Letters to the Editor, Summer 2004

Dear Editor,

I am looking for some information about an English lord during the Hundred Years War. Perhaps there is someone in your Society who can help me?

I am researching the history of a French village based in the old province of Saintonge and I have found that during the Hundred Years War the lord was an Englishman named Richard Totesham. I think that his name might come from Tutsham in the county of Kent.

I have found some information about him when he was in France, but I would like to know more about him when in England, before and after the war. I think he was a very important person in the west of France in this period and would like to know more about his family. If you can help I can be contacted at:

2 Place d'Aliénor, 86130 Saint Georges les Baillargeaux, France

Tel: 05-49-62-78-09 email: placheteau@chasseneuil-chartresis.com

Thank you.

Pascal Lacheteau

The Local Heritage Initiative

The Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) has made several grants to community groups in Kent over the last few years. The LHI funds projects which enable local groups to care for natural, built, industrial, archaeological heritage, and customs and traditions. Below are just three examples of projects:

In Faversham, local group Artexte UK created an 8 by 4 foot mosaic mural, portraying the less obvious, but still fascinating, construction features of the town. A large number of photographs of selected properties, all over 200 years old, were collected, of carvings, motifs, doorways and the buildings themselves. From these a rough template was made for the design. Materials used included mosaic tiles, drift wood, glass, and china, these last two reclaimed from the creek – rubbish brought from London by barge many years ago. Some 200 people worked on eight different sections, including children from four local schools and Age Concern members. The completed mosaic is mounted at the entrance to the railway station and an accompanying leaflet provides information and gives the location of the various sites represented in the mural.

Students at Cheyne Middle School in Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey worked with others from Minster College, Sheerness to compile a detailed history of the town's Beachfields Park. The Park, which sits between Sheerness and the sea, dates back some 150-200 years. Working with a local history group, they interviewed local residents and searched through library and archive material, uncovering details also of the history of the area's Park's funfair, bandstands. Prisoner of War hut, boating lake and bowling green. Their results are published in a 50 page booklet. Tales of Beachfield Park: The work was undertaken with the support of Groundwork Medway Swale which works on regeneration projects in the region.

The village of Newchurch, Romney Marsh, has a history dating back to the 13th century, a long association with smuggling, and more recently was the location of a World War II airfield. A programme of research, trawling through library and museum archives and recording the reminiscences of elderly residents, has meant this area is now well-documented. The highlights of the village's past are captured in a special exhibition located permanently in the north chapel of the church and a booklet by the researchers. Paula and Derrick Chilverell, charts the area's past in a concise 50 page document.

Groups wishing to undertake projects can now apply for 100% grants from £3,000 to £25,000, without any requirement to provide cash themselves. Funds are made available in advance to allow schemes to get underway quickly without financial constraints. Groups need a Constitution and an open bank account, plus the commitment, time and enthusiasm to bring projects to life. The level of active community involvement is one of the key factors considered when reviewing applications. For an overview of the LHI, explanation of how to apply for a grant, and information about projects currently underway, go to www.lhi.org.uk or tel: 0870 9000 418 for an application pack.

Newchurch residents pass by haystacks at Frostdam Farm, circa 1920.

Faversham's past is now on permanent display.