Sittingbourne History, 1890 to 2012. A photo-animation projected by Colin Harvey that captured historical images from the Sittingbourne. Telling the story of Sittingbourne from a small coaching and Market Town, to the worlds largest paper producer. Report due to be posted.
Saturday 11 May
Guided Walk at Oare Marshes: We arranged with bird-expert Bob Gomes (RSPB) to visit this important Kent Wildlife Trust bird sanctuary and migration ‘stop over’. The freshwater scrapes were alive with a wide variety of aquatic and reed-living birds. The tide was on the turn and brought waders closer in-shore, giving every opportunity to spot and identify wetland and foreshore birds, including warblers. The weather was dry enough to make the walk very easy. We met up at the small Harty Ferry Reserve car-park.
22 May
8.00pm: Presentation on raptors and hawking given by the Hawking Centre (who operate from Doddington Place). We hope also to have an owl on show during the evening! This will be a good opportunity to understan more about the behaviour of raptors (birds of prey). Entrance: Members free; non-members £3.00. Venue: Norton Village Hall.
25 May
May be of interest to our Members and others. 7.30pm: “First World War Diaries of Sister Edith Appleton”, a nurse’s recollections - an illustrated talk by Edie’s great nephew, Dick Robinson. Addelham History Research Group invites you to a talk in Deal Town Hall. Entrance: £3 per ticket. Doors and exhibition open at 7pm. This presentation was drawn to our attention through our association with East Kent History.
3rd June
Traditional Flower Meadow in Sussex. This will be the third guided visit by popular demand to see a rare, unspoilt chalk meadowland. Our lead guide will be Keith Dachler who knows the habitat in great detail. Please contact our Chairman, Neil Anderson (886198), if you want to join this event so we can be sure we have the right number of guides to allow groups to remain intimately small. Free to all.
Saturday 8 June
2.00 pm onwards. Chairman’s Wildlife & Farm Open Day:Open to Members and non-Members. No entrance fee. Neil Anderson will host a series of speakers, demonstrations and displays on his farm - including experts on birds, flowers, and mammals (including dormice). There will be opportunities for gentle guided walks to enjoy the many varied aspects of mixed farmland and woodland. This will be combined with home-made cakes/refreshments and relaxation starting at around 4.00pm. A great family day out to which all are welcome. Venue:Neil and Jenny’s farm in Kingsdown. Free to all. Poster
Talk about the Overseas Development Agency and its work.
SOCIETY MEMBER IDEAS FOR FUTURE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
HMS Victory - in due course
Study of Moths - Trapping for identification (and releasing, of course).
History of the Hop Industry in Kent. (Seek speaker from Museum of Kent Life and/or Shepherd Neame?
Rural Craft Fair - perhaps including and invitation to local craftspeople to demonstrate and sell their wares?
Astronomy evening - are there any members or their friends that could help arrange this? Is light pollution in our parish too severe for astronomy? Even without practical demonstrations, are there any good speakers to help us make sense of our skies? We have found some interesting websites, but a speaker would be better!
Tree Dressing.
History of Chatham Dockyard
Visit to Archbishop’s Palace, Charing
Poetry reading (in the Church) - presentation by one experienced reader or people bring their own favourites.
“Reading your church” (Lynsted)
Ancient Agricultural Buildings
Potential ideas gleaned from the Kent History Federation List
History of Pub Signs (Donation to Kent Air Ambulance)
Kent Ghosts
Kent Agriculture
Windmills of Kent - we have the remains of one in Lynsted Village!
The Rural Scene after 1740
Kent at War
50 Years of Rescue Work across Kent
RESEARCH IDEAS
Social history gleaned from your records and recollections - now an important project for our Society with the help of many individuals with family connections to the Parish and its surrounding communities.
Wildlife Monitoring - e.g. bats; fungi; lichens; birds.
Research Barns and agricultural buildings
Historical Survey of Greenstreet - census-based
If you have other ideas for speakers, events and research Please contact us
