New Books
In the last issue of the KAS Newsletter, under Library Notes, the name of the new book by Anne Clinch was incorrectly listed. The title should be A History of Langley in Kent, not A History of Lingley in Kent. My apologies to Anne.
The Editor
KAS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL HISTORY RESEARCH
Two local history enthusiasts have recently self-published books on their specialist subjects, with the help of research grants from the KAS’s Allen Grove Local History Fund.
‘FAMILIES OF WARTIME LOOSE’ by Margaret Chapman
In this book, the author of the Loose Area History Society tells the stories of the 65 men and women whose names are engraved on the village’s war memorial; the 15 servicemen from the area who for various reasons are not listed on the memorial; and several others who won battle honours but whose fate is unknown.
Margaret’s book begins with an account of the unveiling of the war memorial by Private Harold Harris, who lost his sight while fighting in Flanders but with the help of St Dunstan’s set up a boot repair business in the village.
She quotes extensively from official records and contemporary newspaper reports; features family memorabilia and the reminiscences of the casualties’ relatives; and records the casualties’ service histories and the locations of their war graves or battlefield memorials.
There are more than 300 illustrations, including photographs of nearly all the men and women concerned; the places where they lived; ships, aircraft and battlefields – and much more!
The 264-page book is available free on CD in pdf format from Margaret at 13 Northleigh Close, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9RP. To cover P&P please enclose a cheque for £5 payable to ‘Margaret Chapman’. The book can also be downloaded free of charge from www.looseareahistorysociety.webeden.co.uk (click on News/War Memorials).
Enquiries to 01622 746630 or MChap53767@aol.com
‘THE LOST MANOR OF WARE’ by Kathryn Kersey
Kathryn Kersey reveals some of the secrets of Ware Street, which runs from Bearsted Green to Weavering Street, Maidstone, and although less than a mile long, holds many clues to the days when it was a sleepy hamlet, deep in the county town’s countryside.
“It was a medieval manor owned by Rochester cathedral”, explains Kathryn. “The earliest surviving records I found were some Latin documents, more than 600 years old, in Medway Archives Office”.
“They were very fragile and about to be withdrawn from public inspection, perhaps for several years. Luckily I was able to have them transcribed and translated before they were taken away to be repaired by conservation specialists”.
In her book Kathryn takes readers on a walk along the street, describing how the manor evolved over the centuries and identifying its historic properties and buildings. She also brings to light the manor’s surprising links with such nationally important historical events as the Jack Cade Rebellion in 1450 and the ‘Swing Riots’ on Kent’s farms in 1830.
The careers of local traders and craftsmen are covered and although farming was the main occupation along old Ware Street, it once had an important ragstone quarry and brickworks, whose ruined engine shed Kathryn discovered and photographed.
There are also oral history contributions and extracts from local newspapers, parish magazines and census returns – and more than 200 photographs supplied by past and present residents and members of Bearsted and District Local History Society.
‘The Lost Manor of Ware’, ISBN 978-0-9545831-3-2; 262 pages, paperback, costs £17 inc. P&P available from 5 Greensand Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8NY. Enquiries to 01622 730444 or mkjersey@tiscali.co.uk. The book is also on sale at Waterstones,
Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre, Maidstone.
Allen Grove, who died in 1990, was curator of Maidstone Museum for many years and the KAS’s Hon. Curator from 1949 to 1975 and President from 1987 to 1988. He left a legacy to the KAS for the establishment of the Allen Grove Local History fund to promote research, preservation and the enjoyment of local history.
For details of how to apply for a grant see page 8 of this Newsletter.
KENTISH RAGSTONE by Malcolm Stocker
This book attempts to give a balanced assessment of Kentish ragstone, its strengths and its drawbacks and traces the history of the most widely used building stone in the South East of England.
The decline of the stone industry was particularly severe in Kent with the closure of most of the Kentish ragstone quarries making its future availability problematic. The difficulties this presents for those involved in conservation is discussed.
A4 size paperback, 72 pages with 71 illustrations. Price £11.50 inc. P&P.
Available from Malcolm Stocker, Crowham Cottage, Main Road, Westfield, East Sussex TN35 4SP. Email: stocker1@btinternet.com
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF KENT TO AD800, edited by Dr John Williams
Kent’s proximity to the European mainland has meant that it has always had a special relationship with its continental neighbours. At times this has been a positive force, with Kent a conduit for trade and new ideas, but on other occasions the white cliffs of Dover have symbolised defiance, with Kent being in the front line in the defence of England. The opening up of the Channel Tunnel and the construction of the associated high-speed railway line linking England and France, together with major development activity associated with an agenda for regeneration and economic growth, has resulted in unprecedented archaeological activity which has revolutionised our understanding of Kent’s earlier past.
The book begins with The Growth of Archaeology in Kent, from the early pioneers to today’s development-led work. Four chapters cover the Palaeolithic Archaeology of Kent, Prehistoric Kent, Roman Kent and Anglo-Saxon Kent to AD 800. Within the narrative a number of ‘boxes’ describe special sites and discoveries - such as Barnfield Pit, Swanscombe, home to the second oldest human remains from this country; the Dover bronze age boat; the Romano-British ‘cult centre’ at Springhead, near Gravesend; and the Anglo-Saxon watermill at Ebbsfleet.
The contributors to this volume, Professor Timothy Champion, Dr Francis Wenban-Smith, Professor Martin Millett and Dr Martin Welch all have specialist research interests in Kent, and have combined established wisdom with the fresh information from recent work to create a new and exciting story.
Hardback, 300 pages, well illustrated in colour with plans, maps, photos and reconstruction drawings. Published by Boydell and Brewer, Kent County Council, 2007, ISBN 9780851155807.
Normal price £25, but £20 to KAS members on production of a KAS membership card, if collected from the Centre for Kentish Studies in Maidstone, Dover Museum, Dartford Museum or Canterbury Archaeological Trust at 92a Broad Street, Canterbury. This offer ends at the end of February.
Kent Archaeological Society Publications. All publications, journals and off-prints published by the Society are now being distributed by Heritage Marketing and Publications Ltd. All titles are available to purchase on-line from: www.heritageamp.com
Hill Farm, Castle Acre Rd, Great Dunham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2LP
Tel: 01760 755545 Fax: 01760 755346
E-mail: sales@heritageamp.com
Grants are available towards research into any aspect of the WEALDEN IRON INDUSTRY or subjects pertaining to it.
Applications may be individuals or groups, and the application can include any associated expenses, such as travelling and photocopying.
It is anticipated that some £100 plus will be available from the fund. The applicant should write a letter giving details of themselves together with relevant information concerning the research envisaged.
This should be sent by the 31st March 2008 to: Mrs. A. M. Tebbutt, Hon. Sec. Wealden Iron Research Group, 3 Hillcrest, Shortbridge Road, Piltdown, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 3XD