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
A History of Christmas - Martin
Crowther
and pre-Christmas social
Martin
Crowther’s presentation “A History of
Christmas” uses historic artefacts and images
from Yuletides past. It will set the scene for our
pre-Christmas social with complimentary mulled wine,
sausage rolls and mince pies. All welcome. No entrance
charge.
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.