Diary
JULY
Thursday 10 July 2025 (pm)
Loose Area History Society. ‘Visit to Cobham Hall.’
King George V Pavilion, Walnut Tree Lane, Maidstone ME15 9RG.
www.looseareahistorysociety.org.uk/?page_id=221
Thursday 10 July 2025 (7.30pm)
Hextable Heritage Society. ‘The vindication of Xmas in north Kent during the Civil War.
The Heritage Centre, off Crawfords, Dawson Drive, Hextable, BR8 7PL.
Friday 11 July 2025
Kent Family History Society. ‘Outdoor meeting’
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2UA.
Saturday 12 July 2025 (10.00am)
Maidstone Museum ‘Exhibition - Titanic Honour & Glory.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Monday 14 July 2025 (1.00pm)
Kent Archives. ‘Kent Mental Deficiency Institutions during World War 2, Kara Greig.
Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ. archives@kent.gov.uk
Monday 14 July 2025 (7.00pm)
New Romney History Society. ‘Visit to Winchelsea Wine Cellars.’
The Town Well, Castle Street, Winchelsea, East Sussex, TN36 4HU. NRHistorySociety@outlook.com
Sunday 15 July 2025 (7.30pm)
Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne. ‘A study of local finds, Andy Ward (KAS)’
Lympne Village Hall, Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LE. fionajarvest1@gmail.com
Thursday 17 July 2025 (10.30am)
Shorne Woods Archaeology Group.
‘Excavations for the Festival of Archaeology – Target: Second World War Army training camp.’
Shorne Woods Country Park Brewers Road, Shorne, DA12 3HX. swagkent2023@gmail.com
Thursday 17 July 2025 (6.45pm)
Smarden Local History Society. ‘How did it come to this? Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire”, Alex Ferris.’
Thursday 17 July 2025 (7.30pm)
Dymchurch and District Heritage Group. ‘Eking out the rations, Judi Knight.’
The Methodist Church, High Street, Dymchurch, Kent. dymchurchheritagegroup@gmail.com
Smarden Charter Hall, Chessenden Ln, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8NF. smardenheritagecentre@gmail.com
Thursday 17 July 2025 (7.00pm)
Kent Archaeological Society. ‘Step in the right direction – further discoveries of the Lympne Lamp, Isabelle Diggle.’
Online via Zoom craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Thursday 17 July 2025 (7.30pm) Dymchurch and District Heritage Group. ‘Eking out the rations, Judi Knight.’
The Methodist Church, High Street, Dymchurch, Kent. dymchurchheritagegroup@gmail.com
Saturday 19 July 2025 (10.30am)
Borden Heritage Group.
‘Exhibition and game at Borden Fete.’
Borden Parish Hall, School Ln, Borden, Sittingbourne ME9 8JS.
Sunday 20 July 2025 (11.00am-12.30pm & 1.30-4.00pm) Orpington and District Archaeological Society. Guided tours of Fordcroft Romano-British Bathhouse and Anglo-Saxon Cemetery.
St Mary Cray BR5 2DH.
Free entry donations welcome. www.odas.org.uk
Sunday 20 July 2025 (4.30pm)
Canterbury Cathedral. ‘An archaeology of bones and burials: Exploring life and death from human skeletal remains, Dr Ellie Williams.’
AV Studio, Cathedral Lodge, The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH.
enquiries@canterbury-cathedral.org
Monday 21 July 2025 (2.00pm)
Brenzett and District History Group.
‘Romney Marsh & Its Churches including St Eanswith’s Brenzett, Nick Hudd.’
Brenzett Church, Brenzett, Romney Marsh TN29 0BJ. sarahbav@hotmail.co.uk
Wednesday 23 July 2025 (2.30pm)
Brenzett and District History Group.
‘Visit to Cranbrook Mill, Sarah Baverstock.’
Cranbrook Mill, Russells Yard, Cranbrook TN17 3AH. sarahbav@hotmail.co.uk
Wednesday 23 July 2025 (7.00pm)
Stanford and Westenhangar History Society. ‘Social History of Stanford.’
Stanford Parish Room, Westenhanger, Kent, United Kingdom. www.stanfordhistorykent.org.uk/contacts/
Thursday 24 July 2025 (7.00pm)
Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust. ‘Outside the Walls: An Update on Canterbury’s Late Roman Dead. Lisa Duffy.’
CCCU Campus, LG16, Laud Building, Ground Floor. www.canterburytrust.co.uk/fcat
Friday 25 July 2025 (7.30pm)
Otford 1940’s Society. ‘Windrush, settlement, citizenship and belonging, Dr John Price.’
Otford Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, Kent, TN14 5PQ. Otford@1940.co.uk
Friday 25 July 2025 (11.00am)
Maidstone Museum. ‘Archaeology Workshop for Kids with Dr Digby Rocks.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Saturday 26 July 2025 (10.30am)
Shorne Woods Archaeology Group. ‘Excavations for the Festival of Archaeology – Target: Unknown 20th century structure and possible pre-historic flint scatter.’
Trosley Country Park, DA13 0SG. swagkent2023@gmail.com
Saturday 26 July 2025 (10.00am)
Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
‘East Wear Bay End of Season Open Day.’
www.canterburytrust.co.uk/east-wear-bay
Monday 28 July 2025 (6.30pm)
Tenterden and District Local History Society. ‘WW2 Unique Film Night.’
Highbury Hall, TN30 6LE. sec.tdlhs@gmail.com
Tuesday 29 July 2025 (7.30pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘Open branch meeting, Ashford Branch.’
Willesborough Windmill, Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0QG.
Tuesday 29 July 2025 (7.15pm)
Sheppey Local History Society. ‘Sheerness Dockyard, Janys Thornton.’
Minster Working Men’s Club, adjacent to the Gatehouse Museum, Union Road, Minster, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 2HW.
Wednesday 30 July 2025 (7.15pm)
Sheppey Local History Society.
‘The History of Sheerness Docks and the Great Quadrangle Store. Janys Thornton & Andrew Byrne’
Sheerness Dockyard Church minstergatehouse@gmail.com
Wednesday 30 July 2025 (6.30pm)
Canterbury Cathedral. ‘Prior Wibert’s Waterworks Plan, Paul Bennett, Cressida Williams.’
AV Studio, Cathedral Lodge, The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH.
enquiries@canterbury-cathedral.org
Thursday 31 July 2025 (1.30pm)
Kent Family History Society. ‘Open discussion group meeting, Medway Discussion Group.’
St Nicholas Church Hall, (behind the church), High Street, Rochester, Kent ME2 4UB.
AUGUST
Friday 1 August 2025 (7.45pm)
Fawkham & District Historical Society. ‘Medway Queen in WW2, Mr & Mrs Bathurst.’
Fawkham & Hartley Church Centre, Ash Road, Hartley, DA3 8DB.
Friday 1 August 2025 (6.30pm)
Canterbury Cathedral. ‘Surveying the Sacred: Thoughts on Antiquarianism, Inspiration and the Power of the Past, Rev Dr Leslie Hardy.’
AV Studio, Cathedral Lodge, The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH.
enquiries@canterbury-cathedral.org
Saturday 2 August 2025 (10.00am)
Maidstone Museum. ‘Festival of Archaeology.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Sunday 3 August 2025 (10.00am)
Kent Family History Society.
‘My Ancestor was a Liar, Dave Annal.’
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2UA.
Wednesday 6 August 2025 (8.00pm)
Orpington and District Archaeological society. ‘Bartman goes global! How German stoneware travelled around the known world in the 16th and 17th centuries. Jacqui Pearce’.
Online via zoom. www.odas.org.uk
Wednesday 6 August 2025 (7.00pm)
Swanley History Group.
‘The Hop Bine and Hop Pickers of Kent, Chris Stewart.’
The Alexandra Suite, St. Mary’s Road, Swanley, BR8 7BU. swanleyhistorygroup@hotmail.co.uk
Wednesday 6 August 2025 (7.30pm)
Folkestone and District Local History Society. ‘Susan Spain Dunk F.R.A.M.: Folkestone’s Promenade Conductor & Composer, David Gibson’
The Holy Trinity Church Hall, Sandgate Road, CT20 2HQ. halloweenvince@aol.com
Thursday 7 August 2025 (7.00pm)
Folkestone & District, Family History Society. ‘Interactive discussion, Group Discussion.’
Church Hall of All Souls Church, Somerset Road, Cheriton, Folkestone, CT19 4HA.
Friday 8 August 2025 (19.15pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘“All flirtations and curates”: selling the seaside to railway readers, Prof. Carolyn Oulton.’
Online via Zoom. secretary@kfhs.org.uk
Friday 8 August 2025 (11.00am)
Maidstone Museum. ‘Curator Insights: Re-developing the Local History Gallery, Samantha Harris.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH.
Saturday 23 - Monday 25 August 2025 (10.30am)
Hever Castle. ‘Hever in History 2025’.
Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG. info@hevercastle.co.uk
Monday 25 August 2025 (12.00pm) Otford and District Historical Society. ‘The Otford Great Village BBQ.’
Otford Memorial Hall, 28A High St, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5PQ.
enquiries@otfordsociety.org.uk
museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Wednesday 13 August 2025 (am)
Borden Heritage Group.
‘Visit Blue Town Criterion theatre and or museum.’
Borden, Sittingbourne ME9 8JS. wrens_eileen@hotmail.com
Wednesday 13 August 2025 (7.00pm)
Meopham Historical Society.
‘79 Squadron Diary – the daily activities and Jolly japes of a fighter squadron at war - Aden Lane.’
The St John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham, Kent DA13 0AA.
chairman@meophamhistorical.org.uk
Monday 18 August 2025 (pm)
New Romney History Society.
‘Walk through St Nicholas Church Yard’
St Nicholas Church, Church Ln, New Romney TN28 8EU. NRHistorySociety@outlook.com
Thursday 21st August 2025 (7.00pm)
Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
‘What have the Romans ever done for us? Assessing impact of Roman occupation on Britain through mother and infant health. Rebecca Pitt.’
CCCU Campus, LG16, Laud Building, Ground Floor. www.canterburytrust.co.uk/fcat
Saturday 23 - Monday 25 August 2025 (9.00am)
Military Odyssey
The Kent Show Ground, Maidstone ME14 3JF. www.militaryodyssey.com
SEPTEMBER
Monday 1 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Woodchurch Local Historical Society. ‘The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker, Josie Mackie.’
Woodchurch Memorial Hall, The Green, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3PF.
Tuesday 2 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Lamorbey and Sidcup Local History Society. ‘Gravesham Ancient Parishes, Christoph Bull.’
St Lawrence’s Community Hall, Hamilton Road, Sidcup. enquiries@lam-sid-lhs.co.uk
Tuesday 2 September 2025 (7.30pm) Lympne Airfield History Society. ‘Talk TBA - Speaker TBA’
Lympne Church, Castle Cl, Lympne CT21 4LQ. www.facebook.com/groups/592481448837653/
Tuesday 2 September 2025 (8.00pm) Kent Family History Society. ‘Hopping in Kent, Sue Duckworth.’
Online via Zoom. secretary@kfhs.org.uk
Tuesday 2 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Lyminge Historical Society.
‘Engineering Richborough. Colin Varrall.’
The Tayne Centre, at the rear of the Methodist Church, Church Road. Lyminge, CT18 8JA.
lymingehistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Wednesday 2 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Folkestone and District Local History Society. ‘Excavating Queen Ethelburga’s Church: The Pathways To The Past Project in Lyminge, Rob Baldwin.’
The Holy Trinity Church Hall, Sandgate Road, CT20 2HQ. halloweenvince@aol.com
Thursday 4 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Margate Civic Society.
‘Castles of the Downs, Jenny Wall.’
Holy Trinity Church Hall, St Mary’s Avenue, Margate CT9 3TN.
enquiries@margatecivicsociety.org.uk
Thursday 4 September 2025 (7.25pm) Folkestone & District, Family History Society. ‘Old Romney, David Burgess.’
Online via Zoom. webmaster@folkfhs.org.uk
Friday 4 September 2025 (7.45pm)
Fawkham & District Historical Society. ‘The Watkins Family and Ship Towage on the Thames, Ian Craig.’
Fawkham & Hartley Church Centre, Ash Road, Hartley, DA3 8DB.
Saturday 6 September 2025 (7.00pm)
Queensborough Society, ‘General Meeting.’
The Guildhall, High Street, Queenborough, Kent, ME11 5AA. info@queenboroughsociety.org.uk
Monday 8 September 2025 (1.00pm)
Kent Archives. ‘Dover: The Port before the Ferry Terminal, Tim Reardon.’
Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ. archives@kent.gov.uk
Tuesday 9 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘Domesday to Suffragettes, Suzanne Green.’
The Cleary Room, The Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6BB.
Tuesday 9 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Maidstone Area Archaeological Group.
‘Lullingstone Villa excavation update, Dr. Anne Sassin.’
Maidstone Community Support Centre, Marsham Street, Maidstone, ME14 1HH.
In hall and online via Zoom. maag.arch.info@gmail.com
Tuesday 9 September 2025 (8.00pm)
Plaxtol Local History Group.
‘The History of Firefighting in Kent, Howard Myers.’
Plaxtol Memorial Hall, School Lane, Plaxtol, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0QD.
www.plaxtollocalhistory.wordpress.com/talks-visits
Wednesday 10 September 2025 (7.05pm)
Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society. Monks behaving badly, the extraordinary story of Peter de Dene and St Augustine’s Abbey, Steve O’Hanlon.’
St Paul’s Church, CT1 1NH. chas.membership@gmail.com
Wednesday 10 September 2025 (10.30am)
Borden Heritage Group. ‘Elizabeth Barton-The Maid of Kent, Melanie Gibson Barton’.
Borden Parish Hall, School Ln, Borden, Sittingbourne ME9 8JS.
Wednesday 10 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘Open Evening – Various Activities.’
St. Paul’s Church Hall, Boxley Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2AN.
Wednesday 10 September 2025 (7.00pm)
Meopham Historical Society.
‘Changing Rooms: Interiors through the ages, Peter Batty.’
The St John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham, Kent DA13 0AA.
chairman@meophamhistorical.org.uk
Wednesday 10 September 2025 (7.00pm) Maidstone Museum. ‘The History of Witchcraft in Maidstone, Claire Kehily.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Thursday 11 September 2025 (7.00pm)
Maidstone Museum. ‘The History of Maidstone’s Historic Buildings, Janice Gooch.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Thursday 11 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.
‘The Keys to the Kingdom: Dover Castle. Roy Porter.’
Christ Church, High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UT. enquiries@thecivicsociety.org
Thursday 11 September 2025 (7.30pm) Hextable Heritage Society. ‘Chislehurst Caves. Rod LeGear.’
The Heritage Centre, off Crawfords, Dawson Drive, Hextable, BR8 7PL.
Friday 12 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Farningham and Eynsford Local History Society. ‘Excavations on Harrow Meadow, James Holman.’
Farningham Village Hall, High St, Farningham, Dartford DA4 0DH.
Friday 12 September 2025 (7.15pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘Members’ Social Evening and Kentish Quiz.’
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2UA.
Friday 12 September 2025 (7.30pm) Shoreham and District Historical Society. ‘The History of Maps, David Carder.’
Shoreham Village Hall, High Street. www.shorehamkenthistory.weebly.com
Friday 12 - Sunday 21 September 2025 (pm)
Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. Heritage Open Days in and around Tunbridge Wells.’
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 enquiries@thecivicsociety.org
Saturday 13 September 2025 (7.00pm)
Maidstone Museum. ‘The History of Paper-Making in Maidstone, Maureen Green.’
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
Saturday 13 September 2025 (2.00pm)
Margate Civic Society.
‘Town Walk, High Street and St John’s Church.’
Droit House, Stone Pier, Margate, Kent, CT9 1JD. enquiries@margatecivicsociety.org.uk
Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 September 2025 (2.00pm) Orpington and District Archaeological Society. ‘Scadbury Manor Open Weekend.’
Scadbury Park, Chislehurst, Bromley, where the estate footpath passes the moated path.
Monday 15 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Halling Historical Society. ‘Medway Women: Murder, Medicine and Music, Helen Worthy.’
Jubilee Hall, Browndens Road, Upper Halling, ME2 1JH. hallinghistoricalsocprogsec@gmail.com
Monday 15 September 2025 (8.00pm)
Leigh Historical Society. ‘Smallhythe and its shipbuilding industry. Nathalie Cohen.’
Leigh Small Village Hall, High St, Leigh, Halls TN11 8RL. www.leighhistorical.org.uk/about-us
Tuesday 16 September 2025 (pm)
Studying History and Archaeology in Lympne. ‘The kingdom of Kent’, Andy Linklater (CAT)’
Lympne Village Hall, Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LE. fionajarvest1@gmail.com
Wednesday 17 September 2025 (8.00pm) Otford and District Historical Society. ‘Hop Picking in Kent, Chris Levett.’
Otford Memorial Hall, 28A High St, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5PQ.
enquiries@otfordsociety.org.uk
Thursday 18 September 2025 (7.00pm)
Kent Archaeological Society. ‘Pitt-Rivers in Kent: musketry and excavations, Prof Dan Hicks.’
Online on Zoom. craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Thursday 18 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Bridge and District Historical Society. ‘The Life and
Saturday 20 - Sunday 21 September 2025 (am)
Historic Dockyard, Chatham. ‘Salute to the ‘40s.’
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, England, ME4 4LJ. www.hugofox.com/community/chatham-dockyard-
historical-society-20332/home/
Monday 22 September 2025 (7.00pm) New Romney History Society. ‘Roman Canterbury, Frances Ely.’
St Nicholas Church, Church Ln, New Romney TN28 8EU. NRHistorySociety@outlook.com
Tuesday 23 September 2025 (7.30 pm)
Hadlow Historical Society.
‘Chaucer’s Medieval Pilgrims’ Martin Crowther.
St. Mary’s Church, Church Street, Hadlow TN11 0DJ. hadlowhistory@gmail.com
Death of Amy Johnson, Jane Delamaine.’
Bridge Village Hall, 28 High St, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5JZ. info@bridgehistory.org.uk
Thursday 18 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Smarden Local History Society.
‘Ashford’s Worst Day, The 1943 Bombing. Ed Adams.’
The Charter Hall, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8NF. smardenheritagecentre@gmail.com
Thursday 18 September 2025 (7.30pm) Brenchley and Matfield Local History Society. ‘Hop Farming in Kent, Chris Levett.’
Tuesday 23 September 2025 (2.00pm)
Sevenoaks Society. ‘A Private Tour of Godinton House and Gardens, near Ashford.’
Godinton House and Gardens, Godinton Ln, Ashford TN23 3BP. charlesrgeorge@outlook.com
Wednesday 24 September 2025 (6.30pm) Stanford and Westenhangar History Society. ‘Researching the History of your Home, Nathan Goodwin.’
Stanford Parish Room, Westenhanger, Kent, UK www.stanfordhistorykent.org.uk/contacts/
Village Hall, Matfield, Tonbridge TN12 7LW.
Thursday 25 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Lenham Heritage Society. ‘Sarah Baker and her Kentish Theatres 1737-1816. Dr. Jean Baker.
Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, England, ME17 2QT. www.heritagelenham.co.uk
Thursday 25 September 2025 (pm)
Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust. ‘From Roman Forts to Viking Mints: Treasures that Changed the Rules, Isabelle Diggle.’
CCCU Campus, LG16, Laud Building, Ground Floor. www.canterburytrust.co.uk/fcat
Thursday 25 September 2025 (1.30pm)
Kent Family History Society. ‘Open discussion group meeting.’
St Nicholas Church Hall, (behind the church), High Street,
Saturday 27 September 2025 (11.00am)
Appledore Local History Society.
‘Open Day with a focus on Appledore School.’
The Village Hall, Appledore Ashford TN26 2AF. thrkng@aol.com
Monday 29 September (6.30pm)
Tenterden and District Local History Society. ‘The Anglo-Saxons, Dr Marc Morris.’
Highbury Hall, Kent TN30 6LE. sec.tdlhs@gmail.com
Rochester, Kent ME2 4UB.
Friday 25 September 2025 (7.30pm)
Otford 1940’s Society.
‘The Stalin Affair – The remarkable story of the Allies’ secret mission to wartime Moscow, Giles Milton.’
Otford Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, Kent, TN14 5PQ. Otford@1940.co.uk
Tuesday 30 September 2025 (1.30pm)
Kent Family History Society.
‘The Kentish Tithe Wars in the 1930s, Dr John Bulaitis.’
Willesborough Windmill, Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0QG. secretary@kfhs.org.uk
For regular updates and online access to the diary, check the Kent Archaeological Website here:
84 Kent Archaeological Society
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events
CBA
FESTIVAL OF
ARCHAE
OLOGY
2025