Community Engagement25th November 2025

Diwali at The Dockyard: A guest blog from Jay M. Patel

In this guest blog, Jay M. Patel discusses her experiences originating The Dockyard’s first Diwali celebration.

Exhibition Roots

The roots of my exhibition grow deep. It’s part of my creative vision, a collective dreaming that’s been years in the making, stemming from an idea connecting family, community and nature, that emerged in Commissioners Garden, one of my favourite places. For me, this lush sanctuary represents the living heart of The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
 
In my initial memory of The Dockyard as a child in the eighties, I remember ships & crowds waving and cheering. How could I have known back then that a nearby ‘secret garden’ planted centuries ago, would become my inspiration in 2025, for Diwali At The Dockyard, a contemporary interpretation of the Hindu Festival of Lights? 

To originate the first Diwali celebration in The Dockyard’s 400-year-old history, has proven to be an epic adventure! In navigating the waves of creative challenges presented along the way, I chose to embody the spirit of Victory & self-fund my commitment to lead the intergenerational, legacy workshops & exhibition. Collating ‘unheard stories’ from underrepresented cultural groups is part of my 23 years in intergenerational community engagement work.

Creative Responses

Our participants ranged from aged 12 to over 80 and include local British Gujarati residents who worked at The Dockyard.  We felt blessed to visit Commissioner’s Garden, explore the outdoor and indoors, and converse with knowledgeable gardeners. We met Warren and Baz in the glasshouse and discussed the gorgeous foliage and fruits – bananas, mulberries, figs, quinces, and grapes. On our return voyage to the Namur Room, I encouraged participants to create responses to the natural beauty of Commissioner’s Garden; everyone found it therapeutic to make their first clay lamp (‘diwa’) and glass paint jars. We incorporated the colours of blooms and leaves, like Fuchsia Dancing Lady, Sea Holly, Dalia Mystery, Nerine, Virginia Creeper and Witch Hazel.

 My thanks to Public Engagement Officer Victoria Mulford, who found my concept for this pilot, “intriguing”. She kindly provided administrative support, helping me to organise behind the scenes, from entry, admission and the transportation of objects on site for me to curate, to the printing and framing of my brother Neel’s professional graphic design.

As founder of Nutbot (www.nutbot.co.uk) Neel said, “It was a privilege to work alongside my sister, Jay, and support her inspiring cultural heritage project at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Seeing the photos and speaking with the elders at the private view truly brought the experience to life. Their pride, creativity, and stories, both about the Diwali workshop and their past experiences at the Dockyard, were moving. Contributing my time to design artwork and help with the exhibition felt incredibly rewarding, connecting me to my own cultural roots and the shared memories of our community. I’m proud of what we achieved together.”

Our friend (and ‘Grandad’) Norman was a Shipwright at the Dockyard; we dedicate this exhibition to his memory, to all those who worked there and who came before us. 

We appreciate Director of Public Engagement, Lynnette Crisp, for her warm welcome at the launch. Thanks also to Cllr. Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage & Leisure, & Cllr. Adam Price, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, whom I invited to speak & be part of co-creating history with us.

Gratitude to The Dockyard team and to our participants for supporting this passion project, their enthusiasm gave me the courage to keep going, especially in difficult times. Diwali At The Dockyard is a victory of light over shadow. Whilst it taken me months of hard graft without funding from any other charities or cultural organisations, the personal skills I’m developing in leadership and learning are priceless. My lesson and message going forwards is, to stay hopeful, resilient and never give up on your dreams!