Tag Archives: Rochester

My city – Rochester

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Robin the Town Crier of Rochester gives his tips on visiting the city.

  1. My  city could be described in one word as  –  Historic.
  2. I would take a first time Visitor to;
    – Rochester Cathedral
    – The Six Poor Travellers
    – A trip on the Kingswear Castle  Paddle Steamer.
  3. My favourite event is The Sweeps Festival. It is the first of our festivals and after a miserable winter, and with the Morris Dancers, represents a new beginning.
  4. My favourite restaurant is; The Atrium. It is intimate and tasty!  Always try to be seated in the front downstairs area.
  5. I would have my picture taken with a background of either the Cathedral or the Castle. They are both so iconic and are in fact ~ Rochester.
  6. My favourite view of the city is from Church Green, adjacent to Frindsbury’s;  All Saints Church. However don’t miss the view from Fort Pitt.
  7. If you’re on a budget then you’ve come to the right place. The Cathedral entry is free, probably the only one in the country that is genuinely free and does not suggest a donation of some amount. The Six Poor Travellers is free and delightful. The Guildhall Museum is free and wonderful and the parking is some of the cheapest in the country. Apart from that all of our views are free and extensive!
  8. The best way to see my city is on a guided tour (seasonal) by a member of the City of Rochester Society. Free! But a donation would be gratefully received.
  9. To escape the crowds (during festivals) I go to Eagle Court. A quiet area behind the Eagle public house and in the shadow of the City Wall. To escape the heat, try the Crypt in the Cathedral.
  10. You can buy great gifts at ‘Carters’, a few yards from the Visitors Information Centre and full of interesting and delightful Bric a Brac and more!  If its tourist gifts you’re after then of course the Visitor Information Centre is the place. That said, the whole of Rochester is full of shops that are ‘different’ and not to be missed amongst them is Nucleus ~ stocked and run by local artists. Oh! And then there’s Baggins Book Shop, the largest second hand bookshop in England. I could go on…….!
Robin – Rochester’s Town Crier

Robin gave us a little autobiography about himself…

Born Bexhill I have since lived in Hastings, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks before being Evacuated (by my father) to Rochester in 1941. Rochester Technical School educated.

Apprentice Joiner, had own firm mainly supplying staircases.

Joined City of Rochester Athletic Club early 50’s Failure! Then joined Wigmore Cycling Club, Failure! Entered a 25 mile road race and was so long getting back that they’d all gone home. I was taken in by AP ‘Titch’ Freeman, Kent and England cricketer and brought back to life with bread and milk. Joined a motorcycle club and succeeded. Hoorah! Entered a 600 mile round Britain Rally and after some years came third.

Scouts. Joined 24th Medway in 1946 in an air raid shelter in Borstal. Represented Kent at 7th World Jamboree in 1951 in Austria. Joined 28th Medway Rover Crew, became a Scout Leader and eventually left in 1990. Still think it’s the best organisation in the World.

Became a car owner and every one I brought blew up. Joined the world of drinkers at an early age and succeeded at that as well. Retired from work in 2003 when I had a heart operation and as soon as I recovered got a job as Town Crier! And that is the best job in the World (only fault I could find is it wore out two kneecaps) Plus of course I’ve got the best boss in Mary Sewell!!! Sniveller!