The Rochester Bridge Trust

09/07/2026

**Free Adventure Golf in Chatham 28 July-8 August**

Looking for fun things to do with your kids over the summer holiday?

Starting Tuesday 28 July at 10am, we’ll be hosting our free adventure golf course at St John’s Chatham.

Putt your way through six holes and six iconic bridges, including Rochester Bridge and the Dartford Crossing, and give your children the opportunity to learn more about engineering.

The Adventure Golf is free with no booking required, and will be open every day from 10am-4pm apart from Sundays.

Ends Saturday 8 August.

https://rbt.org.uk/2026/popular-adventure-golf-course-comes-to-chatham/

09/07/2026

*Free talk, Thursday 16 July – John Rennie and the Rebuilding of Sheerness Dockyard*

Come and learn about the biggest project taken on by one of history’s greatest engineers.

In 1812, John Rennie (1761-1821) was engaged on what would become the largest project of his career: the rebuilding of Sheerness Dockyard.

Rennie had a remarkably varied career, but the Sheerness Dockyard was his most expensive and most prolonged project, running from 1813 to 1831. Rennie didn’t live to see the end of the rebuilding, but the Dockyard endured for over a century, until the Navy left in 1960 and the area was redeveloped.

In this free lecture, Andrew Byrne, Vice Chair of Sheerness Dockyard Trust, will tell the story of this massive project and the man behind it.

Book your place now on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-rennie-and-the-rebuilding-of-sheerness-dockyard-tickets-1989900026546?aff=oddtdtcreator

You can read more about John Rennie on the Rochester Bridge Trust's The Life and Works of John Rennie microsite: https://rbt.org.uk/john-rennie/

07/07/2026

Thank you for having us, Kent County Show!

Our Education team braved the heat this weekend to teach learners of all ages about the principles behind civil engineering. Running bridge-building activities, the team encouraged visitors to experiment and problem-solve so they could learn how structures work.

You can explore our educational activities and resources online at: https://rochesterbridgetrust.org.uk/

04/07/2026

The Rochester Bridge Trust's historic Bridge Chapel and Chamber on the Esplanade are open today from 11am to 4pm!

Come and explore the historic home of the Trust, which has been maintaining Rochester Bridge since 1399. Take a look at the artwork, including a painting by Tracey Emin, and various historical artefacts on display.

It's free and no booking is required.

30/06/2026

Some cooler weather (and some shade!) for pupils at Thomas Aveling School in Rochester to tackle the Let's Build a Bridge challenge today.

Let's Build a Bridge is a full-scale model bridge kit for children ages 9 and up. Working as a team, pupils work with staff from the Rochester Bridge Trust and its contractor, FM Conway, to build the bridge and get a taste of what it's like to work in civil engineering.

Pupils wear full PPE and take on specific roles for Let's Build a Bridge.

Find out more about this free activity on our website: https://rochesterbridgetrust.org.uk/learning-activities/lets-build-a-bridge/

26/06/2026

Did you catch us on BBC Secret Kent?

The Rochester Bridge Trust's Archives Manager Alison spoke to presenter Steve Ladner about the history of the Trust and its Bridge Chapel.

The Bridge Chapel was built in the 1300s as a stopping point for travellers praying for safe passage across the River Medway. It now adjoins the Bridge Chamber, where the Rochester Bridge Trust's trustees meet.

The Bridge Chapel and Chamber are open this Saturday from 11am-4pm, so do drop in to learn more about this historic building.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39yzz1xn1zo

25/06/2026

We are delighted that Sue, our Chief Executive, has been elected as Bridgemaster of London for the third time.

This is a civic role to oversee the construction and maintenance of London Bridge, with the first Bridgemasters being appointed in the medieval period. In modern times, the Bridgemaster’s role is to explain the work of the City Bridge Foundation, a charity that maintains five bridges over the Thames and acts as a major grant funder.

The City Bridge Foundation is in many ways similar to Rochester Bridge Trust, having a primary purpose of maintaining important river crossings while also funding charitable projects through grants.

Congratulations, Sue!

Find out more about the role on Livery Committee's website: https://liverycommittee.org/charities-and-education/charities/city-bridge-trust/bridgemasters/

24/06/2026

It was a lovely sunny day earlier this week (and not too warm yet) for the Rochester Bridge Trust's trustees and officers to see first-hand the result of some of the Trust's grant-making in Kent.

Stops included St. John's church in Chatham, Leeds Castle, St. Mary's Church in Hunton, and Medway Towns Rowing Club in Rochester. All have benefited from grant funding from the Trust, which has covered projects such as stained glass restoration (St. John's) portrait restoration (Leeds Castle), works to a shingle roof (St. Mary's) and a top-of-the-line racing boat fresh from the Paris Olympics (Medway Towns Rowing Club).

The Trust funds a variety of projects where these align with its values and aims. You can find out more on our Grants and Scholarships pages: https://rbt.org.uk/grants-and-scholarships/

18/06/2026

*Free drawing workshop on Wednesday 24 June, 6-8pm*

Fancy trying your hand at drawing in a quiet, historic spot in Rochester?

Join local artist and educator Kerry Jackson-Standen for a relaxed, friendly introduction to observational sketching. Materials and refreshments provided - and absolutely no artistic skill needed!

Book now via Eventbrite:

A fun and relaxed drawing workshop led by local artist, Kerry Jackson-Standen.

12/06/2026

Here is a side by side view of the Bridge Chapel today (left) and in 1928, before it was restored. Originally constructed in 1387, the Bridge Chapel has, at various times, been a storeroom, public house and even a sweet shop, before finally being restored in 1937 as the space we know today.

This unique building will be open to the public tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am to 4pm. If you're exploring Rochester, pop in and find out more about the history of the Rochester Bridge Trust. You can also see a never-before-exhibited early work by Tracey Emin showing Rochester Bridge.

Find out more on our website: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/