Medway Neurological Network (MNN), in partnership with Medway Adult Education (MAE) and Nucleus Arts, organised Medway Neuro Arts Festival held on 20 - 21 July 2019.  This highlighted the therapeutic benefts of Arts for those with neurological conditions.  Another feature of the Festival was that it provided neurological information and signposted participants to relevant local support.

The main venue for Saturday 20 July was the Rochester Community Hub/ Library/ Medway Adult Education building and Eastgate House & Gardens, see attached flyer to the right.  Arts showcased were held in 4 zones: Music & Poetry Corner; Dance;  Health & Wellbeing (Tai Chi, Yoga, Mindfulness); and Visual & Creative Arts. There was a range of neurological support information stalls, outside in Eastgate & Eastgate Gardens.  Inside Rochester Hub there was a great ART Exhibition with works submitted by local artists who have a connection with neurological conditions - this exhibition will remain open until 9 August and some of the works are for sale.

Jane Cullen's play 'Say that again' - based on her successful book of the same title - was premiered on Saturday 20 July. The Hempstead Players , directed by Jim Gilmour, perfored the play at Eastgate House, 5.30pm to 7.30pm. on both the 20 & 21 July to full houses and popular acclaim. Jane Cullen introduced the play and answered questions afterwards.  Many thanks for your great support of the Medway Neuro Arts Festival, Jane. See below for a report, including video clips.

Film Festival: Sunday 21 July, with a neurological theme, was held at the Huguenot Museum, Rochester, running 11am to 1pm and then 2pm to 4pm.  To see the Film Festival Programme, morning and afternoon, please click HERE. See below for a report, including video clips.

Festival Sponsors: Rochester Riverside has kindly agreed to part-fund this event with a grant of £5,000 - thank you!!! A cheque hand-over ceremony, conducted by Deputy-Mayor Cllr. Habib Tejan, on 20 May was used to launch the Medway Neuro-Arts Festival, see below for more details. More good news - Jane Cullen, author of the play 'Say that Again', has not only offered to pay for the hire of Eastgate House for the performance of her play, but also donated £500 to the Festival from the proceeds of her book sales. Many thanks indeed, Jane. 

If you would like more information, or have any suggestions or comments, then please contact MNN by email: info@medwayneuro.org.uk  

To the right is a video clip of the Wheel Be Dancing workshop, led by Patricia Reilly - more content to be added as it becomes available.

Many thanks to all of the above dance companies for supporting the Medway Neuro Arts Festival.

Please click image to the left for a video of the Irish Dance Academy workshop.

Camera: Trevor Nagler

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Mike was the Festival's Master of Ceremonies.  He was in fine voice, and wore his very fine liveries, as the video to the right shows >>>

This dementia friendly garden was commisoned by Medway Neuro Arts Festival and formally opened by Cllr. Simon Curry (Chair, Medway Urban Greenspaces Forum and by John Portman (Chair, Rochester & Strood Dementia Friendly Community) on 20 July 2019.  Many thanks to Medway Norse for donating plants to the value of £500.

Please click on the image to the left to see a video clip of the opening ceremony.

Below are pictures of the plaque (design) and of volunteers doing some planting.

Many thanks indeed to Cllr. Simon Curry for taking the lead in organising this project.

Ann Blyth, who runs a very popular Tai Chi class at Medway Adult Education, ran workshops and demonstrations throughout the day in Lower Eastgate Gardens. To see a video clip of the Tai Chi, and gather some of the atmosphere of the Festival, please click the image to the right.