The City of Rochester Society 2012 Rochester Walks Week ran from Monday 8th October to Saturday 13th October. All the walks attracted visitors and friends but due to the inclement weather, were not as popular as last year. We realise that autumn was a little late to be expecting large numbers and we look forward to next year when not quite so much will be going on – no bicentennials and grand diamond celebrations for example. We think too that the weather in August should be warmer!
Our walks this year provided much needed donations to a number of local charities. In a small way, we were able to assist the Friends of Eastgate House, the Friends of Broomhill, the Friends of the Vines, the Friends of the Parish of St Peter with St Margaret and also Protect Kent.
Rochester Walks Week is an excellent opportunity to take a fresh look at your city and its surroundings. Donations of £1 per person per walk are suggested and all money raised goes to local charities and Civic groups. Pre-booking is essential and can be done by calling 01634 320598 or 01634 721886. The walks schedule for 2012 was as follows;
Monday 8th October – Eastgate Without
Explore the often overlooked eastern part of the city. This walk took you to Star Hill, New Road, Gundulph Road and Rochester High Street East with a special opportunity to look inside the John Hawkins Hospital on the Rochester/Chatham border.
Tuesday 9th October – Strood Explored
This walk explored Strood High Street, Gun Lane, Frindsbury Road, Church Green and Canal Road.
Thursday 11th October – Dickens’ Rochester
Take a look at Rochester through the eyes of England’s greatest novelist.
Friday 12th October – Through the ‘South Borough’
This walk led you through the southern part of the city, up St Margaret’s Street passed Fort Clarence and on to Rochester Maidstone Road.
Saturday 13th October – A Riverside Ramble
Our final walk started at Strood Pier from where you made your way to Upper Upnor with a refreshment stop at an Upnor hostelry.
The regular City of Rochester Society tours of historic Rochester from the VIC continue at 2.15pm every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday until the end of October.