Great news for the Friends
 
I am very pleased to report that The Plaisterers’ Guild has kindly and very generously given the Friends a grant of £2,000.00 to cover repairs to plaster work at Eastgate House.  There is an area in need of attention which I hope will be rectified shortly.  See photo.  Many thanks indeed to the Plaisterers’ Guild for considering us for a grant.  It all helps to keep the House looking good, and preserving its structure.

Sue Haydock
Chairman

Dear Friends,
 
It’s been some time since our last newsletter but that does not mean we have been sitting on our laurels.  Your committee have been working hard on progressing the work to the windows in the Grand Reception Room.  The work has had to go through a Quick Quotes system which has caused a further delay, but we are getting closer to appointing the appropriate craftspeople to do this specialist work.
 
The committee have purchased some chairs for the house, to help make it more attractive.
 
Our next talk is scheduled for Tuesday 9th September 6 for 6.30. at Eastgate House.  Details of who and the subject matter is still to be finalised. This will be our last one timed for the evening..  Raffle; light refreshments. ⚠️ **Important Update:** To book your place, please call **01634 967292**. (Please do not use the number listed in the newsletter.)

The pond is being sorted as I write.  You may be able to see progress on the work if you pop down to have a look..
 
The Dickens Chalet.  A report from Geoff Etheridge

The Writing Chalet - A Fresh Initiative - Transfer it to the Community?

Perhaps for 50 years Charles Dickens’ writing chalet has languished in the grounds of Eastgate House - inaccessible and deteriorating. A number of grant applications have been submitted to fund its restoration, and all have failed; further applications were likely to fail unless a new and different approach was taken.

Following very constructive discussions with Medway Council and the Friends of Eastgate House it has been decided to apply for funding from the Medway Heritage Place fund. Key to the application will be the exploration and demonstration of the worth of transferring the ‘ownership’ of the chalet from the Council into community ownership.
 
There are various ways this could be achieved - a lease arrangement,  perhaps to a Community Interest Company or some other means.
 
Key to the success of the project will be demonstrating the cultural, educational and economic benefit that could accrue through having a restored and accessible chalet. As important as it is to memorialise Charles Dickens it is essential that the chalet has relevance today - and hopefully inspire future generations of creatives and storytellers. 

Perhaps the reason the chalet is in a dilapidated condition is because it commercial value was not recognised; both in terms of generating the income required to ensure its maintenance, and the benefits that would accrue for the local economy through having more visitors drawn to the 'Eastgate Quarter'.
 
We are at the start of potentially a long journey as we first make the case, then restore the chalet and then operationalise it to benefit the community, and generate an income to prevent the chalet falling into a state of dilapidation again. But it’s not an untrodden path - albeit not in Medway - and the Council has confirmed that £100k of match-funding remains available so long as it can be committed this financial year.
 
If you feel able please complete the Contact Form on the website. The more support / interest we can demonstrate the stronger our case becomes to the Council - to transfer - and to potential funders.
 
https://charlesdickenschalet.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/CharlesDickensWritingChalet
[email protected]

Above image: Chairman, Sue Haydock with the Deputy Mayor at our AGM advertising the Teddy Bears’Picnic

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Sat 12, Sun 13 and Sat 19 Apr, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm
Back by popular demand. Come and celebrate the 160th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s story, with this magical theatre performance.  
Tickets £12 adult, £8 child (up to 16 years)
Suitable for children aged 4 years and up.
Advance booking recommended at www.visitmedway.org/eastgatehouse
or by phone on 01634 332700

Gnomes at Home Trail
Sat 3, Sun 4, Mon 5, Sat 10, Sun 11, Sat 17, Sun 18, Sat 24, Sun 25,
Mon 25 May 10am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm)
Find all the groovy gonks and solve their puzzle with our fun trail.
No need to book – included free with admission to the house.

Steampunk at Eastgate... A Splendiferous Weekend!
Sat 31 May and Sun 1 Jun, 11am to 4pm
A celebration of colourful characters and crazy costumes. Browse costumes
and crafts at our brand-new Steampunk Market in Eastgate Gardens.
Events inside the house are included in the admission price.
Free entry to Eastgate Gardens

Tiny Teds Trail
Sat 26 Jul to Sun 31 Aug, weekends and bank holiday Mon only,
10am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm)
Have lots of fun and finding all our tiny teddies hiding about the house. .
Free with admission to the house.

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic Theatre Show
Sun 27 Jul, 11am and 2pm
Rah Rah Theatre present a fun fifty-five-minute show with songs, dancing,
and a friendly bear. Bring along a picnic and your favourite teddy. Ideal for
children aged 2-6. Ticket holders can enjoy free admission to Eastgate House
and Tiny Teds Trail.
Tickets £8 adults, £5 children (up to 16 years)

Advance booking recommended at
www.visitmedway.org/eastgatehouse or by phone
on 01634 332700

Saturday 14th October looks to be a lovely day, like the ones we have been having recently,  The Friends' charity stall will be the last one this year due to the curtailing of the City of Rochester Society's Craft Fair by the council, which mean we have lost 4 days of trading close to Christmas.  This results in a loss in the region £400 in stall takings.

So please come along to our stall on Saturday 14th and buy some Christmas presents.  We expect to be somewhere opposite the Eagle Tavern.  Your support is gratefully appreciated.

Sue Haydock, Chairman