Tuesday 12th May 1998 BRIDGE NOTES John Williamson Drawn from his extensive archives our local historian John will bring Bridge's past to life combining facts with anecdotes and focusing on some of the more interesting buildings and activities within and around the village. A swifl infomial Annual General Meeting will precede the talk. 7. 30pm Bridge Village Hall Saturday 13 June 1998 A SUIVIMER WALK AROUND CHARING VILLAGE Starting at the 13th century church of St Peter and St Paul the specially arranged escorted tour by Charing & District Local History Society also includes the courtyard of the Archbishop's Palace and a stroll along the medieval High Street. Refresh yourself at the end of the walk with a home made tea in the Church Bam. Meet 1.00 pm Playing fields car park Palrixboume Road, Bridge. Tickets including tea - Members £3. 50 Non-members £4. 50 Children £1.75 The Bridge & District History Society now in its third season exists to promote interests in aspects of history in and around the villages of Bekesboume, Bishopsboumc, Bridge and Patrixboume. Courly-wide interests are served through membership of the Kent History Federation which meets quarterly at County Hall, Maid- stone. Meetings are held on alternate months in Bridge Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm. A small entrance charge is made, which includes interval light refreshments, of £1 for members and £2 for ‘ non-members. Visits are informal and sociable. They are organised through the season to places of interest, and to the Kent History Federations annual One=Day Conference in May. Membership for the season £5.00 single and £7.50 double. COMMIITEE Chairman Jolm Bishop Secretary Bill Dawson Tel (01227) 831044 Treasurer Maurice Raraty Members Janet Bishop, Jolm Corfield, Jenny Vye Bridge Hill looking towards St Peter ’s Church and Ike Village on the morning of 1 62}: Oczober I 987. « Photo: John Williwnson 1 r Tuesday 23rd September 1997 THE HURRICANE OF 1987 AND HOW IT CHANGED MY LIFE Bob Ogley Almost ten years ago in the early hours of October 16th the face of the landscape of southem England was changed by the unannounced intense winds that swept off the sea. As a result Bob Ogley's life was also to change. Unable to find a publisher for his pictorial record book ‘In The Wake of The Hurricane‘ he set up Froglets Publications and published it himself. A runaway success it was to become the first of a series of books that has enabled him generously to donate to charities connected with the environment. An acclaimed speaker and regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent Mr Ogley will be offering a selection of his publications for sale at special discounts. 7.30pm Bridge Village Hall Sunday 26th October 1997 VISIT TO WALMER CASTLE & GARDENS On this two-part visit join the Head Gardener on a special tour of the gounds and gardens focusing on a seasonal aspect to include the newly created Queen Mothers Garden - eighteen months in the planning and making and opened this summer. And with guides or personal audio tapes tour the Castle dating from 1539 and transformed over the centuries into an elegant stately home. To complete the aitemoon, enjoy the cream tea served in the Castles new tea rooms. Meet 1.00 pm Playing fields car park, Patrixbourne Road, Bridge Tickets including cream tea - Members £5. 50 Non-members £6. 50 Children £3. 75 Tuesday 25th November 1997 TI-[E FAVERSHAM EXPLOSIVES INDUSTRY 1560 - 1930 Arthur Percival For nearly 400 years Faversham was one of the main centres of the UK explosives industry. Without its output - much of which went to the Board of Ordnance and the East India Company, the English language might not have become universal. Gunpowder also helped to make possible the Industrial Revolution, enabling engineers to blast routes through hills and mountains for canals and railways. Ironically though, as Dr Percival will reveal, gunpowder factories were among the loveliest of all scenes of mm] calm. An environmental consultant who lectures worldwide Dr Percival founded the Faversham Society in 1962. 7. 30pm Bridge Village Hall Saturday 6th December 1997 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BUFFET Red Lion Inn, High Street, Bridge Awarmwelcome, a complimentary glass of wine, and a generous hot and cold buffet awaits at this friendly informal gathering. Served up with a mind-stretching two‘-part photo and general knowledge prize quiz, and garnished with a lucky ticket number prize draw. 2.15 pm for 2. 30 pm Tickets in advance only as places are limited. Members £6.50 Non-members £7. 50 Children £3. 50 Tuesday 27th January 1998 PARADISE SAVED! Maurice Raraty The East Kent Development Plan of 1925 envisaged wholesale changes to the world around Bridge based on large-scale exploitation of the Kent coal field. Dr Raraty tells how in the end the development turned out to be small and patchy so that we were saved from, among other things, the prospect of Bishopsboume becoming a mining village, and a large cement works on the top of Dover's Shakespeare Cliff. 7. 30pm Bridge Village Hall Saturday 28th February 1998 VISIT TO ‘THE CANTERBURY TALES’ Award Winning Visitor Attraction Step back in time into the 14th century and join Chaucer's pilgrims on their journey in medieval England from the Tabbard Irm in London to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury. On the way hear the wit, humour and intrigue of the entertaining stories of The Knight's Tale, The Miller's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Nun's Priest's Tale and The Pardoner's Tale all told in modern English. Ifyou haven't been but always meant to, come and enjoy this award wimiing visitor attraction housed in the old St Margaret's church. _ Meet at the entrance, St Margarettr Street‘, Canterbury 2. 00pm Tickets - Members £ 4. 25 Non-members £4. 75 Children .63. 75 Tuesday 24th March 1998 UNDERGROUND KENT Rod LeGear Since Roman times Kent has widely been mined for chalk, and also in later centuries for ragstone and sand. These were used locally for a variety of uses including agriculture, building and glassmaking. A member of the Kent Underground Research Group, RodLeGearwill explore together with a selection of slides and maps the archeological impact of these workings for which, unlike the workings of the coal mining industry, records were either not made or kept. 7. 30 pm Bridge Village Hall Saturday 25th April 1998 VISIT T0 SANDWICH & TOWN TOUR Situated on a natural harbour Sandwich was an important trading port and one of the original Cinque Ports. From about 1200 to 1300 in terms of population Sandwich was one of the ten most important towns in the country and overseas traders included Venetians who brought luxury goods to England in their galleys. By 1560 the harbour had silted up and the decline that followed has ensured that Sandwich is largely preserved with its Saxon street pattern and a high proportion of timbered buildings. Until the 1920's the town was mostly contained within its medieval ramparts and walls. The guided tour specially organised by Sandwich Local History Society lasts about 1‘/2 hours. Meet 1.00 pm Playing fields car park, Patrixbourne Road, Bridge. Tidcet.r—Member.r £2.25 Non-members £3.25 Children £1.25 Saturday 9th May 1998 ONE DAY CONFERENCE AT RAMSGATE KENT HISTORY FEDERATION As members of the Kent History Federation, members have the opportunity to attend the armual popular friendly and infonnal event held at a different place each year in Kent. Talks on the historical aspects. of Ramsgate will be given in the moming, and in the aftemoon a choice of visits to places of local historical interest. Final arrangements available in the Spring. KHF ticket price and details available from the Secretary, Bill Dawson Tel 831 044