Rochester Castle conservation efforts stepped up as the Restore Rochester Castle Charity celebrate new found status

In a project jointly funded by Medway Council and English Heritage, conservation experts have been using the latest techniques to find out more about Rochester Castle's Keep and carry out some essential maintenance work.

It's a long awaited development for the campaigners who wish to see the castle restored, a campaign which began in February 2010 and brought them full charity status on June 15th this year.

A team of specialists from Ascend Rope Access used techniques similar to abseiling in order to examine the walls of the castle giving them viewpoints that have not been accessible for hundreds of years. Rochester Castle Keep was a particular challenge due to its 30+ metres height, being one of the most impressive medieval Keeps in England. Often their work to castles is only two or three storeys in height.

Data loggers (in the form of boxes) have been fixed to the interior of the keep this week to collect information over the next three years. This will help the team to understand the rate of decay to the castle in the modern era, particularly to the surfaces of the fine carved Norman stones.

The wireless system allows the information collected to be monitored remotely. Other tests will include checking samples of mortar and stone, as well as the condition of the core of the massive walls. Further inspections of the Keep exterior will be carried out later this summer.

Medway Council Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Cllr Howard Doe said: "Rochester Castle Keep is one of the most impressive medieval keeps in the UK and it is important that we maintain it for generations to come. This exercise will help us to understand rate of decay at the castle and what needs to be done to protect it."

The Restore Rochester Castle Charity held a sponsored run/walk event in the grounds on Sunday. They hope to help raise significant funds which will allow restoration to begin when the structural assessments are complete.

Although there was a smaller turnout of runners than anticipated, the charity wishes to thank all of those who did support the event, whether taking part physically or in helping out and giving their time for free: Cllr.Ted Baker, a stalwart supporter of the campaign since it's inception; Russell Palmer, a re-enactment specialist in his alter-ego of a Templar Knight; Olympic Silver Medallist, Paul Nihill; Face Off face painters, Emma from the Tudor Roses, and all the volunteers and council stewards who manned the course for the benefit of the participants.

Those taking part collectively covered approximately 100km in two hours, an excellent figure, especially as many were walking. The final cash raised won't be known for some time but thanks for donations must also go to the castle's many visitors, including our overseas visitors from Germany and Spain, who were particularly thrilled to find a Tudor lady and a Templar Knight in attendance!

Restore Rochester Castle Charity Vice Chairman, Peter Reeds, said: "Our partners, Medway Council and English Heritage, are pulling all the stops out to get the work done on our castle. It's up to us now to drive the next stage forward and raise the funds needed." 

Keep up to date with the campaign, or volunteer your services, via their website. You can view galleries of pictures from Sunday's event here.