Allen Grove Local History Fund

Last year we reported a disappointing drop in the number of applications for grants. The trustees of the Fund were pleased to receive seventeen applications this year, probably a record number. Following more extensive publicity, inevitably there was not enough money available to award useful amounts to all the applicants and seven grants of between £200 and £400 were made. These were to:

• Ashford Town Bowls Club for research into the history of the club and producing a centenary booklet and display.
• Folkestone People's History Centre towards the cost of production of the first of a series of journals on the town's history and archaeology.
• Herne & Broomfield Local History Group for the cost of producing a booklet 'Herne Chronicles - a collection of myths, legends & facts to celebrate 700 years of the Parish'.
• Mr G. Hitchings for the cost of publishing a guide to Speldhurst Church and its unique windows.
• Dr H. Leaf for research on a collection of letters written in the 19th century to George Moore who had emigrated to America and which tell of life in the Faversham area. She will publish a book on the letters.
• Save the Hadlow Tower Action Group for producing a permanent display at Hadlow Tower on the tower and its history. The tower is about to be restored by the Vivat Trust and will have a museum and visitor centre on the ground floor and holiday flat above.
• Dr D. Wright for research to produce a book on Bryan Faussett.

The next grants will be awarded in 2010 and applications on the prescribed form must be received by the Hon. General Secretary by the 31st March. The form can be downloaded from the society's web site at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Society/hth.htm or obtained from the Hon. General Secretary, Three Elms, Woodlands Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA12 3HH. Email: secretary@kentarchaeology.org.uk.