Join us for a walk through Chatham Intra, as Rob reveals the rich history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Medway, and in particular the huge importance of The Ship Inn on the High Street in Intra, possibly the oldest gay pub in the country.

For decades The Ship has been at the heart of the gay scene in the area – during the dark days when homosexuality was still illegal and necessarily underground, till today when Medway Pride is a vibrant highlight of a Medway summer.

In the snug of the Ship itself, we meet Peter Moorcraft, a regular at the pub since 1966. Hilary Cooke, the Chair of Medway Pride, is a key equality champion. And we hear from the delightfully funny Derek Arrowsmith, a 90-year-old gay activist, interviewed by Rob as part of Medway Pride Fringe in August.

Intra Arts

Chatham Intra

The Story of Intra High Street in six places blog

Rob and Phil discuss Michi Masumi’s work on display at Intra at the time of recording. Visit Michi’s Instagram or website to find out more about Michi’s work.

During the Medway Pride section you hear the talents of Kent samba band Bloco Fogo, recorded live at Rochester Castle Gardens during the Pride 2024 event.

We Did It Medway is supported by the Medway Council Shared Prosperity Fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and The City of Rochester Society. Find out more about their work at city-of-rochester.org.uk

We Did it Medway is presented by Philip Dodd and Rob Flood. It is produced and edited by Big Tent Media, with assistance from Emily Crosby Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two locations for this episode: first we’re at the Watts Almshouses on Maidstone Road in Rochester, for a round table discussion about the heritage of charity in Medway.

We’re joined by Martin Sissons, CEO of the Watts Charity, which is nearly 450 years old and still as relevant and needed as ever. We’re also with Janet Fischer, Chief Executive of Live Music Now, which brings music to vulnerable communities, and John Portman, who is an award-winning organiser of many different activities designed to help those with dementia.

Then we head out on the streets with Neil and Tracy Charlick of the Gillingham Street Angels at their weekly community kitchen, on the ground on a very windy afternoon! It’s charity in the raw.

Richard Watts Charities Almshouses https://www.richardwatts.org.uk/

An open day is being held at Watts Almshouses on Saturday, September 14. Find more information here: https://www.richardwatts.org.uk/copy-of-july-2023

Live Music Now website https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/

For more information about Rochester Dementia Cafe visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/directory_record/279279/rochester_dementia_memory_cafe

Gillingham Street Angels https://www.thestreet-angels.org/

If you would like to volunteer to support any of the charities you’ve heard about in this episode. Please click the relevant link and contact them. They are always looking for new people to join their teams.

With thanks to the City of Rochester Society for supporting this podcast. Find out more about their work at city-of-rochester.org.uk

We Did it Medway is presented by Rob Flood and Philip Dodd. It is produced and edited by Suze Cooper of Big Tent Media, with assistance from Emily Crosby Media.

The We Did It Medway music is written and performed by Chris Weller (Staggered Ray), Rob Shepherd (Singing Loins) and Vicky Price (Ashen Keys) with lyrics by Philip Dodd.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A highlight for both of us: a wonderful long May Bank Holiday weekend enjoying the wealth of music, tradition and fun that the Sweeps Festival brings to Rochester every year, with morris dancing ‘sides’ descending to perform all along the High Street and up in the Castle Grounds.

Around all that centuries-old tradition there’s also a booming world music/folk/roots festival in venues across Rochester. This year we loved the French Celtic energy of Sur Les Docks and local legends the Singing Loins at the Rising Sun, as well as the Balkan gypsy folk of Balamuc, and Staggered Ray (featuring Chris Weller and Rob Shepherd from our pod jingle).

The Sweeps Festival was part of Rochester life for centuries - celebrated by Charles Dickens - until common sense and health & safety stopped chimney sweeps sending young boys up chimneys… In the early 1980s it was Gordon Newton who began the renaissance of the Festival and has overseen it grow and grow to become a central plank of Rochester culture and music. Gordon tells us the whole story, and throws in a bit of melodeon playing to boot.

So join us out on the streets of Rochester, chatting to musicians and Morris dancers to capture the flavour of the whole event. How SWEEP is YOUR love?!!

Medway Council Rochester Sweeps Festival page https://www.medway.gov.uk/sweepsfestival

Sweeps Festival Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RochesterSweepsFestival/

With thanks to the City of Rochester Society for supporting this podcast. Find out more about their work at city-of-rochester.org.uk

We Did it Medway is presented by Rob Flood and Philip Dodd. It is produced and edited by Suze Cooper of Big Tent Media, with assistance from Emily Crosby Media.

The We Did It Medway music is written and performed by Chris Weller (Staggered Ray), Rob Shepherd (Singing Loins) and Vicky Price (Ashen Keys) with lyrics by Philip Dodd.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.