Kent Societies
We are very fortunate to be a county brimming with incredible heritage groups. I am keen to spread the word about these groups and promote them throughout my editorial residency.
It would be impossible to include all the groups at once, but this will be a regular segment. Over the upcoming editions, I shall include all Kent based heritage groups who contact me. If you wish to promote your group, email me at: craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk
The 1940’s Society
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The society was established to encourage interest centred around the decade of the 1940s and holds regular bi-monthly (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov) meetings in Otford, Kent.
The meetings are popular, informative, friendly, well attended and include refreshments. Topics include all types of history relating to the 1940s including military, social, economic, and political, a wide range of different aspects of the 1940s, from Burma to the Blitz, and Colditz to the Canadian Navy. Some, but by no means all, are related to local history.
Meetings start at 7.30 p.m.
Otford Village Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, TN14 5PQ
www.otfordsociety.org.uk/ about-us/ourevents
The Brenzett & District Local History Society
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The Brenzett and District Local History Society are a small friendly, thriving group that meet at French House on the 3rd Monday of each month. The society have public talks twice a year in the Village Hall and go on outings in the summer. The group have an annual Christmas gathering and a summer meet up/History Day with talks and displays, books, maps, documents, artefacts etc. The society welcome contact from those who have knowledge of the nearby villages - Brenzett, Brookland, Fairfield, Snargate and Snave, and local families, similar groups in the area and the surrounding areas of Romney Marsh.
BDHG are not only renowned for their relaxed and comfortable monthly meetings, but also for the delicious refreshments served up on every possible occasion, many of the members honed their baking skills at the Brenzett W.I.!
www.facebook.com/groups/ 529057406386558/
I hope this may open the door for many people to join local groups and discover fascinating people with similar interests.
The Gravesham Heritage Forum
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The Gravesham Heritage Forum (GHF) whose ethos and aims are to promote and support the undoubted Heritage of Gravesham and of the great county of Kent formerly known as the `Kingdom of Kent`. To this end the GHF has been initiated by Peter Torode which includes experts who can offer a high level of accreditation to meet the objectives & aims outlined above, these include Victor Smith and Christoph Bull who are well known in the field of heritage with other associated members. Details of the core members are as follows :
Peter Torode
CEO of Consilium Dare & Chair of the GHF
Christoph BULL
BA ( Hons ), ALA, MCLIP
Gravesham and Dartford Local Historian, Speaker & Tour Guide Mace Bearer to the Mayor of Gravesham Studied Art & Graphic Design and has obtained Sales & Marketing qualifications. Peter has been in Sales & Marketing for over 50 yrs and was Senior Accounts Manager for Cadburys / Trebor responsible for at one time £20 million in Invoiced sales and has held directorships in European operations within the EU in countries such as Belgium, Holland, France & Germany.
07827 – 88 54 53
07702 - 28 71 47
www.christophbull.co.uk christoph.bull@talktalk.net
Victor SMITH ( Hons ) B.A., F.S.A.
Historian & Surveyor, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries Historian specialising in the research, recording, restoration, presentation and publication of military and civil defences.
GHF have delivered on various projects and can offer advice and practical solutions in the pursuit of maintaining and promoting our wonderful Kent Heritage including interpretational signage and other practical cost -effective ideas.
References from previous clients are available on request.
01474 - 32 34 15
The Farningham & Eynsford Local History Society
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The Society was formed in 1985 by a small group of enthusiasts anxious to research and preserve the history of their locality before it was lost. The Society rapidly grew to about 100 members. Its area of interest covers the ancient parishes of Eynsford (including Crockenhill), Farningham and Lullingstone, and also Maplescombe.
either originals or copies of any physical record of the activities of the inhabitants of the area. To hold meetings for the presentation and discussion of historical topics, display of documentary and other materials.
The purposes of the Society is to carry out historical studies on the local area, from documents and oral sources, and on the ground. To publish the results of the above studies. To collect and preserve
The society hold regular meetings with talks on a variety of topics. Most meetings are held at Farningham Village Hall, High St, Farningham, Dartford DA4 0DH, from 7.30pm.
The Goudhurst & Kilndown Local History Society
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In July 1964 the Goudhurst & Kilndown Local History Society was formed, following in the footsteps of the former Goudhurst Village History Society that was inaugurated in 1934 and ceased only with the onset of the Second World War.
The society provides monthly illustrated talks for its members. Professional speakers and the society’s own members cover subjects ranging from the purely local, to broader historical subjects, mainly from Kent. It holds an archive of books, slides, photographs, postcards, maps and other material, together with a small number of interesting artefacts. As well as expanding this archive by carrying out new research, the society are also able to help people seeking information on local families and the history of the parish.
The society publishes a short newsletter for members three times a year, and contributes the monthly article “Village Echoes” to the parish magazine.
All meetings held in the Goudhurst Club on the first Tuesday of the month unless otherwise stated. Doors open at 7.15pm and meetings start at 7.30pm.
www.goudhurstlocalhistorysociety.org/
help@goudhurstlocalhistorysociety.org
The Kent Family History Society
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Established in 1974, KFHS are the largest and oldest family history society in Kent. The society has over fifty years of experience in helping and supporting a worldwide membership with Kent family history research.
The society publishes a quarterly journal, monthly email newsletter as well as regular online news and articles. In addition, the website provides access to unique Kent based datasets not available elsewhere, including wills, local business and education records, to name just a few.
Regular meetings and events are hosted by branches across Kent. Membership is available to all who have an interest in Kent Family History. The monthly email newsletter, members interests database, online forums and events provide opportunities to connect with other members across the globe.
Maidstone Area Archaeological Group
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Maidstone Area Archaeological Group (MAAG) is a registered charity (No. 275899), funded by membership fees and donations. The group were founded in 1969 in order to promote archaeological research in the Maidstone area, co-ordinate archaeological research and to publish the results of such research.
MAAG activities include excavations at East Farleigh and East Malling, fieldwork and other practical projects, and indoor meetings at the Maidstone Community Support Centre in Marsham Street, Maidstone, with talks on a variety of archaeological and historical subjects.
The group provide newsletters and offer occasional outings to places of archaeological or historic interest. MAAG are affiliated to the Kent Archaeological Society (KAS) and the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), and work closely with the County Archaeologist.
MAAG welcome new members: beginners and experienced alike.
The New Folkestone Society
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The New Folkestone Society (NFS) was founded in 1974 as a civic society for Folkestone, following the dissolution of the Folkestone Society. The Society has been registered as a charity in England and Wales, number 270922, since 1976.
talks, lectures, social events and excursions, as well as the occasional practical project. From time to time reports are produced highlighting topics of local concern.
The Society exists to foster an awareness of the local environment and amenities and to encourage their conservation and enhancement. It is a non-political organisation with membership open to everyone who shares a desire to make Folkestone a more attractive town in which to live and work. NFS offer a range of activities,
The society and charity covers Folkestone, Cheriton and Morehall to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area of benefit.
Contact: www.newfolkestonesociety.org.uk/contact-us/
Orpington and District Archaeological Society
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Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS) is an active local archaeology volunteer group with headquarters at Scadbury Park, The society was founded in 1975 by local enthusiasts who, having helped the Curator of the Bromley Museum excavate the Roman Bath House and Anglo-Saxon cemetery in St. Mary Cray, realised the importance of investigation and recording of archaeology in the Upper Cray Valley. The society holds monthly meetings for members, which include a varied programme of lectures on archaeological research and local history. There are also social events and visits to local sites and museums.
ODAS promotes the study of archaeology in the local area by undertaking excavations, carrying out research and encouraging public interest through meetings and visits.
There is a regular programme of digging and finds processing and opportunities to participate in field surveys, documentary research and analysis for post-excavation publication.
Members receive a copy of ODAS’s quarterly journal Archives, reports on finds and research, articles on history and archaeology, and our monthly lecture programme.
Tonbridge Historical Society
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The Tonbridge Historical Society was founded in 1960 to provide a focus for locals with historical interests. It is concerned with national history and archaeology, as well as the history of Kent and the local area. New members are welcome.
A programme of lectures by invited speakers runs through the winter months. Meetings take place in the Riverside Room in the Angel Centre, Tonbridge, TN9 1SF usually on Thursday evenings. In addition there is an afternoon meeting, with tea, on a Saturday in November.
The society’s Research Group explores org.uk varied aspects of the history of the town and its inhabitants, and has produced six publications.
A twice-yearly Newsletter is published with Society news, information, articles and pictures relating to the history of Tonbridge. The society also maintains extensive collections of archives and pictorial material, and is starting to build a collection of three-dimensional artefacts.
www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/ths/thshome.htm