Restore Rochester Castle

Iris at the Castle June 2010

Rochester Castle, standing high above the River Medway, is a stunning backdrop for historical festivals, theatrical spectacles, markets and musical events. However it desperatley needs funding to restore it.

The castle is such an important landmark. In the Summer we love eating picnics, pies and icecreams in the castle grounds. It feels like a holiday town! In the winter the girls zoom around the paths on their scooters, the view constantly changing: one minute the spires of the cathedral, then the river and bridge far below and finally the castle towering above them. It is an inspiring and beautiful building.


I will never forget the start of an evening performance at Fuse 2008 that lit up a soldier in a top window of the castle who shouted down to the audience, 'A boy is born' and heralded a show of fire, wild drum beats, dancing and the most moving poetry and drama I have ever seen. The acting was good but the setting made it so memorable.

When Justin Smith, the previous head of The Pilgrim School, showed me and other parents around the new building, he stood proudly in front of a round window that looked down over Borstal towards Rochester. 'We wanted the children to see the Castle every day. It's a great view!'  

Places are important. They make up our identity and are a backdrop to our lives. I don't want to be part of the generation that lets this fabulous castle falI into disrepair. I support the restoration of Rochester Castle and hope it will bring residents and tourists into the heart of the Medway Towns for generations to come.

Fuse Festival in Rochester Castle Grounds 2009

Click here to visit the Restore Rochester Castle site and pledge your support for the campaign. Look out for representatives in the High Street from 6th - 12th December.