Find out more about the medieval charity on your doorstep during a free Bridge Chapel Lecture on Tuesday, 22 October.
Rochester Bridge is the physical link between Rochester and Strood, and for more than 600 years the Rochester Bridge Trust has provided the river crossing at no cost to the public. Making reference to its extensive collection of historic documents, Archives Manager Alison Cable will tell its story explaining the Trust’s role.
Alison said: “Nowadays bridges can be taken for granted as a standard part of a journey, but that wasn’t always the case. When the Roman bridge over the River Medway collapsed in 1381, it was several years before a replacement was built and the Rochester Bridge Trust created, meaning the only way to travel between Rochester and Strood was by boat – or a very lengthy diversion.
“Since 1399, the Trust has provided and maintained Rochester Bridge, including fully funding several replacements and additional crossings. My talk will look at the history of the Trust using surviving historical records to tell its story. The nature of these archives means they also shed light on our local history.”
The free lecture will take place on Tuesday, 22 October, at 6.30pm promptly, in the Bridge Chapel, Rochester. Doors will open at 6pm, and tea and coffee will be served.
Tickets are limited and must be booked, either online via Eventbrite or by emailing erica@maxim-pr.co.uk