Medway Plaque

Memorial Plaque

On Thursday 15th June we were privileged to witness a historic moment. In conjunction with The Nubian Jak Community Trust, Medway Council Arts team, The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Chinara Enterprises Ltd, Medway TUC, Unite SE region, Councillor Lady Lola Magdalena Ministries, Medway Health Unison Branch and Steve Wilkins Medway TUC. We unveiled a blue plaque commemorating the lives of Chatham and William Cuffay at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

Chatham Cuffay emigrated to Medway in 1772 worked at the Dockyard with the Royal Navy and his son William Cuffay, born in 1788, was a tailor with a shop in Rochester High St, who became a pioneering chartist that challenged the government of his day.

The plaque was installed last year to mark 150 years since William’s passing, however, due to Covid restrictions, the official unveiling was delayed. Those in attendance included Trustees of MACA, Dr Jak Beula and The Mayor of Medway, Councillor Jan Aldous, Chief Supt Coretta Hines, Richard Morsley, Chief Executive Historic Dockyard Chatham, and other specially invited guests. The occasion celebrated the lives of father and son and their great achievements. We are proud to continue unmasking Medway’s hidden history.