Dear all,
I would like to inform you all about the state of affairs regarding the previously announced meeting in Medway to commemorate the disaster that took place here off the Dutch coast 110 years ago.
I am working with a number of good friends to create an attractive commemoration program.
The following is certain:
1. The first showing of the video recording of the commemoration in Chatham on September 22, 2014.
2. Some speakers (including Stuart Heaver) about the disaster and its consequences for the families and communities of Medway.
3. A presentation of the answers to a question I ask all of you next:
I invite you all to write to me about the consequences of the disaster as you experienced it in your own family, at the time and up to the present.
In addition, I invite you to write to me about the impact on the communities of Medway (Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham and Strood).
Please use this email address: h.van.der.linden@tip.nl.
I regret that I cannot yet say where this 110 Years After Event will take place. The weekend of September 21-22 is proving to be a weekend of many activities in the Medway region. I have not yet managed to reserve suitable accommodation for 100-200 people. If you have any good advice for me, it would be very welcome. I have learned that, for example, St. Georges and the Rochester Corn Exchange are not available. To date, the Dockyard has not seen any opportunities to contribute to the program or make facilities available. Their excuse is that they are too busy with the activities for the 40th anniversary of the Dockyard to facilitate us.
It would be very helpful if you let me know before July 15th whether and how many people you can attend.
I aim to let you know how things stand by September 1st at the latest.
With kind regards,
Henk van der Linden
The Live Bait Squadron Society