Gillingham Town Council hosted the first-ever Discover Gillingham Day on Friday 9 May 2025 – an event designed to spotlight the town’s growth, community achievements and ambitious vision for the future.

The day brought together over 30 distinguished guests, including elected members, senior officers from Dorset Council, representatives from local businesses, and community leaders, for an insightful and inspiring tour of Gillingham’s present and future assets.

Led by the mayor of Gillingham, Councillor Roger Weeks, and town clerk Julie Hawkins, the day’s itinerary highlighted strategic developments and key community projects across the town.

Delegates were welcomed at the Town Hall before embarking on a guided coach tour, visiting various locations that demonstrate Gillingham’s dynamic and forward-thinking character.

Participants visited key sites including:

RiversMeet Leisure Centre, a community-owned facility offering over 115 weekly classes and inclusive programmes ranging from youth gymnastics to NHS-referred rehabilitation services.

• Hardings Park, a valued green space with inclusive play equipment, a skatepark and future aspirations for improved sports and leisure facilities.
• Brickfields Business Park, home to businesses such as Dextra Group, Merck and many successful thriving smaller businesses.
• The Southern Extension, a proposed major housing and infrastructure development which will deliver 1800 new homes, a new community hall, new sports pitches and pavilions and enhanced open spaces.
• Neal’s Yard Remedies, celebrating 20 years in Gillingham and exemplifying ethical manufacturing and sustainability in the town’s business landscape.
• Gillingham Town Meadow, where recent UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment has enabled enhanced access and drainage to support year-round community events.
• Gillingham Library and Gillingham Museum, two important facilities at the heart of the community. Gillingham Library serves as a hub for learning and social engagement, offering a wide programme of clubs and activities for residents of all ages. The adjacent Gillingham Museum, founded by the Local History Society houses a collection of artefacts that tell the story of the town’s heritage and development.
• St Martins House Extra Care Scheme, an innovative development promoting independent living for older residents in modern, affordable apartments.

Throughout the day, delegates discussed key priorities including sustainable transport, investment in sport and leisure, and the ongoing need for affordable housing and healthcare provision.

Mayor Roger Weeks commented: ‘Discover Gillingham Day was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the unique strengths of our town including its rich heritage and vibrant community. It also gave us the chance to engage directly with partners and stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges we face as one of the fastest growing towns in the South West.’

Town clerk Julie Hawkins added: ‘This event highlighted the importance of partnership working between local and principal authorities, alongside the business and voluntary sectors. The level of engagement and support shown by attendees was truly inspiring, and clearly demonstrated our collective ambition to make Gillingham a leading example of sustainable and inclusive development.’

Among the guests were the High Sheriff Callum Bremmer, representatives from the Arts Development Company and Active Dorset, and councillors and senior officers from Dorset Council, including the heads of planning, housing, and communications.

With strong rail and road links, a fast-growing population, and a clear vision for the future, Gillingham continues to evolve while maintaining its cherished community values, said the town council. The success of Discover Gillingham Day affirms the town’s status as a key hub for innovation, inclusivity and resilience in Dorset, it added.