Publications
Horton Kirby and South Darenth Local History Society
The White House, Horton Kirby and Mussenden Farm. Two pamphlets produced by the society, have been deposited in the Society's library, price 50p each. Copies of these and other publications of this society can be obtained from the Secretary, K.H. Saunderson.
St Mary's Cray Action Group
An Illustrated guide to St Mary Cray by John Blundell. This supercedes the 1992 edition. Copies are obtainable from the author, Mr J Blundell, 35 Tandridge Drive Crofton, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8BY. Price £7.50 + £1 p & p.
Archaeological Committee of the Gravesend Historical Society
The Gravesend Blockhouse by V.T.C. Smith & E.R. Green. This is now available and is priced at £3 (inc p & p). Cheques should be made payable to 'New Tavern Fort project' and sent to Mr V. Smith.
New Book on the Roman Town at Springhead
The Gravesend Historical Society's, The Roman Town at Springhead is long out of print. The Society hope to produce an entirely re-written 3rd edition in 2001 to mark the 50 years since its first involvement with this important site. The major figures from within the Society who directed excavations at Springhead were the late Bill Penn and Syd Harker. Important additional work was undertaken by Brian Philp. The Society's Springhead Unit was also active there in the 1990's. Further investigations of a non-invasive kind across the greater Springhead area are planned.
Within the book it is intended to re-assess the findings of the Society's investigations, to refer to the published more recent discoveries by others and to include some contributions by specialists in various fields.
The Society has a very large collection of artifacts found at Springhead, many of which are on display at the Milton Chantry Heritage Centre in Gravesend. Full use of these will be made in illustrating the book.
The Society is also keen to complete an archive of photographs taken during the excavations at the site and appeals to any past excavators who may have taken photographs there for the favour of being able to borrow and copy them. Any such material would be carefully handled and returned, with postage refunded.
Please send material to Victor Smith, Convenor of the Society's Archaeology Committee.
Sandwich Local History Society has just published an oral history of the town, covering the years 1914-1950, based on transcripts of taped interviews with twenty five of the town's more senior citizens, spread over as wide a range of personal circumstances as possible. These transcripts have been used to compile eleven chapters describing topics such as employment, school, living conditions, transport and so on. In all these the emphasis has been placed on what was actually said, with as little commentary from the various chapter editors as possible. Those who have been involved in the work - which has taken five years to bring to fruition - have found it fascinating, and it has been very well received in Sandwich. Copies of the 175 page A5 book may be obtained from the Society's Secretary, Dr F.W.G. Andrews for £8.00 (incl. p & p).
A Brief History of Sheerness Dockyard by Philip MacDougall. 76 pages, large format comb bound, bibliography, index, 5 maps. Limited circulation. £6.75 (incl. p & p). Available to K.A.S. members direct from the author at 38 Arnold Way, Bosham, Chichester, West Sussex, P018 8NJ.
Philip MacDougall, who has written and researched widely on the subject of Kent's naval dockyards, has put together this brief account of Sheerness. Providing for the first time, much newly researched material, it is an attempt to put this greatly neglected dockyard into full historical context. Of particular value is a description of the numerous problems faced by the yard during the 18th century and a detailed reconstruction of the dockyard during the early 19th century. Among the several appendices included are a complete Listing of all vessels constructed in the yard as well as those deliberately sunk as breakwaters.
Wrotham Historical Society
As a follow up to its recent highly successful 45 minute video covering the history of the village over the past 1,000 years - 'Wrotham - a Place in English History' - the Historical Society is planning a long overdue written history which it plans to publish in 2002/3.
Research into a whole range of topics is well underway but we would greatly appreciate the loan of any documents/ records/ photographs relating to Wrotham which fellow members may have in their possession. They would be taken great care of and returned safely to their owner after use.
If any reader is able to help could they please contact me: Clive Thomas.