Medway Pride CIC, MGSD Centre, 331 High Street Rochester Medway ME1 1DA info@medwaypride.uk 01634 408668

Ticket Registration

The next tickets drops at 6pm 1st August followed by Type 2 tickets at Midnight Thursday 1st!

As before ‘midnight’ on Thursday means the moment Thursday stops and Friday starts please read the following notes carefully, we want everyone to understand how the ticketing works We want as many people as possible to enjoy Medway Pride but the Castle Gardens only hold 4500 people (this includes babies and children by the way, which is why they need tickets).

We know that not everyone stays for the whole day however, which is why we have timed tickets this year. So,

Type 1 tickets allow entry from 10.30am you can stay till 8pm the end of the show. We’d recommend getting to the gate before 2.30pm if you can, though it’s not compulsory. you might have to wait a bit in the queue with type 2 ticket holders if the gardens are at capacity.

Type 2 tickets allow entry only after 2.30pm.Please remember that once the castle is full we have no choice but to operate a one-in-one-out system to keep everyone safe. As a result, if you arrive after 2.30pm, you may need to queue for a bit.

Medway Pride 24 Registration

Medway Pride 24 is a Free to Access Community Event. Although the event is free for the public to enter the cost of producing the event is covered by Medway Pride CIC a not for profit company owned and managed by volunteers. 

We need to raise approximately £85,000.00 per annum to cover the cost of our annual events and the services we provide to support the LGBTQIA+ community members of Medway and the surounding area. These funds come in the form of grants from public and private bodies, business and private sponsors of our events and donations from members of the public.

Medway Pride CIC would like to thank all our Sponsors, Grant Providers and those who have donated to the Medway Pride Fund

Medway Pride 24 is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Other Funding sponsors include Medway Council, Universities at Medway (University of Greenwich, University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University), Rochester Riverside Community Fund.

Other sponsors include, State 4 Restaurants McDonalds, Kent Cider Company, Kreston Reeves, MHS Homes, Moat Housing, Veolia, Coop, Tesco, Giant Stride Graphics, City of Rochester Society, Ship Inn Rochester, WCB Utilities Ltd, Kent Police PCC, Medway Labour & Co-operative, Orbit Group, Making a Differance Locally Ltd., Hempstead Village Fayre, plus individual donations.

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO THE MEDWAY PRIDE FUND 

Your donation will help us to keep producing our pride events and deliver our services.

Medway Pride 24 is an LGBTQIA+ community festival with entertainment, music, local, national, internationally recognised acts.

PLEASE ONLY BOOK THE TICKETS YOU NEED.

We want to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the event so we have placed the following conditions and ticket allocation to manage the safety of everyone attending the event.

All tickets are limited in number due to the capacity of Rochester Castle Gardens. There is a maximum of 4500 individuals allowed entry to the castle gardens at any one time. The festival stage has 9 acts over 8 hours, some early arrivals may decide to leave during the event, so we will be managing entry to the event over the day. Once capacity has been reached we will monitor the numbers of people in the grounds and allow entry as other people leave.

There will be two ticket types to enter Medway Pride 24 Festival available, plus the tickets to join the Pride Parade. 

Medway Pride 24 Parade Ticket  This ticket allows you to join the public community section of the pride parade. You would need to follow the instructions on joining the parade in Rochester High Street from 10am Saturday 17th August.  If you have a ticket to Join the Medway Pride Parade along Rochester High Street it will also give you entry to the Festival Event at Rochester Castle Gardens. You only need the parade ticket, do not book any other ticket type. There is a maximum of 500 tickets to enter the parade, so please only book the tickets you need.

Voluntary Organisations including support groups and charities working with LGBTQIA+ community who wish to join the pride parade as a group to represent those orgs/groups can register to join the Pride Parade HERE

Medway Pride 24 Festival Ticket 1 will allow entry to the Castle Gardens from 10.30am on 17th August you can stay until the festival closes at 8pm. To garauntee entry please arrive before 2.30pm. If you arrive at the entry gate after 2.30pm you may need to wait in the que if the gardens are at capacity. Our security staff will advise when you are allowed to enter.

Medway Pride 24 Festival Ticket 2 will only allow entry to the Castle Gardens from after 2.30pm on 17th August if capacity allows. When you arrive at the gate you may need to wait in the que if the gardens are at capacity. Our security staff will advise when you are allowed to enter.

YOU DO NOT NEED A TICKET TO WATCH THE MEDWAY PRIDE 24 PARADE IN ROCHESTER HIGH STREET

YOU DO NEED AN APPROPRIATE TICKET TO ENTER ROCHESTER CASTLE GARDENS AT A GIVEN TIME

MEDWAY PRIDE TICKETS LINK  THIS WILL BE ACTIVE FROM MIDDAY JULY 1ST

GET YOU TICKETS HERE

If you have booked a ticket you no longer need please return and cancel them via the eventbright app/website.

All tickets are free tickets but we encougae you to make a donation. The funds raised from the donation go to Medway Pride CIC Fund.

You can make donations to the Medway Pride Fund or buy Medway Pride Lottery Tickets at any time and all funds raised go to funding services. 

Please follow the instructions of Medway Pride 2024 security staff for your own safety and the safety of others.

Medway Pride is an LGBTQIA+ community festival with entertainment, music, local, national, internationally recognised acts:

everybody including children will need a ticket to enter the Castle Gardens event. Under 16yrs of age will need adult supervision 18+ years.

Please read all the information below,

The infomation below is important

By registering for a ticket you accept all the conditions listed below. Tickets will be released in batches, further tickets will be released once each batch has been taken. We will give advance notice of when tickets become available.

Event Itinery

Rochester Castle Gardens will open to the public from 10:30am

Pride Parade Rochester High Street will commence at approximately 10:45am

Rocehster Castle Stage opens 12:00pm

Medway Pride is back with a fabulous #MedwayPride24 line up.

You can book up to 4 tickets. We ask you to only book the tickets you need for your personal / family group. This is to help prevent duplicaton of tickets for individuals. If you require more than 4 tickets you can use another email to register for more.

Please Help Us To Support LGBTQIA+ Communities

We hope you enjoy Medway Pride 24 and the fabulous entertainment we have brought you this year. We need your feedback and support to help us raise funding to produce our pride events.

By registering for Medway Pride 24 tickets you are giving Medway Pride CIC permision to send you updates about the event and for Medway Pride CIC to send you an email with a link to our event survey, please fill in our feedback survey after the event.

Medway Pride CIC is a voluntary not for profit organisation. We have no employees, we are all volunteers so all funds raised go to supporting local LGBTQIA+ voluntary organisations like MGSD Centre, and running our pride events. We need to raise funds to keep producing Medway Pride. Please make a donation to our Medway Pride Fund to help make this and other Medway Pride CIC events happen.

Thank you

Hilary Cooke Chair Medway Pride CIC

Medway Pride 24 The Event

The event will commence with entertainment in a Pride Parade through Rochester High Street starting at approximately 10.45, with the main event being held in Rochester Castle Gardens. There will be community stalls, bars and food outlets, and creative activities

Entry to Castle Gardens

You will need a ticket to enter the Castle Gardens event. Under 16yrs of age will need adult supervision 18+ years to enter.

Please register for a ticket and we will send you updates on the event.

Parade Tickets

Tickets to enter the pride parade give guaranteed entry to the festival event so you only need a ticket to enter the parade.

Medway Pride 24 Sponsors are guarenteed a place in the parade.

The parade places are now fully filled, only those with tickets can join the parade.

Getting to Rochester

Rochester Castle stands on the east bank of the River Medway in Rochester, Kent, South East England.

Castle Hill, Rochester ME1 1SW

Getting to Medway couldn’t be easier.

We encourage everyone to use public transport to attend Medway Pride 24.

Rochester Medway is just 30 miles from London and 40 miles from the Channel ports and Eurotunnel. It’s easy to get to by rail, road, air and sea, and when you’re here, travelling around couldn’t be easier. The area has excellent public transport links by bus, train and taxi.

By Train -Rochester railway station is on the Chatham Main Line in England, serving the town of Rochester, Kent. It is 33 miles 61 chains (54.3 km) down the line from London Victoria and is situated between Sole Street and Chatham.

By local bus – The area is well served by public transport. Once here you can easily move around using local train, bus and taxi services. Arriva provides a frequuant 10-minute bus service daily between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime. It also operates several other services throughout Medway and further afield from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station. Visit www.medway.gov.uk for further details on local bus services operating throughout Medway and timetables.

By road – Medway’s five towns of Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Rainham and Strood are signed on the road network, plus look out for the brown tourist attractions signs. There is easy access from London and the Kent coast on the M2/A2 and M20 motorways, linking with the M25. There are direct links from A2/M2 to Rochester/Chatham/Gillingham via the A289/Medway Tunnel. Regular coaches run from London Victoria to the area.

Parking

Blue Boar Lane Car Park Blue Boar Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PD

Rochester Station Car Park High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1HQ

Corporation Street Car Park Corporation Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1N

Rochester Riverside Car Park Rochester ME1 1GR,

High Street – Opposite Furrell’s Road Car Park High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1H

Cathedral Rochester Car Park (Disabled) Northgate, Rochester ME1 1LX,

Boley Hill Car Park CLOSED During the event Epaul Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1TE

Kings Head Disabled Car Park CLOSED During the event Epaul Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SN

Entrance Criteria & Code of Conduct

Understand your responsibilities at Medway Pride 24 to make this a safe space for everyone.

Entrance Criteria for All Participants

Our Code of Conduct makes sure everyone understands their responsibilities and is aware of what is and isn’t acceptable at Medway Pride. We ask that all attendees abide by the outlined rules; it helps us keep the event a safe space for everyone. By attending the event in any capacity, you have already accepted to follow this Code of Conduct.

Changes may be made to this Code of Conduct prior to the event. It is your responsibility to check.

Permitted / What to Bring

You can bring the following items to Medway Pride.

Wallet with cash/card & government approved ID

Factory Seald Water Bottles, Empty Reusable Water Bottles (No Glass allowed on SIte)

Blankets to sit on

Fully charged phone and battery pack (tag us on socials with @PrideMedway #MedwayPride24 !)

Cameras – Only take images for personal use, 

Sunscreen

Flags, banners or hand made signs (no hard poles, no corporate/company branding, and no signs promoting illegal activity or hate speech)

Small bags, backpacks or purses (these will be searched upon entry)

Rain ponchos in case of rain

Your best pride outfit!

Read the Code of Conduct in advance

Not Permitted

Please do not bring anything on this list to Medway Pride as it will be confiscated by security at the entrance. We have no safe storage at the event, if you have items that are not allowed and hand them to security we cannot gaurantee their safe return. Please do not risk items being lost

Any item which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon (incl. pen knives and metal cutlery)

Any alcohol, (There will be bars available on site, our licensing means we neeed to control the use of alcohol at the event)

Stickers, flyers, or advertising material,

Fireworks, flares, smoke canisters, chinese lanterns, laser equipment/pens, toy guns, water guns, slingshots

Illegal substances (incl. laughing gas/balloons)

Glass (of any kind)

Personal motorised vehicles or drones(except a mobility scooter)

Klaxons, air horns, megaphones, portable speakers (or other similar items capable of making loud noise)

Anything else not permitted by the Code of Conduct below

Code of Conduct for All Participants

Medway Pride is a celebration of diversity and equality and all attendees are expected to embrace and respect this diversity and equality.

You are required to have read, understood and agreed to this Code of Conduct before attending the event in any capacity. If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, you must not attend the event. Any questions should be directed to Medway Pride CIC.

We will not tolerate any threatening, violent or offensive behaviour against our volunteers, staff, other attendees, police, security personnel, or members of the public.

We will not tolerate any individual or group making derogatory remarks about a person’s sexuality, gender identity, race, age, nationality, disability, appearance, religion, political belief or any other factor. Anyone who displays behaviour that contravenes this rule can expect to be removed from the event immediately.

Any individual infringing the bodily integrity of other participants will be immediately removed from the event. (If you are in a parade group, your group may also be removed from the parade).

There are clear legal guidelines regarding alcohol, drugs, public nudity, etc, which participants are expected to abide by. Laws must always be obeyed. Please remember, this is a family friendly event.

Hand sanitizer in the original packaging with intact manufacture labelling is permitted.

No objects are to be thrown at attendees (including at parade spectators on the parade route). This includes the use of silly string, party poppers and water pistols.

You are not permitted to play amplified music without prior written permission.

Every participant is responsible for their own litter. Littering is prohibited by law. There will be opportunities to dispose of litter at the festival site. Please use the bins provided.

If you see or are notified of any incident that would break this Code of Conduct or the law, please notify the Medway Pride 24 Security team immediately. Anyone found to have failed to report any incidents may face being removed from the parade and refusal into the main event.

We (Medway Pride CIC and the security team) reserve the right to refuse entry, or remove anyone, who does not follow this Code of Conduct or behaves inappropriately (see Consequences of Failing to abide by the Code of Conduct below).

Additional Criteria for Parade Attendees

In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, the following points will also apply to you as a parade attendee.

SEE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARADE

No objects can be given to spectators or other parade participants in the parade staging area or during the parade route, without prior permission.

No parade participants can accept anything from spectators.

No alcohol or drugs are to be consumed or carried in the Parade or Staging Area or during the parade.

Sealed (unbroken seal from manufacture) water bottle is permitted and encouraged.

All participants are required to maintain a continuous forward motion during the parade. No stopping unless we direct you otherwise at stopping points. All performances must be “on the move” except for any stops agreed and directed by the Parade Marshal. No large gaps between parade units of more than 3 metres. Please aim to keep a small sensible gap between groups wherever possible (in both the parade staging area and on the parade route).

All parade groups, except the ‘Community Section’, have assigned group organisers who have ultimate responsibility for your group, and you should be aware of who this is.

Participants of the ‘Community Section’ of the parade should not display any branding to advertise businesses or organisations, without prior permission.

We reserve the right to refuse participation of any individual or group that has entered under a false name or given false information. If you need to make any changes to your application, please contact us urgently.

Only those who are registered parade ticket holders may walk in the parade with either their Parade Group Organisers or Community Section. No one is to be pulled in from the crowds to join.

Additional Criteria for Stall Holders

In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, the following points will also apply to you if you are a stall holder.

Stall set-up is permitted between 08:00 and 09:45. Late entry is not permitted under any circumstances. Early entry can be agreed in advance if required.

Stall shutdown is permitted between 19:00 and 20:00. We strongly discourage leaving the site before 20:00. Vehicles are not permitted on-site until earliest 20.30.

There is no parking on-site. Vehicles may not remain on-site during the event. Exceptions to this are only with explicit permission from Medway Pride CIC with an associated pass. Refer to Additional Criteria for All Vehicles.

Gazebos/marquees/Tables are not provided by Medway Pride CIC and must be securly fixed to the ground..

Your stall is not confirmed until your donation/ payment has been received and Medway Pride CIC have approved your application.

No products in glass bottles may be sold.

Any and all traders are required to use more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

The following are examples; but not a definitive list:

The single-use plastics that make their way into the environment most frequently are:

Cigarette butts

Plastic drinking bottles

Plastic bottle caps

Food wrappers

Plastic grocery bags

Plastic lids

take-away containers

Plastic straws and stirrers

Plastic bags

Are you ready to make some changes to your plastic consumption? Here are some easy solutions:

Replace shopping bags with reusable bags

Use your own coffee mugs and sustainable, non-plastic alternatives

Don’t use non-recyclable plastic bottles and straws – use reusable alternatives

Recycle everything that you can

Medway Pride CIC is a responsible organisation. If it is essential that you use single-use plastic for food safety purposes, please discuss this with your Medway Pride Stall Liaison for permission.

A stall position will be pre-allocated to you at time of booking. This can be discussed with your Medway Pride Stall Liaison if you have a preferred location. Once this location has been allocated, it must be adhered to and cannot be changed on event-day.

Entry for vehicles is via. Boley Hill to Castle Hill, ME1 1SW. There will be a member of staff waiting to escort you to your position. Please wait patiently outside the Castle Row entrance as we anticipate a large number of vehicles. Please ensure you know where this location is in advance, and contact your Account Liaison if this is unclear.

If you need to make any changes to your application, please contact us urgently.

on submitting your application, please enclose a copy of your Public Liability Insurance. These can be obtained online. By purchasing a pitch, you agree to our terms & conditions and agree to abide by our Health and Safety. A copy of our risk assessment will be submitted upon receiving your form. These are subject to change

Upon dismantling your stall, please ensure that you keep the area clean and tidy. Bins will be provided around the site. If a member of staff is required to clean your site then a cleansing charge will apply.

As per previous events, the site will be secured and all those attending must be searched. If you need to go off-site during the day, entry will only be through pre-agreed positions on the site. This is mandatory and any non-compliance will result in the forfeiture of your pitch and no refunds will be made.

Additional Criteria for Parade Group Organisers

In addition to the above general Code of Conduct and Additional Criteria for Parade Attendees, the following points will also apply to you as the group organiser for your parade group.

As a group organiser, you have accepted responsibility on behalf of the entire group and are responsible for behaviour within your group.

The Code of Conduct applies equally to everyone in your group.

Please ensure your group is keeping the orderly flow of the parade. All groups are expected to follow the parade route according to their allocated position in the parade. Each group is expected to stay in order. Any group who tries to overtake another group will be removed from the parade.

If anyone in your group does anything that is against the Code of Conduct, all your group may be immediately withdrawn from the parade. We also reserve the right to deny the entry of your whole group into the festival site if the Code of Conduct is not followed.

Additional Criteria for All Vehicles

In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, this applies to all vehicles, either being used in the parade or for stall holders.

No vehicles are permitted in the parade or on-site without the prior written permission from Medway Pride CIC. Transportation details for attendees can be found on our website.

You must display your vehicle pass on the windscreen of your vehicle at all times. The registration number, and other details on the access pass, must be accurate. This pass is only available with permission from Medway Pride CIC. If you have not received your pass, please contact your account liaison.

The vehicle must arrive in the allocated time window. After this you will be denied access.

Every vehicle must have an allocated driver who is capable and insured for driving the specified vehicle. No other drivers may operate the vehicle.

All vehicles must be: legally roadworthy (MOT), insured, and taxed.

The doors of the vehicle must be locked at all times to prevent anyone other than the allocated driver(s) entering. The vehicle should not be left unattended at any time. Exceptions to this are only with explicit permission of Medway Pride CIC.

The vehicle keys must be in possession of either the allocated driver(s) at all times. Keys should not be left in the vehicle when it is not in motion.

You must not enter, move in, or leave the Parade Staging Area or Festival Site without specific direction from a member of the security team or the organising committee.

Do not drive over 5 mph at any time, with hazards flashing when you are moving and stationary.

We reserve the right to check the inside and outside of the vehicle. Please check that you don’t have anything in the car that would be considered offensive, be illegal, be glass, or be alcohol.

All materials or equipment used on or attached to the vehicle must be firmly secured, fireproofed, and adhere to relevant safety regulations (i.e. electrical items must be PAT tested).

Additional Criteria for Food Vendors

In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, and the above Additional Criteria for Stall Holders, the following points will also apply to you if you are a food vendor.

Please ensure that you bring your own fire safety equipment with you on the day.

Any potential allergies (i.e. nuts) must be clearly signposted for customers. Please make sure that you clearly list a list of allergens in your food to avoid allergic reactions from event participants.

Pitch positions will be offered for specific areas.

Please ensure that you submit an e-copy of your most recent Food Hygiene Rating Certificate and the Food Hygiene & Safety certificates of those attending and working the event.

Please ensure you have submitted a copy of your latest and current in date Gas Safety Certificate.

There are no water services on-site. If you require power, please contact your account liaison (a surcharge may be incurred which must be payable at the end of the event).

Additional Information for Press

Press must have registered in advance with Medway Pride CIC to receive a Press Pass. If you have not registered, please visit Pride HQ in Rochester Castle Gardens on event-day to enquire further.

Press Passes (in the form of a wristband) can be collected from Pride HQ in Rochester Castle Gardens. These must be collected before being able to access the Parade Staging Area or to photograph the parade.

When accessing the Rochester Castle Gardens please enter via the Castle Hill entrance and show proof of being on the press list to whoever is at the gate to gain access. Pride HQ can then be found by asking security at the gate

Press are asked that when taking close up pictures of individuals or groups that verbal permission is gained. When photos are crowd shots, this doesn’t need to apply.

Any photos taken may be used in Medway Pride CIC material, credit will be given to the photographer. If an individual consents to having a photo taken, they also accept that photos of them may be used.

Where possible, please send Medway Pride CIC the photos after if you would like them considered for upload to our website and social media (with credits)!

Consequences of Failing to abide by the Code of Conduct

These consequences apply to any person or group who does not abide by this Code of Conduct:

by disagreement with any of these rules means you will not be permitted to enter the site.

You may be immediately removed from the event. If you have attended with a group or organisation (including for the parade), your group may also be removed from the event site.

Any costs accrued towards attendance will be forfeitet

Any person found to be in possession or under the influence of illegal substances, or taking part in any illegal activity, will be reported to the police, with whom we work closely to deliver a safe event.

We will be unlikely to accept any future application to participate in any part of the event.

Any person behaving in such a manner will be removed from the parade and the festival site. Their group may also be removed at the sole discretion of the Medway Pride CIC / Event Security.

Any complaints or concerns in relation to this Code of Conduct should be raised with the Parade Director as soon as possible after the complaint has arisen. If an issue is not satisfactorily dealt with, then the Event Manager must be informed. In all matters relating to this Code of Conduct, the decision of the Event Manager will be final. You can contact us via the contact form on our website.

MEDWAY PRIDE TICKETS LINKS BELOW WILL BE ACTIVE FROM MIDDAY JULY 1ST

Medway Pride 24 Parade Ticket  This ticket allows you to join the public community section of the pride parade. You would need to follow the instructions on joining the parade in Rochester High Street from 10am Saturday 17th August.  If you have a ticket to Join the Medway Pride Parade along Rochester High Street it will also give you entry to the Festival Event at Rochester Castle Gardens. You only need the parade ticket, do not book any other ticket type. There is a maximum of 500 tickets to enter the parade, so please only book the tickets you need.

Medway Pride 24 Festival Ticket 1 will allow entry to the Castle Gardens from 10.30am on 17th August. you can stay until the festival closes at 8pm. To garauntee entry please arrive before 2.30pm. If you arrive at the entry gate after 2.30pm you may need to wait in the que if the gardens are at capacity. Our security staff will advise when you are allowed to enter.

Medway Pride 24 Festival Ticket 2 will only allow entry to the Castle Gardens from after 2.30pm on 17th August if capacity allows. When you arrive at the gate you may need to wait in the que if the gardens are at capacity. Our security staff will advise when you are allowed to enter.

YOU DO NOT NEED A TICKET TO WATCH THE MEDWAY PRIDE 24 PARADE IN ROCHESTER HIGH STREET

YOU DO NEED AN APPROPRIATE TICKET TO ENTER ROCHESTER CASTLE GARDENS AT A GIVEN TIME

MEDWAY PRIDE TICKETS LINK  THIS WILL BE ACTIVE FROM MIDDAY JULY 1ST

GET YOU TICKETS HERE

If you have booked a ticket you no longer need please return and cancel them via the eventbright app/website.

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