Introducing the Society’s Outreach & Engagement Officer - Peter Joyce
My name is Pete Joyce. I am a mature PhD student at Canterbury Christ Church University working on 18th-century charity in the lower Medway valley. Before that, I did a MA(Res) on Rev Caleb Parfect, who was instrumental in promoting and founding the national SPCK workhouse movement in Strood.
Although I come later in life to the professional world of history and archaeology, I have always had an interest and have been fortunate to visit many historic sites worldwide.
Between starting my undergrad some twelve years ago and leaving the armed forces in the 90s, I have been involved in several industries, from professional camera sales and teaching photography to being a steward in a golf club. For the last four years, I have been a lay chaplain to the CCCU community as part of the chaplaincy team there.
This wide and dynamic range of jobs has always been built around my ability to communicate and my organisational skills, two values that I hope members will notice in my work with the Society.
I am excited by this new role and this new direction for me in my life.
I feel that we are living in a great time for history and archaeology. Of the many lessons of Covid, I think the most striking is a newfound appreciation for the places we live and a new desire to tell the histories and stories that make our communities what they are. The recent death of HLM Queen
Elizabeth II has shown nationally that history is far from a political football to be kicked into touch to the benefit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Instead, it is the DNA of our communities, and the
Society plays a vital role in keeping that alive both in the ancient county of Kent and on the national stage with our partners in other counties.
Although I really look forward to meeting members at the events we are planning to host both online and in person, I look forward to the members’ input, suggestions and guidance on how I can help promote the Society. So if you have an idea, the local historical society is looking for a speaker, the local archaeology society needs some instruction,
Happy history and archaeology and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Peter Joyce
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Pete with his two boys, JJ and Mr B
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Pete finding an unknown Charles 1 Book of Common Prayer in the CCCU Library
