Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway – Rochester Cathedral

Rochester has announced heritage lottery funding for its ambitious summer project which sees a plane suspended in the nave, Bradford is sharing visitors’ images and stories of faith and community through a unique glass installation, Chelmsford is at the heart of a creation-inspired summer city tour and Gloucester Cathedral has announced its tower re-opening for tours – just some of the events visitors can discover at our cathedrals this summer. 

#WishYouWereHere – Summer in our Cathedrals – what will you discover?

All our cathedrals have exciting programmes for everyone throughout this summer – from headline exhibitions to family days and arts and crafts – and all are underpinned by the daily rhythm of prayer and worship.

Some of our cathedrals charge entry and there may be a fee at others for specific events, but all our cathedrals are free to enter for prayer, worship or to light a candle. 

Do check on the cathedral’s individual website for up-to-date information before you travel.  

And don’t forget to share your pictures and tag us #WishYouWereHere – our summer campaign this year. 

Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway – Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral has announced a £36,414 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the pivotal role Medway played in aviation history and the lasting impact of the Short Brothers in an exhibition this August.

The history of the Short Brothers is a largely untold story given the huge global significance of the Short Factory which was located just a short walk from Rochester Cathedral. 

At its peak it employed 12,000 people. The Short Brothers were among the first to establish an aircraft manufacturing company and aerospace engineering and the funding from the Heritage Fund is vital for retelling and preserving this overlooked part of Rochester’s heritage. Rochester Cathedral hopes it will inspire local families to discover more about the importance of Medway’s aviation past.

Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway will feature a rich collection of artefacts and archival materials allowing visitors to gain insight into the factory workers, engineers and visionaries who helped shape the future of flight. It will accompany the Short Scion Floatplane display in the Nave of Rochester Cathedral which has been developed by Rochester Bridge Trust. 

The Dean of Rochester, Philip Hesketh said:

 “This is a fantastic opportunity to tell people of the importance of Rochester in aviation history and celebrate the thousands of lives of who made it happen.” 

Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“We’re delighted to support Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway, a project that shines a light on the region’s remarkable contributions to aviation history. Medway has a proud legacy of innovation and engineering, and this initiative will help local people connect with that heritage in meaningful and inspiring ways. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re able to invest in projects like this that celebrate local pride and bring communities together through shared stories.”

Alongside the displayed artefacts will be Billy Childish’s painting “Canopus Over Borstal.” Oral histories of those connected with the factory will be collected and meticulously archived by Oral History Medway CIC culminating in a stand-alone podcast, allowing these crucial stories to be preserved for future generations.

Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway opens on the 1^st August until the 31^st August. It will be located in the Rochester Cathedral Crypt and admission is free. 

Discover more about the exhibition and the wider Floatplane programme on the Rochester Cathedral website here.