New Books
Kent 1800 – 1899: A Chronicle of the Nineteenth Century by Bob Ogley
Published by Froglets Publications. Hardback: 1-872337-51-1 £18.99, Paperback: 1-872337-56-2 £13.99.
In 1801 people were spread evenly around the Kent countryside; by 1891 more than two thirds had moved to the towns. This book tells the story of the changing face of the county, the understanding of childhood, the desire to seek recreation in the sea-bathing resorts and the appreciation of art and literature with Dickens, Morris, Tennyson and Turner pre-eminent among the county’s novelists, designers, poets and artists. Extensive quotes from newspapers of the day recreate the atmosphere and tell the story of Kent, year by year, throughout the 19th century. A feast of facts and over 200 illustrations (many in full color) provide a panorama of the 19th century and an invitation to spend hours browsing.
Available from Kent bookshops or direct from Froglets at Brasted Chart, Westerham TN16 1LY – please ring 01959 562972 for information about postage.
A School at Bearsted by Kathryn Kersey
0-9545831-0-8 £15.00.
For over 160 years, there has been a school at Bearsted. This book is a celebration of the staff, the original modest red-brick building and its later counterpart, which have all meant so much to local residents. Drawing on the written and visual records of the school and village, incorporating original research and interviews with local people, memories of Old Scholars and school staff, the fully-indexed chapters cover many different topics. These include the original application in 1839 for financial assistance, the Centenary celebrations, the school during the two World Wars, the effects of the railway line on the school - and some good reasons not to attend! More recent times are examined together with a discussion of the struggle to relocate to the current site at Roseacre.
Available from Mrs K Kersey, 5 Greensand Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME15 8NY. Cheque payable to Kathryn Kersey. Please add £3.85 for first class postage. All profits from sales of the book will go to the school fund.
The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo-Saxon Dover by Brian Philp
Published by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, £18.00.
This is the third in a series on Dover’s archaeology, and deals with the excavation of major Anglo-Saxon structures from 1970-1990. The report covers The Saxon Domestic Buildings and The Saxon Monastic Church. Sunken floored buildings were discovered, including a large weaving hut destroyed by fire, containing spectacular strings of fallen loom weights. Nearby, a stone-floored hall, posted buildings and a boulder road were also found. The sequence of the monastic church of St Martin’s dating from the 7th century was uncovered, from its beginnings as a small wooden cell through several enlargements culminating in a major church over 27m long. In the 11th century the wooden church was replaced by the Norman stone church of St Martin-le-Grand.
Available from K.A.R.U. (to whom cheque payable) Roman Painted House, New Street, Dover CT17 9AJ. Please add £3.60 postage.
The Fylfot-Crosses in the church of St.Mary the Virgin, Great Canfield by the Reverend Stephen Taylor
Published by Cambridge Universal Publications 0-9545455-0-8 £5.99.
While on ordination retreat at Pleshey in the early 1960’s, Stephen Taylor explored the Essex countryside and chanced across this lovely little church. He was greatly mystified by the presence of what appeared to be five swastikas cut into the stonework of the porch. The little guidebook in the church spoke of their link with the catacomb of San Callisto in Rome, but could say no more; forty years on, Stephen Taylor is offering the fruits of his research into the meaning and significance of these Fylfot-Crosses.
Available post free from CU Publications (to whom cheque payable), PO Box 878, Whittlesford, Cambridge CB2 4XZ Tel: 01223 830461 email: cupas-tay@fish.co.uk
For more information or to purchase these books, please contact the respective publishers or authors at the addresses provided.