Restore Rochester Castle
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by Katie Lamborn
Hundreds of people have joined an online group in a bid to
generate cash for one of the county's landmark heritage sites.
More than three hundred people have joined the facebook group
Restore Rochester Castle saying they want to
return it to its original splendour.
The group wants to raise enough money to repair the Keep and
to buy new floors and a new roof.
Fundraising ideas so far have included holding a medieval
festival in the town.
Group creator Jon O'Donnell said: "Membership of the group
is growing everyday," said Mr O'Donnell.
"I've been pleasantly surprised how many people are so
emotionally attached. It's part of people's Medway
identity."
"Medway Council and English Heritage shouldn't be expected to
dig deeper given the harsh economic times."
The council say future planned improvements for the castle can
be accessed through their
website.
English Heritage Assistant Visitor Operations Director for the
South East, Samantha Lloyd said: “We welcome the interest of local
people in the future of the castle.
"Our latest estimates are that it would cost
at least £10million to re-roof the castle. It has been looked
at many times over the last few years and is not currently
affordable.
"The Castle is regularly surveyed and is in a
generally good state of repair. The recent wall collapse was
not the original castle wall but a much more recent wall."
"Critics should look at restoration as a business
proposation," says Mr O'Donnell.
"The castle is a tourist attraction in its own right
and preserving it will bring more money into the Medway
towns."
Thursday, March 18 2010
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