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The Festival of Chatham Reach at Sun Pier returns with sailings on the River Medway

10:10, 22 September 2023

updated: 06:47, 25 September 2023

A river festival is back for its third year this weekend.

The Festival of Chatham Reach celebrates the heritage of the River Medway and its ships, with free tours aboard the historic steam tug Barking and sailing barge Blue Mermaid.

Red2Red Rib will be offering sailings up the river. Picture: Historic England
Red2Red Rib will be offering sailings up the river. Picture: Historic England

There will be trips on sailing barges the Edith May and Repertor, high-speed tours of the river by Red2Red Ribs and walking history tours.

Throughout the day there will also be market stalls, art workshops, demonstrations such as crab winching and knot-tying, and live music featuring sea shanties and folk songs.

It is a collaboration between Tiller and Wheel, which offers sailing experiences and is based in Lower Hastlow, and Sun Pier House, with funding from Medway Council and the Cultural Consortium for The Old High Street Intra, Heritage Action Zone programme.

Visitors will be able to go aboard the Edith May Sailing Barge. Picture: Historic England
Visitors will be able to go aboard the Edith May Sailing Barge. Picture: Historic England

Sun Pier House CIC founder and one of the organisers, Heather Burgess, said: “The Festival of Chatham Reach has become a much-loved local event, and I am excited to see it return for its third year.

“Sun Pier House and Tiller and Wheel have joined forces to make this happen, and I am proud of our collaborative effort. We are pleased to have created another memorable event that represents the spirit and history of the Intra area.”

The Festival of Chatham Reach will be taking place at Sun Pier, in Chatham, on Saturday from 11am to 5pm.

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