Our second Local Democracy Café takes place on Thursday 20 November at MidKent College, and we’re asking another deceptively simple question:
Does Medway culture matter?
The event begins with a 45-minute panel discussion, followed by a second session where the conversation turns to the audience. You’ll be able to respond to what’s been said in real time, as we explore what culture means in Medway today.
At the end, we’ll gather the thoughts, ideas and priorities raised during the event and share them publicly, with the aim of turning discussion into tangible local action.
Our panel for the first café includes:
- Cllr Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure on Medway Council, who says “I think we also have a wonderful, creative, heritage and diverse community who work together really well and elevate each other.” For Nina, “the more you know/learn about the rich Medway culture, the more passionate you feel about ensuring everyone gets to learn about and experience it in its entirety.”
- Tracy Brunt, Director of Ideas Test, one of the Arts Council of England’s 38 Creative People & Places projects. Ideas Test want "to make creativity part of life for everyone," and that “it makes me think about all the possibilities there are. Underestimate the power of the arts at your risk!”
- Barry Fentiman-Hall, a poet and one half of Wordsmithery, and the team bringing us Medway River Lit, for the third year. Barry describes culture as “a slippery being, that may be cold-hearted, warm-blooded, heavy set or light-headed." He says, “It has a habit of hiding behind net curtains when somebody tries to define it. Medway Culture can be described in different ways."
So, does Medway Culture matter? And if it doesn’t, what would it take?
