ANNUAL
PROGRAMME 2022-23
There
is an entrance charge of £4 for each talk -
which are held in Bridge Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
SEPTEMBER
15th 2022
A
short AGM followed by
The Persistent Scribblers Society
- Michelle Crowther (change of Programme)
The Persistent Scribblers Society
was a group of men and women who lived in and around Canterbury
in the 1870s. They wrote stories and poetry which they shared
with each other via a manuscript magazine. The Scribblers’
subjects included heroism, marriage, servants and suffrage.
OCTOBER
20th 2022
Aristocratic Amazons in Arms, the
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry - Juliette Pattinson
This
talk examines the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, the earliest
quasi-military female force to be formed (in 1907) and still
in existence today with unbroken voluntary service. We will
consider the wider context of the formation of the Corps,
the adventurous young women who flocked to this innovative
organisation and their service during the First World War.
NOVEMBER
17th 2022
Canterbury in the 19noughties and
some Naughty Goings On - Ian Osterloh
Francis
Bennett Goldney, a colourful and controversial Mayor of
Canterbury (and later MP), shook the ruling elite to its
core, when he tried to oust the sitting MP. Being implicated
in the Irish crown jewels robbery of 1907 did not diminish
his status and the controversies continued long after his
death. Is he still fooling some of us even today?
DECEMBER
15th 2022
pre-Christmas social
The
Committee invites you to join them in the Village Hall for
a pre-Christmas social with complementary mulled wine, sausage
rolls and mince pies. More details to follow.
JANUARY
19th 2023
Thirty Years of Bother on the Hover
-
Brian Laverick-Smith
Brian
Laverick-Smith is a retired hovercraft pilot. He will give
us a humorous behind the scenes look at the world’s
biggest hovercraft in operation across the English Channel,
set against the history of the hovercraft in Dover.
FEBRUARY
16th 2023
Thomas Becket- Imogen Corrigan
Thomas
Becket is one of the most famous Archbishops of Canterbury,
best known for his violent end in Canterbury Cathedral on
December 29th 1170. Imogen’s talk charts
the rise of Thomas Becket from a scholar who loved sports,
to being one of the most powerful men in the land. It is
a story of great drama but nonetheless a human one.
MARCH
16th 2023
Smuggling on Romney Marsh
-
Sue Duckworth
The
illustrated talk, using quotes and poems, starts with an
introduction to when, what and why smuggling took place.
It then moves on to look at the locations on Romney Marsh
and local people involved in smuggling and explains how
smuggling began to decline.
APRIL
20th 2023
The Black Prince - Peter Genower
The
Black Prince-hero or villain? He was the classic romantic
knight at the height of the age of chivalry, a national
hero and military genius, the warrior prince who never became
king. But do fatal flaws in his character cloud the reputation
and legacy of Edward the Black Prince? The talk will cut
away the hype and take a clear-eyed view of the man behind
the legend.
APRIL
27th 2023
Spring Social at the Red Lion
Our
traditional Christmas Social is moved to the Spring. You
are reminded that you need to have subscribed to the Society
beforehand if you would like to attend.
MAY
18th 2023
The Elham Valley Railway
-
Alan Walton
From
the late 1880s the Elham Valley Railway line linked Cheriton
and Canterbury. In addition to passengers, it was used to
transport all manner of household and commercial wares.
After WWII its usefulness declined and the line closed in
1947. However, its path and earthworks still hold fascination
for passers-by and provide a valuable habitat for wildlife.
SUNDAY
JUNE 25th 2023
Visit to Bishopsbourne Station
A
chance to visit Bishopsbourne Station on the old Elham Valley
line, lovingly restored by its owner Jan Knott who will
show us round. Further details to follow.