Services are scheduled in various locations including Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, and Rochester. In Chatham, a parade will assemble at Rhode Street Car Park at 10.20am on Sunday, 8 November, proceeding to Victoria Gardens for a service at 10.45am. A further service will be held at Victoria Gardens on Wednesday, 11 November, at 10.45am. Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, will lay a wreath at the Chatham service.
In Gillingham, a memorial service will be held at Great Lines Heritage Park at 8.45am on Sunday, 8 November, attended by Cllr Vince Maple and the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Douglas Hamandishe. Another service will take place at the War Memorial by Medway Park at 9.50am, with the Deputy Mayor of Medway, Cllr Sharon Jackson. A parade will follow towards St Mark’s church on Canterbury Street.
Rainham will host a memorial service at St Margaret's Church at 10.30am on Sunday, 8 November, followed by a move to the War Memorial on the A2 for a two-minute silence and wreath-laying ceremony at 10.45am. The Kent Police Brass Band will provide musical accompaniment.
Rochester will see a Royal British Legion parade starting at 10.25am on Sunday, 8 November, leading to a service at Rochester Cathedral. Members of the public are welcome to attend the cathedral service on a first-come, first-served basis. Medway Council’s Chief Executive, Richard Hicks, will attend, with Mayor Cllr Douglas Hamandishe and Deputy Leader Cllr Teresa Murray laying wreaths. Following the service, a parade will reform and march down the High Street, with wreaths laid at the war memorial.
Services are also planned for other areas, including Brompton and Hoo. Residents are advised to check with local organisers for details as these events are not council-led.
Cllr Vince Maple stated that Remembrance Day is an important opportunity to honour those who have served, highlighting Medway’s strong historical connections to the Armed Forces. Cllr Ron Sands, Medway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, described it as a deeply meaningful time for veterans, serving personnel, and communities to pay tribute.
Free parking will be available in selected council car parks on Remembrance Sunday (8 November) between 7am and 3pm in Chatham (James Street and Riverside Car Parks), Rainham (Cricketers Car Park), and Rochester (Blue Boar Lane, Cathedral, and Corporation Street Car Parks). Specific car parks will be closed during service times. Additional blue badge parking will be available on The Esplanade.
Temporary road closures will be in effect on Sunday, 8 November, to ensure the safety of services and parades. Closures will affect areas in Rochester (8am-2pm), Chatham (8am-1pm), and Gillingham (9am-11am and 10.30am-10.45am). Rainham will experience a road closure on the A2 High Street from 10.30am to 11.30am.
