Get Involved

Medway Moving Memories

Borstal Street 1940’s: thanks to Medway Archive and Local Studies Centre

As Outreach project Coordinator for Rochester Film Salon, Sarah Hehir secured funding for an intergenerational Arts and Heritage Project which will run from March 26th to April 1st.

Children from the Pilgrim Primary School will make a documentary and an animated film whilst learning about local history and developing the skills required to organise and manage a community event.

They will be joined by residents of Sheridan Court and members of the wider community.

If you have photos, artefacts or memories of Borstal and Rochester that we could use, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Sarah on hehirsarah@yahoo.co.uk or post your ideas and memories to 49 Borstal Street. We would also love you to come and see the film premier at Borstal Community Day on July 9th.

Reckless Tory Police Cuts

Helped by a record number of police officers, crime fell by 43% under Labour and the chances of being a victim of crime were at a 30 year low. Now the Government’s reckless spending cuts will put this progress at risk.

Rochester West is now covered by the same Community Police Officer as Rochester East

less time, more crime

Community Action Delivers

WATT’S MEADOW

Community Action Delivers

After the sudden building of a fence around the entrance to Watt’s Meadow last Spring, came the sad realisation that not only had the Conservative Medway council sold the old nursery land to be built on but the public footpath through Watt’s Meadow was under threat. Derek Munton has been active throughout this campaign, holding meetings and going door to door with petitions and leaflets.

Local residents worked together to retain this important right of way by demanding that the footpath be registered as a definitive public footpath. The definitive path now goes through Watt’s Meadow but has been diverted by means of steps into Southfields.

When we photographed a notice that called for a gate to the housing site, Sarah immediately brought it to the attention of local people via her well established blog http://www.borstalgirl.blogspot.com/ . Meadows W.I. joined the protest. The combined strength of local objections forced council planning officers to take down the notice saying it was, ‘an incorrect description’ and bring the issue up at a full planning meeting. All this action means that there will be no gate restricting access to Watt’s Meadow through the new housing development in the foreseeable future.

A Great Team

Derek Munton and Sarah Hehir: Rochester Art Gallery, Tourist Information Centre

Derek Munton
Derek Munton, Vice Chair of Rochester and Strood Labour Party, was a Labour Councillor for 15 years and Chair of Planning from 1994-2001. As well as being active in the campaign against threats to Watts Meadow, he was active in the movement to protect Borstal Playing Fields from development. Speaking of Sarah Hehir’s selection, he said:

‘We make a great team. Sarah is active on many levels within the community. She has great energy, and enthusiasm. My experience on the council and my involvement in protecting green spaces locally means we are in the perfect position to fight and win this election together.’

Let’s Get Medway Moving…

A New Dynamic Voice



Vote for a new dynamic voice…

Vote for Sarah Hehir and Derek Munton



Sarah Hehir and daughters: Borstal Girls!

Sarah Hehir

Sarah lives and works in Borstal with her husband and three daughters. She is a qualified English teacher and successful entrepreneur. When asked how she sees her role if elected, Sarah replied,

‘I have a vision for our community. I want to generate more inclusive community projects, promote our arts and heritage, support local schools and encourage our entrepreneurs. I believe that Councillors should be visible, dynamic and active members of the community.’

Sarah is Governor at the Pilgrim School, on the Advisory Board of Surestart, on the Board for ABC Project, WI committee member and Outreach Project Coordinator for The Rochester Film Salon. She works at Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institute, Rochester.

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Sure Start

Medway Labour believe that Sure Start centres are a vital asset to Medway and its families and are concerned by the actions of Conservative Councils up and down the country and the lack of clarity from the Conservatives.

Sure Start centres have a proven track record of improving the early years development of children, offering support and advice to families and providing a safe and welcoming community space.

Labour councillors are concerned that the Government’s introduction of the new Early Intervention Grant replaces money ring-fenced specifically for Sure Start. This money will now be in the hands of local authorities, who effectively have less money to spend on a broader range of areas; this can include, but does not necessitate, spending on Sure Start.

Cllr Teresa Murray (Rochester East) says:

“We are deeply concerned that the promise made by David Cameron to safeguard money for Sure Start has been broken, and seriously urge the council to sustain its funding for the scheme”,

Sarah Hehir (Rochester West Organiser) says:

 “As a mum, I am very concerned by the lack of clarity coming from the Medway Conservatives. They have still not clarified to local mums and dads whether these centres will continue to be fully funded or whether they are threatened. We all have to wait until March and this does not allow long-term planning for the Centres or parents.”

Medway Labour submitted a motion to full Council in January, proposed by Cllr Teresa Murray (Rochester East), urging the council to ensure that Medway’s Sure Start centres are kept safe from the round of cuts expected.

This motion was opposed by the Conservatives and watered down. This raises the spectre of a real-terms cash cut in funding.

Read more on the Rochester and Strood Labour Website

WATTS MEADOW: Future secured by community

 

Sarah Hehir and Derek Munton at Priestfields Entrance to Watts Meadow



After the shocking closure of the Priestfields entrance to Watts Meadow, came the sad realisation that the Tory controlled Medway council had not only failed to protect publicly owned land from development but that the footpath to Watts Meadow was under threat. Local residents showed their determination to hang onto this important right of way by opposing the closure and demanding that the footpath be registered as a definitive pathway.

Derek Munton has been active throughout this campaign, tirelessly holding meetings and going door to door with petitions and leaflets.

On a snowy December night, I discovered a site notice for ‘gated access’ and immediately called for local protests via this blog . I also brought this to the attention of the local Meadows Women’s Institute who objected with such force that Simon Fowler, council planning officer, quickly retracted the site notice claiming, ‘it had an incorrect description of development on it.’

Derek and I led the recent campaign, with the help of  many local residents, that resulted in the issue being discussed at a planning meeting. The outcome is a great success; the path will be reopened as a definitive pathway under the new Planning Act.

Thank you to all residents who gave their time, views and experience.

Sarah Hehir: here's to brighter days ahead!

Manor Lane Playground - view looking towards Borstal Marina and Baty's Marsh

I have promised to clarify a few points from my last Blog Post after a conversation with a committee member from Borstal Open Spaces. The good news is that the improvements to the playground are going ahead and should be completed by the end of March. This should be a perfect start to what I hope is a lovely Spring! The bad news is that there is no chance to have any input into the style or content of the playground.

I have also been asked to make clear that the Annual General Meeting on March 17th at 7.30pm is not open to the public but is open to members of Borstal Open Spaces. If you are keen to go and get information on the playground, you can join by filling in your details on the membership form at Borstal Open Spaces and you will be welcome at the AGM. There will be no consultation with the public so no getting too excited about trampolines, sandpits or picnic tables!

I have been told quite clearly that Borstal Open Spaces has absolutely no political affiliations. This is written into their constitution. I have been asked not to post any more details about upcoming events or information of interest to the public. Therefore, if you want to know details about the playground or future events, do look on their website.

Here's to brighter days ahead and to enjoying the green spaces of Borstal and Rochester!