Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday 16th September at Rochester Community Hub for our Annual General Meeting. It was fantastic to see such support from our members, councillors, and the Medway Greenspaces team. FoRCE Chair, Terry Clennell, opened the meeting with thanks for everyone’s continued hard work and highlighted another year of growth, community spirit, and new initiatives.
Highlights from the evening included:
- Treasury update: Thanks to grants, memberships, and donations, FoRCE’s finances remain in good health.
- Projects: From foreshore clean-ups to Rochester Pier works, volunteers have made a visible difference this year.
- Membership and Volunteers: Steady growth, with three new life members, and support from groups like the Kent Police Cadets.
- Events: Plans for more recruitment sessions and community meet-ups in 2026 are underway.
Elections were officiated by Peter Garrett of Medway Council, and we’re delighted to welcome the following committee for the year ahead:
- Chair: Terry Clennell
- Vice Chair & Comms: Natalie Poulton
- Treasurer: Jean Skilling
- Secretary: Courtney Wilson
- Membership: Jacques Parker
- Events: Jo Summers
- Partnerships: Terri Zbyszewska
- Technology / River & Pier: Kristian Hansen
- Maintenance: Aileen Smith
- Without Portfolio: Will Kingsland
Looking ahead, members discussed exciting plans including:
- Planting trenches for our Hedgerow Project, which began this week and will continue through autumn
- Working with Norse and Medway Council creating more sustainable planting schemes
- Exploring opportunities for “City FoRCE” to bring our model of volunteering to other parts of Rochester
- Progress on Section 106-funded improvements to the Esplanade play area
- The meeting closed with thanks to all volunteers and supporters for their vital contributions — and a shared determination to keep Rochester’s green spaces thriving.