Doug Lindsay, a member of the Kent and East Sussex Railway Preservation Society will explain the reason for this line being built from Tenterden, and will expound on the history of the line and how it was built by Col. Stephenson over 100 years ago, 7. 30 pm Bridge Village Hall Members £1 Non-members £3 Including light refreshments. A visit to Tenterden "Th ‘je el of the Weald" with a short walking tour of this fasci mg town followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam, an opportunity to visit Bodiam Castle returning by steam train to Teirterden with a cream tea on board. Private Coach Travel Walkingtour of Tenterden Steam train Tenterden - Bodiam and return Optional visit to Bedlam Ca stle Cream tea ICQOE Depart Bridge Village Post Office 9.30 am Members £18 Nommembers £20 The evening meetings are informal and sociable, and transport and/or escorts can usually be arranged with other members living nearby. On trips by member's cars, those without transport can normally be accommodated in the spare seats. Please contact the Secretary for arrangements. Bridge and District History Society was formed in 1995 to promote interest in aspects of local history in and around the villages of Barham, Kingston, Bishopsboume, Bridge, Patnxbourne and Bekesbourne. County-wide interests are served through membership of the Kent History Federation. Dover Castle © English Heritage Membership is annual commencing in September. Rates are £5.00 single £7.50 double and £2.50 for each additional person residing at the same address. Newsletters and advance tickets for Visits and days out are sent out alternate months. Chairman John Bishop Treasurer Maurice Rararty Secretary Bill Dawson Committee Janet Bishop, Meriel Connor, Jenny Vye, David Gilmour BRIDGE 8:’ DISTRICT HISTORY OCIBTY Our first meeting this year ‘ eleblrate the 60”“ anniversary of the battle of Britain. t hen Gdoda, an enthusiast, will outline the development of the RAF _ and the Luftwaffe followed by an illustrated talk on the equipment and personalities waging war in the skies above our county. He will conclude with an assessment of the éffect and outcome of the battle on the codrse of the war. 7.30 pm Bridge killage ‘H all 1 Members £1 N0n~members £3 Including light refreshments This year's festivities will start much earlier than last year. We will gather at the Village hall to view the photos for the Quiz and enjoy a welcome drink and mince pies. We then cross the road to the White Horse Inn, open exclusively to Society members, for the traditional Christmas buffet, during which the general knowledge quiz will take place. Join us for a very convivial afternoon in good company. 12.30pm Bridge Village Hall and White Horse Inn Members £8 Child £5 Non—members £11 Folloizvinlg on last month's talk we have arranged a visit by member's cars tb Manston. Olsiginalli an operational fighter base and later a diversibnary air eld during the battle, .\/Ianston hbuses the Spitfire an Hurricane Memorial .\/Iuseum. The xlisit will be followed by a crelim tea ht the Museun1.. Members w out their own translpo are welcome to come, arrarrgenients will be made for them to ocbupy spare seats. Depart from the Recreation Grouiid liridge 1.30pm. A/[embers £3450 I\l0n— members £4 Our first meeting of the New Year will be a talk by Bryan Rising from ish Heritage on the history of Dover Castle. He will trac it's igins as an Iron Age hillfoit through to the Romans and the building of the lighthouse. After the Norman Conquest it was extensively fortified with the centrepiece of the keep being erected in the reign of Henry II. It has been continuously occupied by th ilitary and was extensively used in two world wars wi it‘s secret wartime tunnels. This will be followed up by a visit over Castle next month. 7.30p.m. Bridge Wllage Hall Members £1 Non-members £3 Including light refreshments Thomas Ingoldsby said that "The World, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Romney Marsh" In his talk, Dick Bolton will explore the changes made by man and nature to form today's magical landscape. He will chart the development of the unique collection of churches from Saxon times and show something of their fabric and stories. 7.30p.m. Bridge Village Hall Members £1 Non members £3 Including light refieshmenis As a follow-up to last month's talk, Dick Bolton will mke us to Romney Marsh to enjoy the countryside, visiting 4 of the ancient churches and to hear tales of life on the Marsh. The most interesting and unusual sites will be visited followed by a cream tea. - Private Coach Travel 0 Escorted tour of the Marsh 0 Visit to 4 churches o Cream tea Depart firom Bridge Post Office 9.30 a.m. Members £1 4. 00 Child £8.50 Non members £15.50 This celebrated author from Hampshire had many associations with Keiit, dften visiting her brother, Edward Knight at the great house ih Gbdmershani Pztrk and staying also with friends at the bi hbuse at Golodnestone. Shh iiicluded many of the persohali‘ ies and places i’ tliis area in her books. Anthea Bryarit will trace the associlatibns ‘in her life and literature to her many visits to friends arid fhmily in the locality. 7. 30 pm bridge Village Hall 1 p ‘ Memberl £1 Ndn-members £3 lnclizdirlg light refreshments A visit to Dover Castle in menllfifiszcars. The castle has an exhibition using light, film and sound to recreate the atmosphere of the siege of 1216 by Prince Louis of France. Another exhibition uses light and sound to portray the preparation of the castle for the arrival of King Henry VIII. There will be an opportunity to visit the secret wartime underground tunnels, for those who wish to do so. Depart from Bridge recreation ground 1.00 pm. Prices including cream tea and admission Members Non-members Adult £10.50 £11.50 Concessions £8.50 £9.50 Childre £7. 00 £8.00 English Jiefifiage members can deduct £7 per adult, £5.00 per concession and £3. 50 per child. The annual Kent History Federation conference will be in Rye this year. Talks on local topics are given in the morning and a choice of visits to places of interest in the aflemoon. Lunches can be pre-arranged. Details will be circulated to all members in February/March Members to arrange own transport to Rye.