"Trip Advisor tried to silence this resident!!

‘Watt(s)’ the Dick’ens is going on at the poor travellers’ house (6PTH) again - I hear you ask once more!

The newly appointed misguided CEO, employed for such a short time (Oh WATT! an error in judgment on the part of those Trustees it would seem), made the decision to put MONEY before history and charity – that’s Watt! Well, he has clearly misjudged the mood of this resident, Rochester and beyond.

So that’s Watt it took, is it? - just £2,300 monthly rent – Watt can only be alluded to as the charity’s very own 30 pieces of silver - for selling out Medway residents, the wider public and many 1000s of tourists which was clearly against the intentions of Master Richard Watts: for Mankind was [his] business. The common welfare was [his] business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all [his] business!

This fascinating alms house situated in ‘The silent High Street…’ ‘in the ancient little city of Rochester in Kent’ visibly inscribed, inter alia, in the annals of history and immortalised in Dickens’ very own short story ‘The 7 Poor Travellers’ now finds itself nothing more than part of a money making scheme.

I’m certain that in the original gift of the residue of his estate Mr Watts, himself, would not permit his house to be privately rented,
since it clearly flies in the face of everything we have been led to understand Watts, himself, believed in - I feel sure that this was not what was meant by either the spirit [or] the intentions of this remarkable philanthropist!

How do the Trustees acknowledge the Watts legacy and all the benefits they have reaped from trading on their long standing affiliation with the fame and enduring popularity of the author Charles Dickens? By Watt can only best be described as one of the worst decisions ever made i.e. to deny visitors/ travellers and tourists alike from all across Europe and beyond, access to one of the last hugely important vestiges of 16th Century Rochester – and all without warning!

Watt would Dickens make of it being a Traveller myself, though an idle one…?

The Charity clearly no longer continues to exhibit the tradition of the house founder Master Richard Watts.
Watt does the Watts Charity do? Instead of using its vast influence in lobbying Medway Council to bring back the world renowned summer Dickens festival, its Trustees appear to be content just to grasp the money the rental opportunity has afforded it.

Moreover, Watt guarantee do visitors have that the renters will exuberate the love, knowledge and history of this place, which was so evidently expressed by the previous Custodians – Elizabeth et al; whose vast knowledge, warmth and charm exhibited its heritage, knowledge abounded, who not only fed my own interest, but from whom I learnt so much.

‘Watt’ more can a 21st century traveller passing through Medway ask for?
It can ask, no DEMAND, access to the Tudor property on more than just the high days and holidays, especially given the fact that Rochester is left with only the wonderful Sweeps! 3-day festival in May, since Dickens’ festivals are no more.

Watt was once a physic garden, full of medicinal plants, has been ruthlessly hacked back – and restricted to private use only.
So cutting back the plants, which were all evidently a labour of love, for there’s a spirit here which clearly manifests itself through abundance! It’s a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern day life was yet another mistake made by the Trustees.

SHAME ON YOU TRUSTEES - firstly, for approving such a monstrous decision and secondly, for removing the most enthusiastic custodians I have had the benefit of encountering at any historic sight.

The great man, himself, would no doubt be spinning in his grave!

I urge all visitors to the 6PTH NOT to step over its threshold until the Trustees have come to their senses!

Shame on you trustees!

Shame on you!"

Neomae Bell

"What a wonderful place to visit on Rochester High Street! You wouldn't even know this place was there, but it's not to be missed if you're visiting Rochester. Liz was great, she talked us through the whole history of the house and its actually very interesting (coming from someone who's not really interested in history). The building is listed and so has a lot of original features, there is a lot to learn and look at here, highly recommended."

Belinda Richards

"I always thought I knew Rochester well, but had more to learn visiting the Six Poor Traveller house, completely fortuitously today. The lady curator who welcomed us was friendly and a fount of knowledge on the house and old Rochester as well. The house is now a well informed museum on the charity that runs it, going right back to its founding by the dockyard victualler Richard Watts. This lovely old stone building is well kept and clean and describes the origin and meaning of poor travellers and how the charity catered for them. Their snug bedrooms are shown as well as their communal meeting rooms and washing facilities.At the back is a beautifully kept herbal garden where you can sit. We think of the past as harsh and unforgiving, but when you see the current few homeless on Rochesters high street it makes you wonder if the past wasn't more forgiving than we like to think. Do visit this interesting house and take in its wonderful atmosphere and karma."

Malcolm Taylor