Medway pride fringE 2025
saturday 9 august – sunday 17 august
Intra Community Trust is proud to welcome you to this year’s Medway Pride Fringe Festival – our annual celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and community!
Our 2025 programme features an exciting line-up of events across venues in the Old High Street Intra area, with new additions taking place in neighbouring towns for the first time. There’s something for everyone to enjoy; from family friendly to nightlife, arts and crafts, comedy and cabaret, and film and live music.
The Old High Street Intra has long been an important centre for Medway’s LGBTQIA+ community. At its heart stands The Ship Inn, dating back to 1582 and believed to be one of the oldest LGBTQIA+ pubs in the UK. Nearby, Chatham Unitarian Church has been a strong advocate for equality and was among the first in the area to conduct same-sex marriages.
Today, the Old High Street Intra is also home to the Medway Gender and Sexual Diversity Centre, Medway Pride Radio, Poco Loco, Sun Pier House, Intra Arts, and a wide range of other organisations contributing to the area’s creative and inclusive spirit.
Thank you to Medway Council for allocating us funds through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Chatham Town Centre Forum and Medway Lottery Funding. Intra Community Trust has funded the majority of these events for FREE, so come and join in our Pride celebrations with all of Medway!
SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2025
LGBTeas
10:00am – 12:00pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Enjoy a FREE cuppa tea! Discover our welcoming venue and café space, with a simple social morning for LGBT families and adults to sit back and relax.
Fully accessible. Please call in advance to make sure the lift is in operation – 01634 401549.
FREE. No booking required. All ages welcome.
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: LGBTeas | Facebook
Medway Pride and Medway Pride Fringe at Rochester Artisan Market
10:00am – 3:00pm, High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY
Visit our stall to hear more about Medway Pride and Medway Pride Fringe 2025
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Rochester Artisan Market | Facebook
MONDAY 11 AUGUST 2025
Upcycled Accessories Workshop
6:30pm – 9.30pm, Intra Arts, 337-341 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
A sociable sewing evening, upcycling old vinyl Medway Pride vinyl banners into a bag or accessory. Basic sewing machine experience is advisable, but the makes only require simple stitching. Refreshments provided.
FREE. Age 16+ Pre-book via: intraarts.org/pridefringe25/
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Upcycled Accessories Workshop | Facebook
Pride Question Time – Where Do We Go?
7pm – 9pm, Venue available upon request.
FREE. If you are interested in joining this discussion, please follow the link to register your details: https://forms.gle/EJ1UqbBERicdJm21A
Much Laughter Pride Fringe Comedy Night
7:00pm – Late
Poco Loco, 58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Join Much Laughter for an unforgettable night of comedy, camaraderie and community. Let’s laugh together and make a difference, one joke at a time.
FREE. No booking required. Age 18+
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Much Laughter Pride Fringe Comedy Night | Facebook
Film Night – Pride (2014 – Rated 15).
7:00pm – Late
The Ship Inn, 347 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
Screening of historical comedy-drama ‘Pride.’ Popcorn and hotdogs available.
FREE. No booking required. Age 18+
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Film Viewing ‘Pride’ 2014 (Rated 15) | Facebook
TUESDAY 12 AUGUST 2025
Prints of Hope – 3D Modelling Workshop
10:00am – 2:00pm, Intra Arts, 337-341 High St, Rochester ME1 1DA
Join Electric Medway’s creative team to mould your own Pride ‘digital clay’ model on an iPad. Basing it on an object or person that you are proud of, you will then 3D print your model and decorate it. Your work will form part of the Baton of Hope exhibition later this year. No experience or equipment needed.
Wheelchair accessible, toilet, refreshments.
FREE. Age 14+ Pre-book via electricmedway.org
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Prints of Hope – 3D Modelling Workshop | Facebook
Lego Legends of the Dockyard: 300 Steps to the River
10:30am – 12:30pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Join us for this FREE LEGO build workshop. Explore the amazing history and architecture of No.3 Covered Slip and the UK’s largest collection of RNLI historic lifeboats, displayed in No. 4 Slip.
Fully Accessible. Please call to make sure the lift is in operation – 01634 401549.
FREE. No booking required. Age 16+
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Lego Legends of the Dockyard – 300 Steps to the River | Facebook
BIG DRAW little people – Ship in a Bottle
10:30am – 12:30pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Join us for a family art workshop, drawing your own ‘ship in a bottle’ on acetate sheets to create a fun window display. Be inspired by our riverside views and make your mark in our large drawing exhibition of original children’s artwork.
Fully Accessible. Please call to make sure the lift is in operation – 01634 401549.
FREE. Age 3 – 12, adult supervision required. Pre-book via: www.SunPierHouse.co.uk/Whatson
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: BIG DRAW little people – Ship in a Bottle | Facebook
Jam Music Workshop
12:00pm – 4:00pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
An afternoon of jamming and song learning for aspiring young musicians looking to make their first steps into the music world. Refreshments provided.
Fully Accessible. Ground level with immediate access to car park
FREE. All ages welcome. Pre-book via: medwaypridefringe@gmail.com
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Jam Music Session with Dill Tasker | Facebook
‘None but the Lonely Heart’ with pianist Tyler Hay
6:30pm – 8:30pm, Chatham Unitarian Church, 2 Hammond Hill, Chatham ME4 6AP
Stories of the secret queer love lives of great composers in words and music. Featuring music by Lully, Handel, Schubert, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Complimentary drinks and nibbles.
FREE. No booking required. All ages welcome, adult supervision required for under 16s.
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: ‘None but the Lonely Heart’ with pianist, Tyler Hay | Facebook
Life Drawing’s a Drag
7:00pm – 9:00pm, Poco Loco, 58 – 60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Join the Queens of The Loco Cabaret for a night of drag life drawing. Introduction to basic life drawing provided. Materials will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own.
FREE. No booking required. Age 18+
Further information: MEDWAY PRIDE FRINGE 2025: Life Drawing’s a Drag | Facebook
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
‘Blanket of Hope’ Workshop with MESS ROOM
10:30am – 1:30pm, MESS ROOM, Ground Floor, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Join the MESS ROOM team and help create our ‘Blanket of Hope’ with tactile swell drawings symbolising Hope and Pride. Our ‘Blanket of Hope’ is part of the nationwide Baton of Hope project, the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative.
FREE. Drop in throughout the morning. All ages welcome, adult supervision required for under 16s.
The Anchor – Summer Social
3:00pm – 6:00pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
THE ANCHOR is more than just a club – it’s a community. A place where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered to shape their own futures. Sun Pier House provides a dynamic space and introduction to the thriving creative network in Medway.
Fully Accessible. Please call to make sure the lift is in operation – 01634 401549.
FREE. No booking required. Age 15 – 18
Outing Medway’s Past – History Walk
6:00pm – 8:00pm, Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XH
Join historian Rob Flood on a wander through some of the key places that make up the incredible LGBTQ+ story of the Medway Towns.
FREE Age 16+ Tickets via: Outing Medway’s Past: An LGBTQ+ Guided Walk Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Open Mic Night
7:00pm – Late, Poco Loco, 58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Join in or watch an eclectic assortment of performances. See more at www.pocoloco.live.
FREE. No booking required. No age restrictions.
Songs of Sin and Salvation
7:30pm – Late, The Ship Inn, 347 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
Two gay men bring their voices to songs that tell stories about loving other men. Gary B Lucas and Martin Adams will give an intimate acoustic music performance, interspersed with narratives and readings. This will be followed by music videos embracing queer culture as a backdrop.
FREE. Age 18+ Ticket only event. Please ask at The Ship for more information.
THURSDAY 14 AUGUST 2025
Rubbish Idea Pride Flags Workshop
10:00am – 1:30pm, The Pentagon Community Space, The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham ME4 4HY
Eco artist Kieran Poole makes mosaics using littered lids and is bringing the opportunity for you to make colourful Pride flags using them.
Age 7+, adult supervision required. FREE. No booking required
Make-up Techniques for Trans and Drag Presentation PLUS Late Night Shopping
4:00pm – 8:00pm (Demonstrations at 7:00pm), GSA Emporium, 1-9 High Street, Chatham ME4 4EN
Join Luna Howl and our specialist make-up artists as you’re taken through the tips and tricks of Trans Fem and Drag makeup. There will be live tutorials and demonstrations to show how best to snatch your mug. With exclusive use of the GSA Emporium, treat yourself to a new outfit to compliment your look.
Age 16+ Free. No booking required
Outing Medway’s Past – History Walk
6:00pm – 8:00pm, Victoria Street, Rochester ME1 1XH
Join historian Rob Flood on a wander through some of the key places that make up the incredible LGBTQ+ story of the Medway Towns.
FREE Age 16+ Tickets via: Outing Medway’s Past: An LGBTQ+ Guided Walk Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Sun Pier Sounds
7:00pm – 10:00pm, Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Laid-back, live music from local musicians. Join us for a handpicked selection of singer songwriters at our unique venue.
Fully Accessible. Please call to make sure the lift is in operation – 01634 401549.
FREE. Pre-book via: www.SunPierHouse.co.uk/Whatson All ages welcome, adult supervision required for under 16s.
Shiny Printy Pride Drinkies
7:00pm – 10:00pm, Intra Arts, 337 – 341 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
Join our printing party and get sparkly for Medway Pride! Enjoy screen printing fun decorating a colourful T-shirt with a Pride slogan of your own invention and adding shiny foil printed patterns. With delicious cocktails on sale throughout the evening from a pop-up Poco Loco cocktail bar, and a Medway Pride Radio playlist to bring the party mood.
Age 18+ FREE. Pre-book via: intraarts.org/medway-pride-fringe
FRIDAY 15 AUGUST 2025
Story Time with Mama G and Petite Pantos
10:30am – 12:00pm , Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Mama G will be sharing original stories and songs, and some of the best picture books on the market, in an uplifting story time for the whole family. There’ll be dancing and giggles galore as Mama G shares the power of being who you want and loving who you are!
Spotlites Theatre Company presents ‘Boy Stroke Girl’ by Ian Dixon-Potter
6:00pm – 7:45pm, Spotlites Theatre, 338 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4NR
A provocative tale of love in the contemporary world. When Peter meets Blue, an instant connection sparks between them, igniting the possibility of romance. However, there’s one lingering question: is Blue a boy or a girl?
FREE. Pre-book via: www.spotlites.co.uk/whatson Age 13+, adult supervision required for under 16’s.
Hellbound Promotions Pride Fringe Gig
8:30pm – Late, Poco Loco, 58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Live music from local, queer represented rock, punk and psych bands Bitches Ahoy, Luna Lacuna and Larry 73
FREE. No booking required. Age 18+
Pre-Pride Party
9:00pm – Late, The Ship Inn, 347-349 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
With DJ Fanny Fresh and Drag With No Name.
Age 18+ FREE. No booking required.
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2025
Carabiner Charm Making
3:00pm – 6:00pm, Bodega 51, 51 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN
Casual social session and safe space for queer women, hosted by Lavenders – Rochester’s new lesbian social. Trans and non-binary inclusive.
Age 18+ FREE. No booking required.
Pride Afterparty in the Garden with Medway Drag Queens
6:00pm – Late, Bodega 51, 51 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN
Hosted by Sket from Loco Cabaret, with special guest River Medway.
Age 18+ FREE. No booking required.
Medway Pride Official Afterparty
8:00pm – Late, The Ship Inn, 347-349 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DA
With DJ Fanny Fresh, Electric Blue and Melissa Totten as Madonna.
Age: 18+ FREE. No booking required
The Loco Cabaret Medway Pride Afterparty
9:00pm – Late, Poco Loco, 58-60 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
Medway’s home for alternative drag and burlesque with special guests.
Age: 18+ FREE. Pre-book via www.facebook.com/PocoLoco/events/
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