lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

The popular Castle Concerts series begins tonight, Wednesday, with tribute band the Counterfeit Stones strutting their stuff on the big stage.

A huge amount of preparation goes into getting the venue ready for the gigs and on Monday, pupils from Chapter School in Strood were granted a rare look behind the scenes to see how it's done.
Sixth formers who are studying event management and health and safety were given a guided tour by Medway Council’s events manager, Carl Madjitey.
They heard how the crew arrives in Rochester almost a week before the first show to start setting up the stage and the backstage area.
Carl said: “Planning for where the dressing rooms go to the exact place the stage will stand, it has to fit precisely or it will not work.
“We have to measure the ground to see where everything will fit, and of course we have to make the area secure by putting a fence around the entire arena to make it safe and to make sure no one can get in.”
The pupils also heard how the crew will work all hours to get the area transformed in time for the first gig.

The pupils also learnt that the castle concerts have been organised in Rochester for the past 16 years and have changed and adapted with demand over the years.
They originally started with just a small stage, but these days the crew have to put up a massive 80ft capacity stage, which has just been used at the Glastonbury festival.
Maggie Antoniou, their teacher said: “It was a great opportunity for the pupils.
“They saw first hand the ins and outs of what goes on behind the scenes.
“The tour covered both aspects of the modules they are and will be studying and at least one of them is really interested becoming an events manager.
“Something like this shows them there are lots of careers out there for them.”
Tomorrow night sees Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra make their seventh appearance at the Castle Gardens, on Friday it's the turn of boy band McFly, which has sold out, and the Castle Proms night ends the series tomorrow.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 01634 338338 or can be bought from 2.30pm each day at the box office at the castle gate.
Alternatively log on to www.medway.gov.uk/castleconcerts2009.