From "This is Kent", 17th November 2010

 

Restoration plan for Rochester Castle makes progress, say campaigners

 

A group campaigning for the restoration of Rochester Castle says it is close to forging a partnership with Medway Council and English Heritage. The Rochester Castle Restoration Society wants the castle's roofs, floors and stonework to be fixed, and to transform it into a working attraction. Their proposals would also see a trust established to run the castle. The group met with the council in September with a view to teaming up with English Heritage, which would help raise the £10m required for the work.

 

Peter Reeds, 63, an artist and member of the society, said: "It's quite exciting in that Medway Council are really keen to get involved with us. They have taken us on board as representing the people of Medway and they want to help take things forward."

 

Mr. Reeds says the problem is that the Government and local authority has no money to spare.

 

He said: "We believe if the castle was restored it could attract another quarter of a million people to the town, each year. Part of the plan is to make it self-funding."

 

English Heritage, which currently has a management agreement for Rochester Castle with the council, is keen to clarify the restoration society's intentions before they commit to an alliance.

 

An English Heritage spokesman said of the society: "We welcome their enthusiasm and commitment, and look forward to future talks with Medway Council about any partnerships that may be formed to ensure the castle can be enjoyed by future generations."

 

If a partnership were established the society would be eligible to apply for lottery and European Union funding, as well as cash from other sources. In the meantime members have registered the society as a company so that it can collect money. To raise cash for the campaign Mr. Reeds, of Borstal Road, Rochester, will be auctioning one of his original paintings, which he says captures his love for the castle.

 

He said: "It's one of the most active castles in that it has withstood three sieges. I have seen a lot of castles in the country, but this one has got a special magic."

 

For more information about the campaign visit www.restorerochestercastle.co.uk/index.html

From the BBC website, 22nd November 2010

 

Kent campaign to save 'decaying' Rochester Castle

 

Conservationists have begun a campaign to preserve Rochester Castle. The Restore Rochester Castle Campaign wants to save the walls, floor and roof of the 12th Century building. A section of the outer wall of the castle had to be rebuilt last month after collapsing because of heavy rainfall. Campaigner Jon O'Donnell said the medieval castle was "decaying faster and faster", and access was restricted because of falling stone.

 

'Big Society'

 

He said: "Access around the base of the castle is now no longer possible due to falling ragstone. People are now only able to enter with the help of safety netting over the entrance."

 

Mr. O'Donnell, who chairs the Restore Rochester Castle Committee, added: "We believe we represent the Big Society - people stepping forward to take ownership of our castle and saving it for future generations."

 

Campaigners plan to raise funds for the castle's restoration, raise awareness about its plight and petition the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for support.

Hi guys, I don't know how many of you have visited the Restore Rochester castle

 

website but I'd be interested in what you all think about it.

 

I've complained to the author with regard to historical inaccuracies and

 

misleading information but he doesn't seem to care.

 

Its here http://www.restorerochestercastle.co.uk/index.html

 

Paul.

No I hadn't visited his site till you posted. Admittedly I've been busier then normal and haven't seen much of the web of late.

 

If a site has historical inaccuracies and misleading information and the owner wont fix it, I agree, how can he be trusted with any thing to do with the stated purpose?

If you wish you can use this site to set things right.

I would welcome the rightful history accounts.

 

I realize this forum's skin isn't quite what it should be for the information with-in, but I am working on it when I can find the time.

I'm really surprised he used graphics better suited to a automotive speed shop for his, says to me somethings not quite right. But that is MOHO.

Thanks Duncan, the guy who is the chairperson of the campaign believes that he can

 

take over ownership of Rochester castle.

 

Isn't that a scary idea?

 

His site contradicts itself on numerous occasions regarding the history

 

of Rochester castle and that leads me to doubt their integrity and honesty.

 

I can't say too much more on a public website but, suffice it to say, I am

 

currently in contact with several academic bodies with regard to the

 

intentions of the "Restore Rochester castle campaign."

 

Hopefully, I can post more information at a later date.

 

Paul.

There's no chance of him taking over ownership. English Heritage would probably vet him first anyhow.

Hi Andrew,I know that it would be impossible for anyone to take over

 

ownership of Rochester castle but Mr O'Donnell clearly believes

 

that he can.

 

If you look at the "campaign's" facebook site, My link he has clearly

 

misunderstood Eric Pickles' proposals with regard to local people

 

taking over control and ownership of ex council buildings.

 

I firmly believe that English Heritage and Medway council will reject their proposals just as they

 

did after their last meeting with these people.

 

Also, I don't think that EH want a repeat of the problems at Conisbrough that occurred two years ago.

 

Paul.

I finally tracked down a reasonably-priced Tombleson's print of Rochester Castle to add to my collection. This one is from 1833.

 

Another old postcard of Rochester Castle added to my collection yesterday.

 

Another old engraving of Rochester Castle, recently added to my collection, dated 1875.