essential repairs to part of the castle wall.

A programme of long term environmental monitoring is to be implemented for the castle that will help to plan and prioritise future preservation work. n To find out more about the group visit www.restorerochestercastle.co.uk

Season tickets are available ranging from £23-£37 for the year with the £1 per concert offer available for anyone under 18. Other concerts in the series take place on 3 March and 19 May 2012.

Tickets for all these concerts are available from the Central Theatre Box Office on 338338. Individual tickets cost £9, £12 or £15, with concessions for OAPs. For more details visit www.crso.org.uk

Charity night at cathedral Voices for Hospices is a UK registered charity which co-ordinates a ‘Mexican Wave’ of simultaneous concerts around the globe, on the same day, once every two years.

Involving up to a million people each time and raising at least a pound for every one of those people; the concerts raise awareness and encourage new volunteers for each local unit involved.

One of these concerts – featuring light instrumental and choral music - will be taking place at Rochester Cathedral from 7.30pm on Saturday, 22 October in support of Medway’s Wisdom Hospice.

Musicians include: The Medway Singers; The City of Rochester Pipe Band; The Medway Band; Walderslade Primary School and Gillingham Male Voice Choir. n Tickets: Adults £10, concessions £7.50. To book phone 831163.

Contacting Medway Matters Medway Matters, Communications and Marketing, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR Email medway.matters @medway.gov.uk Written and designed by Medway Council’s Communications and Marketing Team.

Distributed by Royal Mail door-to-door service.

All phone numbers should be prefixed with 01634 unless stated.

Available in other formats and languages.

Phone 333333 The next edition of Medway Matters will be published in October.

There is a range of advertising opportunities in Medway Matters.

For more information, including rates and copy deadlines, visit www.medway.gov.uk/medwaymatters or email medway.matters@medway.gov.uk.

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www.medway.gov.uk

Serving You

G6795

The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra is offering young people a feast of classical music for just £1 per show in its new season programme at the Central Theatre, Chatham.

The first of three concerts takes place on Saturday, 19 November with music by composers Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, including the Dvorak Cello Concerto, the Romeo and Juliet Overture and the Nutcracker Suite.

Medway M att e r s

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Chris Collins, the BBC’s gardening expert, writes a regular column for Medway Matters

Create a riot of garden colour this autumn.

Some may feel sad about the end of summer but let’s go for the glass half full scenario. For a start, we have the splendour of autumn colour, surely one of nature’s great feats.

Two highly recommended plants for autumn colour are a tree known as Sorbus hupehensis and an excellent shrub from the islands of Japan known as Euonymus alatus.

This is also the time of year for getting in all those spring bulbs from subtle daffodils like Narcissus cyclemnus or all out tulip madness.

When planting your bulbs, remember to plant them three times the size of the bulb in depth. Take all fallen leaves to the compost bin - lying leaves may encourage fungus problems later on. Once rotted down they can return to the border.

A trip to the garden centre to stock up on winter pansies and polyanthus will ensure your hanging baskets and pots remain colourful.

During the darker months, the south can get very dry so keep those water butts topped up and make sure any new trees and shrubs get a drink.

Sponsored by Southern Water

Top five tips • Get ahead and order seed catalogues now; the clever gardener is always ahead of the game.

• Give hedges a last trim before the frosts kick in.

• If you have precious plants in containers stand them on bricks to protect from water logging and cold from patio slabs.

• Plant new climbers and perennials .

• Lift and divide any rhubarb crowns.

Dazzle this Autumn and get noticed Move over Blackpool illuminations. Coming to Medway this Autumn are the bright lights of cars, lorries and buses - to a dark street near you.

Sunday 30 October marks the end of British Summer Time and the start of duller. colder evenings to and from home, the office and school.

To keep safe Medway Council is reminding cyclists and pedestrians to get themselves noticed as the nights drawn in. The council is working closely with Kent County Council on campaigns to help reduce the number of accidents across the county, particularly among young people.

The 'B-Viz' campaign will specifically target 11-16 year olds, about the importance of being visible to road users. For more details visit www.b-viz.com.

Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, Cllr Phil Filmer, said: “By wearing a reflector at night you allow drivers up to five times more distance to notice you.”

“Spoke sparks, pedal lights, reflective socks, toggles and stickers are cheap and easy ways to highlight your presence to other road users.

“We are reminding people that wearing reflective material works better in the dark and florescent works better during the day.

“By choosing to wear something bright and fluorescent, you’ll increase your visibility up to 15 times more to other road users.”

Serving You

Grab a free hi-vis cape Younger road users are being offered the chance to grab a free bright hi-vis ‘Hector ghoul cape’, kindly donated

by Texaco, whilst supplies last.

To obtain yours please either email travel.safety@medway.gov.uk or write to Medway Council Road Safety Team, Gun Wharf, Dock Road Chatham, ME4 4TR. n For more on Medway’s Road Safety campaigns, education and training services visit: www.medway.gov.uk/saferjourneys

www.medway.gov.uk

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Medway M att e r s

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

ADVERTISEMENT

NHS Kent and Medway represents the three primary care trusts: NHS Medway, NHS Eastern and Coastal and NHS West Kent, which plan and pay for NHS healthcare for everyone who lives in Kent and Medway.

Staying healthy this winter Winter is on its way and if last year is anything to go by it is likely to be cold.

We are more likely to become ill with coughs, colds, tummy bugs and flu, but we can protect ourselves against some illnesses and recover more quickly by taking some simple steps.

Washing your hands regularly and well is the single most important thing you can do to cut risk of infection. To avoid tummy bugs, it is important to wash your hands before preparing food and wash your hands really well after you have been to the toilet.

Young children and older people are particularly vulnerable to gastroenteritis, including Norovirus (winter vomiting disease). It is essential that they wash their hands thoroughly and that people cooking and caring for them are scrupulous about hygiene.

Other tips include: • Use tissues (not handkerchiefs) to catch coughs or sneezes and then throw them away before washing your hands to avoid spreading germs.

• Please don’t visit hospitals or care homes if you feel unwell – you risk spreading infection to the people who are least able to fight it off.

• Make sure your home is warm enough (the recommended minimum for rooms you use during the day is 21C (70F) and for bedrooms is 18C (65F).

Coughs, colds and flu Most sore throats, coughs, colds and flu are caused by viruses. The main symptoms are coughing, sneezing, blocked nose, sore throat, headache and a temperature.

If these are your only symptoms, your pharmacist will be better able to help than your GP. Visit your local pharmacy – or ask someone else to go for you, if you’re

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feeling poorly – to buy over-the-counter medicines and get advice on managing symptoms. Stock up on paracetamol-based cold remedies.

Some pharmacies offer minor ailment schemes and advice and provide treatments for certain minor illnesses for free (if you do not normally pay prescription charges).

If your cough has not improved after three weeks, see your GP. It could be the sign of something more serious.

The best way to avoid seasonal flu is to have the flu jab. This winter’s protects against three strains of flu, including swine flu. Those eligible include everyone aged over 65, all pregnant women and everyone over six-months-old with serious long-term health problems: chronic respiratory; heart; kidney; liver or neurological disease; diabetes or a weakened immune system due to disease or treatment; • people in care homes; • people who are the main carer for an older or disabled person.

Dr Alison Barnett, Director of Public Health for Medway, said: “If you have not already received a letter prompting you to make an appointment for flu vaccination, but fall into one of the categories, phone your GP practice and ask if you

should have the jab.’’

It is particularly important that mums-tobe have the flu vaccination this winter too.

If you are pregnant and haven’t yet had a flu jab, ask your GP. There is evidence that pregnant women are at increased risk of complications if they contract flu.

Why jab is important Tina didn’t expect her family holiday to Wales last December to end up with her unable to eat for 12 days, physically incapable of getting out of bed and scared that she may lose the baby she was carrying.

The 35-year-old, who at the time was 27 weeks pregnant with her first child, said: “My whole family had been ill with a cold and when my partner Jamie got it, I put it down to ‘man flu’.”

But a couple of days after Christmas Tina started to feel unwell. By the time the family got home she visited her GP as she felt so poorly. A few days later was diagnosed with flu and prescribed a seven-day course of antibiotics.

She said: “I’m not really an ill person, but I felt dreadful. I had a stomach ache and felt shaky and shivery.

I was constantly being sick and couldn’t even get to the bathroom on my own.

“I couldn’t keep anything down. I was so pale. I had lost a baby in May and was so scared I may lose Maisie. I wasn’t keeping any food down which meant she wasn’t getting

Serving You

Medway M att e r s

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

October/November 2011

Got a query or need information about a Medway health service?

NHS Medway Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Phone NHS Direct at any time if you are ill or injured and unsure what to do next, or to find a local service and its opening hours – such as a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic. NHS Direct can answer questions and give advice.

Phone 0845 4647 or visit www.nhs.uk

PALS is a friendly and professional NHS service offering support, advice and guidance about medical and health related issues for Medway residents.

Phone 0800 014 1641 or email pals@medwaypct.nhs.uk

Want to know who to contact?

• General health advice: www.nhs.uk • A Better Medway – local services for healthy living: www.abettermedway.co.uk • Medway Stop Smoking Service: Phone 0800 234 6805 • Medway Sexual Health: www.medwaysexual health.co.uk • Mental Health Matters – confidential, emotional support and advice: Phone 0800 107 0160 Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9am and 24 hours at weekends and bank holidays, www.mental healthmatters.com • The Samaritans: Phone 730981 or 08457 909090, or face-to-face seven days a week, 9am to 10pm at Priory Road, Strood, ME2 2EG

anything either. I was told to drink sugary drinks but just threw those up too.”

Tina, whose daughter is now a healthy 21-weeks-old, is urging other pregnant women to make sure they are vaccinated against flu this winter.

“I had seen the flu leaflets in the doctors’ surgery, but I didn’t make the connection.

Then someone at work told me that her pregnant daughter had just had the flu jab.

“I thought I should get one as I was pregnant too, but it was so difficult to fit it in with work and Christmas and then I fell ill.

“I will never make that mistake again.

If we do have any more children, I will automatically go for the flu jab; there would be no hesitation at all.”

Serving You

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Cold air can trigger respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath.

Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medication and keep rescue/relieving inhalers close by. If you are under the care of Medway Community Healthcare’s respiratory team, contact them for advice.

Norovirus At this time of year, gastroenteritis is common. It is often caused by Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, which can strike all year round but is more common in winter.

It is an extremely infectious stomach bug that can spread quickly in places with lots

of people. The illness is usually over in a couple of days.

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent it spreading. When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhoea, it’s important to drink plenty of water or rehydration fluids (available from pharmacies) to prevent dehydration. If you are concerned about young children or older people not drinking enough, phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

If you are finding it hard to keep down fluids, try small sips more frequently. Eat a light diet of foods that are easy to digest, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.

Babies should be given their normal feed throughout. Stay away from work or school until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

www.medway.gov.uk

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Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

ADVERTISEMENT

NHS Foundation Trust

News from your local hospital

Looking back The Trust’s 2010/11 Annual Report is now available on the Trust’s website with a summary of the highlights listed below: Care Quality Commission compliance Following an unannounced four-day inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at the end of February, the healthcare regulator gave the Trust a considerably improved rating for the quality of its services.

The CQC found that we are meeting all their ‘Essential Standards of Quality and Safety’ and patients commented that the standards of care were good and staff to be hard working, kind and supportive. Most were happy with their treatment.

The Trust is working on recommendations made in the report.

Top 40 hospital award The Trust was named among the CHKS 40 Top Hospitals for the third year running. The CHKS (Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems) Top Hospitals Programme is now in its 11th year and assesses hospitals on their performance in 21 key areas ranging from patient safety to quality of care.

This reflects the commitment and determination of everyone at the Trust to deliver care of the highest standards.

Improving patient experience The experience patients have when they use the Trust’s services is very important to the Trust. To ensure improvement of patient experience remains high on the agenda, the director of nursing set-up a patient experience committee to look everything – from when a patient enters our site, through treatment, to leaving hospital.

Combating MRSA The Trust operates a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to infections like MRSA and was very proud to announce in February that there had been no MRSA bloodstream infections at Medway Maritime Hospital for a year. There has been a wide-range of measures across the Trust which led to this success including a specialist MRSA ward and improved management of devices such as urinary catheters and cannulas.

Supporting organ donation There are more than 8,000 people in this country waiting for life saving organs. Unfortunately the stark fact is that three of these people die every day waiting – some because the organs never come and some because whilst waiting their health deteriorates to a point where they would not survive an operation.

Last year, the Trust set up its first organ donation committee to encourage everyone – staff, patients and visitors – to talk more openly about organ and tissue donation and to consider joining the Organ Donor Register.

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May’s baby boom A staggering 434 babies were born at the hospital in May 2010 – around 15 every day – the highest number of babies born in one month in the hospital’s history. Karen McIntyre, Head of Midwifery at Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: “We’re thrilled that so many mums from across Medway, Swale and further afield in Kent are choosing to bring their babies into the world with us at Medway.”

Orthotics centre of excellence People in Medway and Swale experiencing painful muscle and joint problems can be assured that when they come to Medway Maritime Hospital for their treatment, they are being treated in the only centre of excellence in the south east region.

The orthotics department and plaster theatre has been awarded the status of ‘centre of excellence’ for its training of staff and customer services. The department also boasts the shortest waiting time in the whole country for an appointment to be fitted with an orthotic device. These include items such as braces and corrective shoe inserts.

Hospital at Home service The Trust has been piloting a new service which enables patients to continue their inpatient treatment at home, rather than stay in hospital.

Patients who are stable but still need some form of treatment such as oxygen, blood monitoring or medication can receive the inpatient care they need from nurses and physiotherapists in their home. Since the service started, the Trust has treated over 200 patients.

Same sex accommodation The Trust is pleased with the progress it has made in eliminating mixed-sex accommodation. At the end of March this year, 88 per cent of patients reported they were in samesex accommodation.

Most people accept that providing fast, effective patient care is sometimes more important than providing same-sex accommodation. This may include situations where patients need urgent care, highly specialised or high-tech care. Where mixing occurs, it must be in the interest of all the patients affected.

Plans for the future You can find out more about our plans for 2011/12 in our Annual Plan and Quality Account documents online at www.medway.nhs.uk

Serving You

Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Lewis Deal, MBE Managing director of Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) Lewis Deal leads a voluntary aviation group, based at Rochester Airport since 1979, which restores vintage aircraft mainly from the Second World War.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am the first Kentish Man born into the Deal family since 1642.

During the Battle of Britain in 1940 the German Luftwaffe took exception to the Deal family as two of our homes in Sevenoaks and another in Bristol were bombed.

How did you get involved in aircraft restoration?

For many years and with a small group of volunteers I uncovered crashed aircraft mainly in the Maidstone area which gave me the essential expertise required.

What is MAPS working on at the moment?

We are restoring the World's only surviving Boulton Paul Defiant, a turret armed fighter, built in 1938. It was flown mainly

by Polish pilots and gunners of No. 307 (Lwow) Squadron.

An intriguing aircraft which has caused many headaches as we had no drawings and the aircraft had received little attention.

What’s the connection with flying boats?

MAPS has a unique history which dates back in many ways to the Short Bros Flying Boat factory on the Medway and the

Short Stirling bomber factory near Rochester Airport (now BAE Systems).

The skills and manufacturing techniques used then were of the highest quality and fortunately we had a number of craftsmen available to MAPS in those early days.

As a result we have continued to produce fine painstaking work attracting the attention of the RAF Museum. They now use us for work on rare and unique aircraft from their marvellous collection. That has helped us to retain those skills.

What has been your proudest moment?

Receiving my MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2002, with my family. It was a proud day not only for us but as recognition of MAPS. I chatted with the Prince about Spitfires for so long his equerry had to intervene.

What restoration project has given you the most pride?

Our proudest achievement in many ways was the restoration of the world's only Mk XI Spitfire which still graces the skies.

How can people find out about the society’s work?

n Lewis Deal gets the

royal seal of approval

There is a lot of information on our web site www.mapsl.co.uk We also have a visitor centre and sales room open to the public on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday mornings.

Quick fire round What do you love?

I love spring mornings in the Kent countryside; cricket; cream, motor cycles; single and malt whisky What hobbies do you have?

Growing bonsais and building model railways My favourite place Leeds Castle My favourite food Roast beef with all the trimmings

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My secret of success A quiet determination Can't do without Writing or my wife First record bought Humphrey Lyttleton - Bad Penny Blues Ideal desert island companion Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park of Battle of Britain and Malta fame. A brilliant tactician of air warfare who I have long admired

Serving You

Medway M ATT E R S

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

YOUR GUIDE TO EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN MEDWAY

Great Classical Favourites Wednesday, 12 October 7.30pm performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Central Theatre, Chatham Tickets: £19.50-£25.

Concessions for senior citizens and students.

A Street Car Named Desire

A Rake's Progress

Monday, 10 October, 7.30pm Film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play of a romantic drama about a fragile, deluded woman called Blanche DuBois.

Part of the Screen Classics season at Central Theatre, Chatham.

Tickets: £6 or £5 if you book online. Students: £3.50

Wednesday, 19 October 7.30pm The Brook Theatre, Chatham.

An extraordinary evening of rousing songs, eccentric masks and rumbustious puppets.

Tickets: Children £8, Adults £12.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Central Theatre and The Brook Theatre, Chatham

The autumn season is here

s Suarnedfoarykids

at The Brook Theatre

Crunch!

Sunday, 30 October, 2pm The Brook Theatre, Chatham Family show combining stories and images of apples all over the world from Adam and Eve to Sir Isaac Newton; from William Tell to Snow White; from The Big Apple to Apple Mac. An exciting and hilarious mix of physical theatre, original songs, juggling, masks and good old traditional storytelling.

Tickets: Children £5, Adults £6.

Remember.... you can book for all events online at www.medway ticketslive.co.uk or phone 338338.

Dickensian Christmas Market

Wednesday, 30 November to Sunday, 18 December.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm Rochester Castle Gardens.

Continental-style chalet stalls offering a wonderful array of gifts, hand-crafted goods and delicious treats plus carousel rides and live music.

Get along earlier for entertainment including local choirs, dance schools and majorettes displays. There will also be a carousel, face painting and balloons available to purchase.

Julian Lloyd Webber

Macbeth

The Brook Theatre, 8 Oct

The Brook Theatre, 15 Oct

Pete Molinari

Bob Geldof

The Central Theatre, 15 Oct

The Central Theatre, 21 Nov

For tickets and to browse the full line-up on the new booking website

www.medwayticketslive.co.uk 338338

CHATHAM Thursday 17 November, 4.30pm, Central Theatre, High Street, with CBeebies star Katy Ashworth, star of this year’s pantomime.

STROOD Saturday 19 November, 5pm, Friary Place, High Street, with children's TV character Raa Raa the Noisy Lion.

GILLINGHAM Friday, 25 November, 5pm, Smiths Square, High Street, with children's TV character Rastamouse.

ROCHESTER Wednesday, 30 November, from 3.45pm at the Castle Gardens with Vanilla Ice switching on the lights and opening the Christmas market.

RAINHAM Friday 2 December, 5pm, Shopping Centre, High Street, with children's TV character De-Li from the Waybaloos.

For a full list of the latest events and entertainments in Medway, visit

www.whatsonmedway.co.uk Serving You

Text

MEDWAY EVEN

to 88802 to re TS ceive updates by SM S

www.medway.gov.uk

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Medway M att e r s

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

ADVERTISEMENT

Electoral registration

Don’t lose your right to vote '

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Canvassers will be making door-to-door visits to properties across Medway until 7 November to try to get details from those residents who haven’t yet returned their voter registration form so that they don’t lose their right to vote.

It is a legal requirement to complete and return a registration form every year, but many people don’t and therefore lose their right to have a say in how the local area or the country is run. The voters list is also used as a way of checking credit worthiness so you could lose out on a loan, opening a mobile phone account or even getting a gas or electricity account set up. The Register of Electors 2012 will be published on 1 December. If you’ve missed the canvasser who’s been calling at your door, don’t worry, it’s not too late to register.

We will still be accepting registration forms after 7 November until 1 December, so if you’ve not yet responded to the form, please complete it and send it to: Electoral Registration Officer, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR. Remember, if you don’t have any changes to make to the details of people registered at your address you can respond to the form by using the freephone and internet registration service. Details of how to do this are printed on the top of your form. Responding via the phone or internet saves you the hassle of having to post the paper form back to us.

If you have any queries, please phone Electoral Services on 332030.

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30

www.medway.gov.uk

Meetings calendar OCTOBER 4 3pm Cabinet 6.30pm Regeneration Community and Culture OSC 5 7pm Planning Committee 6 6.30pm Health and Adult OSC 7 2pm Licensing Sub Committee of LSC 11 2pm Licensing Hearing Panel – Sub Comm of LSC 12 6.30pm Children’s and Young People OSC 18 6pm Licensing and Safety Committee 19 8.45am School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee 20 7pm Council 27 7pm Employment Matters Committee 28 9am Licensing Hearing Panel – Sub Comm of LSC NOVEMBER 1 3pm Cabinet 8 9am Licensing Hearing Panel sub committee of LSC 9.30am Employment Matters Appeals Panel – 16 8.45am School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee 7pm Planning Committee 25 9am Licensing Hearing Panel – sub committee of LSC – 29 3pm Cabinet 7pm 30 Nov Standards Committee

MR9 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 SGC MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2

MR = Meeting Rooms, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR SGC = St George’s Centre, Chatham Maritime ME4 4YW OSC = Overview and Scrutiny Committee LSC = Licensing and Safety Committee The dates and venues for the meetings listed could change.

You are advised to check the details by phoning 306000, emailing democratic.services@medway.gov.uk or visiting www.medway.gov.uk.

Serving You

Medway M att e r s

October/November 2011

T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY

Contact your councillor

this page has contact details for all 55 councillors elected to represent medway’s 22 wards at the last election in may 2011. to find out more about the work of your ward councillors, visit our website www.medway.gov.uk

the make up of the council is as follows: Conservative 35 labour 15 liberal democrat 3 independent 2

Councillors are contactable by email. Email them using firstname.secondname@medway.gov.uk CHATHAM CENTRAL Paul Godwin Lab c/o PA to the Labour Group Leader, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR Phone: 865944 PA 332396 Vince Maple Lab 29 Chalk Hill,, Chatham, ME4 5SU Mob: 07981 661451 Julie Shaw Lab 79 Downsview, Chatham, ME5 0AL Phone: 813647

LUTON AND WAYFIELD sam CRaven Lab 124 Castle Road, Chatham ME4 5HY Phone: 811451 ChRistine Godwin Lab 7 Highgrove Road, Walderslade, Chatham, ME5 7QE Phone: 865944 tRistan osboRne Lab 35 Davy Court Rochester, ME1 1AE Mob: 07793 204282 PENINSULA

CUXTON AND HALLING Raymond maisey Con 106 Charles Drive, Cuxton, Rochester ME2 1DU Phone: 727126 GILLINGHAM NORTH pat cooper Ind Group 28 Dial Road, Gillingham, ME7 2RL Phone: 575599 adaM price Lab 13 Clifton Road, Gillingham ME7 1NA Phone: 571426 andY StaMp Ind Group 50 Grange Road, Gillingham, ME7 2PU Phone: 579787 Mob: 07736 327002 GILLINGHAM SOUTH Geoff JubY Lib Dem 16 Franklin Road, Gillingham, ME7 4DF Phone: 576675 Sheila KearneY Lib Dem 112 Nelson Road, Gillingham, ME7 4LL Phone: 576838 daVid colMan Lab 7 Milsted Road, Gillingham ME8 6SX Mob: 07810 278831 HEMPSTEAD AND WIGMORE diane chaMberS Con 6 Mansion Row, Brompton, Gillingham, ME7 5SE Phone: 842913 rodneY chaMberS Con 6 Mansion Row, Brompton, Gillingham, ME7 5SE Phone: 842913 LORDSWOOD AND CAPSTONE alan Jarrett Con 43 Ballens Road, Lordswood, Chatham, ME5 8NT Phone: 684640 daVid wildeY Con 627 Lordswood Lane, Lordswood, Chatham, ME5 8QY Phone: 863416

ChRis iRvine Con 86 St Williams Way, Rochester ME1 2PD Mob: 07713 615550 tony watson Con 17 Grandsire Gardens, Hoo, Rochester ME3 9LH Phone: 255694 phil filMer Con Bridgewater House, Parbrook Road, High Halstow, Rochester, ME3 8QG Phone: 254196 PRINCES PARK Matt briGht Con 85 Highgrove Road, Walderslade, Chatham, ME5 7SF Phone: 321265 pat GulVin Con 30 Glamis Close, Walderslade, Chatham, ME5 7QQ Phone: 670853 RAINHAM CENTRAL rehMan chiShti Con 30 Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, ME7 5QN Phone: 570118 barrY KeMp Con 18 Herbert Road, Rainham, ME8 9BZ Phone: 365231 MiKe o’brien Con Redlands, 70 Herbert Road, Rainham, ME8 9DA Phone: 377950 RAINHAM NORTH daVid carr Con 68 Kingsway, Gillingham, ME7 3AU Phone: 853366 VauGhan hewett Con 47 Marshall Road, Rainham, ME8 0AP Mob: 07932 195683 RAINHAM SOUTH howard doe Con The Warren, 21 Style Close, Rainham, ME8 9LS Phone: 366419 leS wicKS Con 78 Mill Road, Gillingham, ME7 1JB Phone 582759.

Serving You

daVid roYle Con 7 Watermeadow Close, Hempstead, Gillingham, ME7 3QF Phone: 377254 RIVER andRew maCkness Con 4 Church Lane, Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4LF Mob: 07970 734105 craiG MacKinlaY Con 8 Manor Road, Chatham, ME4 6AG Phone: 841108 ROCHESTER EAST nicK bowler Lab 93 Haig Avenue, Rochester, ME1 2RY Mob: 07793 806011 tereSa MurraY Lab 318 City Way, Rochester, ME1 2BL Phone: 409486 ROCHESTER SOUTH AND HORSTED RuPeRt tuRPin Con 30 Purbeck Road, Chatham ME4 6ED Phone: 305680 SYlVia Griffin Con 12 Beaulieu Rise, Rochester, ME1 2PQ Phone: 404139 treVor clarKe Con 19 Wemmick Close, Cloisterham Park, Rochester, ME1 2DL Phone: 409932 ROCHESTER WEST ted baKer Con 11 Watts Avenue, Rochester, ME1 1RX Phone: 847415

STROOD RURAL peter hicKS Con 14 High Street, Upper Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4XG Phone: 715097 toM MaSon Con 1 Leeds House, Cypress Court, Frindsbury Extra, Rochester, ME2 4PU Phone: 727301 peter rodberG Con Tamarisk, Main Road, Chattenden, Rochester, ME3 8PP Phone: 250269 STROOD SOUTH JoSie ileS Con 141 Watling Street, Strood ME2 3JJ Phone: 316484 John aVeY Con 13 Elaine Court, Elaine Avenue, Strood, Rochester, ME2 2YR Phone: 711268 iSaac iGwe Lab 62 Seagull Road, Strood, Rochester ME2 2RH Mob: 07904 363167 TWYDALL dorte GilrY Lab 26 Twydall Lane, Gillingham, ME8 6HX Phone: 233833 GlYn GriffithS Lab 105 First Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 2LF Phone: 352734 paul harriott Lab 26 Twydall Lane, Gillingham, ME8 6HX Phone: 233833 WALDERSLADE

KellY tolhurSt Con Creekside, Beacon Boatyard, Manor Lane, Borstal, Rochester, ME1 3JN Mob: 07925 880180 STROOD NORTH Jane chittY Con 20 Broomhill Road, Strood, Rochester, ME2 3LE Mob: 07930 236228 Jane etheridGe Con 48 Watling Street, Strood, ME2 3NY Phone: 711003 Stephen hubbard Lab 94 Jersey Road, Strood, Rochester, ME2 3PD Phone: 712129

daVid braKe Con Sherwood House, 29 Robin Hood Lane, Walderslade, Chatham, ME5 9NS Phone: 668649 adrian GulVin Con 30 Glamis Close, Walderslade, Chatham ME5 7QQ Phone: 670853 WATLING wendY purdY Con 4 Nore Close, Gillingham ME7 3D9 Phone: 578669 diana SMith Lib Dem 269 Napier Road, Gillingham, ME7 4LY Phone: 575192

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