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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Now ...... this name "Medway"

Is it me? I can't find "Medway" on any map except as the name of a river. I can find Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood etc.
The word "Medway" seems to crop up everywhere and yet the place doesn't actually exist - a bit like The Emporer's New Clothes. Black Lion Sports Centre Gillingham has become "Medway Park" all the signs entering each of our towns say "Welcome to Medway" instead of "Welcome to Gillingham" or "Welcome to Chatham". The philosophy seems to be "If you keep saying it long enough maybe it will become a reality"!

Thamesport renamed London Thamesport

So - Thamesport on the Isle of Grain has been renamed London Thamesport - anyone know why? Is Medway to become London, Medway, SE99 ? Keep muttering the litany of towns and villages as you go to sleep each night lest they be forgotten forever - Rochester...Chatham....Gillingham...Strood....Rainham...Hoo....Cliffe....Grain....All Hallows....High Halstow.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The road to Hell?

The Sir John Hawkins flyover is to come down, a bus station is to be built, it will take two years to complete but the council say it is essential for the regeneration of Chatham. Regeneration or resuscitation? Is Chatham beyond help?

Balancing on a tightrope?

So - Medway Council made drastic cuts in spending, recruitment and employment and was left with a little bit of cash (£620,000) at the end of the year. Is this good or bad news? According to local press it was cause for a "short celebration" at the council.