Creatabot and Future Chatham have been successful in receiving a micro-commission from Medway Councils High Street Heritage Action Zone programme to begin a public engagement project about St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Chatham – the historic heart of health in Medway for over 900 years. This project will be launching on the 22nd of February 2021 and involve a week of digitally sharing historical information relating to the hospital from the archives.
During the week, George Atzev from Future Chatham and Natasha Steer from Creatabot will also be collecting memories from people who received care and worked there, including those who lived in the residential quarters. It is hoped that as these stories are collected it inspires some creative inspiration to what is commonly referred to locally as ‘St Barts’. The original hospital, founded in 1078, was based on the High Street, with the chapel on the corner of Gundulph Road being the only remains of the Medieval structures. The hospital was one of a number across the UK for people with leprosy which helped to form the foundation of organised health care for people who are disabled or sick that we see today. The current hospital, which opened in 1863. is currently being converted into flats.
To be part of the project please visit our social media accounts:
www.facebook.com/futurechatham/
You may share your stories and memories with us through the following ways:
- By post:
St Barts Project,
Intra, 337 – 341 High Street,
Rochester
Kent
ME1 1DA
- By email: stbartsproject@gmail.com
- By social media: @FutureChatham on Twitter and Facebook
In collaboration with Future Chatham
HSHAZ is a Medway Council run project and part of a national programme funded by Historic England, working with local people and partners through grant funding to help breathe new life into high streets that are rich in heritage and full of promise. Their work will help unlock the potential of the local area and make them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors.
The High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme pilot is led by Medway Council, funded by Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and supported by Arts Council England.
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