Civic antique silver goes on show

The cathedral's collection dates back to the 17th century

An exhibition of antique silver belonging to the cathedral and the Huguenot hospital in Rochester has gone on show.

The collection also includes silver owned by Medway Council and can be seen at the town's Guildhall Museum.

Members of the Silver Society of Great Britain have already had a preview and are conducting research into the making of the cathedral's artefacts.

The council said that the display was the idea of councillor Susan Haydock.

Mayoral regalia

The ecclesiastical collection dates back to 1653 and is owned by the cathedral, but is on long-term loan to the museum.

Rochester's French hospital was set up in the 18th century as a place of sanctuary for French Protestant Huguenots and their descendants.

Families expelled from France, who then found shelter in England, called it 'La Providence.'

Items belonging to Medway Council date from the 19th and 20th centuries and include mayoral regalia.