Medway has been branded a "barren wasteland" populated by "proles" in a controversial survival guide for freshers.

The Towns are described as "a grey, dirty, ugly, spot on Kent's rosy arse" and the home of chavs in a special edition of Medwire magazine for new students.

Tom Rowse, 20, said new recruits might feel like they are in "Pompeii right after the volcano" in an article entitled Welcome to Medway.

The second-year journalism student's views feature alongside instructions for a drinking game, freshers' party schedule and a free shot voucher in a magazine distributed to hundreds of students at the Universities at Medway in Chatham Maritime.

Mr Rowse described parks as "syringe-choked" and a trip to Rochester's Casino Rooms as a "chance to observe the local wildlife engage in their baffling and sometimes violent mating rituals".

a spokesman said primark and tk maxx in chatham high street are among the attractions for students – alongside a long list of festivals and historical venues.
the spokesman said: “medway is a great place to study and can offer students a diverse and exciting base for the duration of their courses.
“there’s something for everyone – history, culture, shopping, nightlife, leisure and sport. next year is a great year to be based in medway because it’s a year of celebrations and all students are encouraged to get involved in all the things this vibrant area has to offer.”

'great place to study'

you might not think discount retailers are a big draw, but medway council has highlighted them as one of the reasons the towns are a “great place to study”.

she also listed medway park, rochester high street’s nightlife and boutiques as well as shops, restaurants and cinema in chatham maritime.

"Being brutally honest," he added, "Medway isn't winning too many cultural awards. It's the home of the chav and walking down Gillingham High Street, well... you can tell."

Originally from Canterbury, Mr Rowse spent his first year at the University of Kent at Medway in student accommodation at Liberty Quays, but now lives in St Mary's Road, Gillingham.

He said: "No offence was intended - it's a tongue-in-cheek but honest look at Medway, a place I've grown to love. I wasn't out to slate the area. It's been met with quite a few laughs."

Having spent a year in Medway, Mr Rowse conceded in his article the area "isn't that bad".

"Fun can be found where ever you look if you look hard enough, and Medway is no different," he wrote. "While you're in your first week, Medway may well seem like Pompeii right after the volcano, but by the end of the year you won't want to leave.

"Seriously, you'll be amazed at how many of us are returning for our second and third years actually missing the place. It might be a skid mark, but it's our skid mark."

Many freshers spend their first year in student accommodation in Liberty Quays, Gillingham - leading to what some describe as a "disconnection" from locals.

Mr Rowse said: "Businesses have been very slow on adapting to the student market - thankfully, that's changing. There's more and more happening for students now."

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