Committee Round-Up

HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

The Committee has been working on preparations for a number of events and activities planned for 2007:

• Spring outing to Shoreham on 7th April 2007
  Comprising a conducted tour looking at the historic buildings in the village, followed by a more detailed discussion in the church in the morning. After lunch there will be a guided visit of Eynsford Castle. (See What's On for more information)
• Production of a leaflet entitled "Historic Assessment and Survey of Old Buildings"
  Aimed at offering guidance to people who want to find out more about their property.
• As part of the KAS 150th Anniversary celebrations, a One-Day Conference on 20th October 2007
  Themes will include the documentary history of buildings: timber framed buildings, architectural features of stone buildings; and fixtures and fittings - dating by detail.

More details on the leaflet and the conference will be available in the next KAS Newsletter.

Finally, The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum in West Sussex has offered KAS members a discount of 10% on the cost of its courses, or 20% for a group of 4 or more KAS members. A course entitled An Introduction to Dating Timber-Framed Buildings is scheduled for 17th March 2007 (normal price £95), and the next course on Traditional Timber Frame Construction is to be held on 3rd May 2007. Anyone interested in attending either of these courses, or wanting more information, should contact Mike Clinch (tel: 01322 526425; email: mike@mikeclinch.co.uk).

CHURCHES COMMITTEE

Over fifty people attended the Churches Committee's final visit of 2006 which was to the churches at Eastchurch and Harty on the Isle of Sheppey. The visit was organised by committee member Jonathan Fryer who, as a native of Sheppey and expert in its history, welcomed everyone first at Eastchurch. In his talk he placed the church firmly in the context of the history and geography of this distinctive part of the county. He said that Sheppey is more remote now than in the past when it was connected to the mainland by a number of ferries. The separate island of Harty for example had stronger connections with Faversham than with Sheppey. Similarly at that time there were notable non-conformist links between Grain and Sheerness. He went on to give an overview of the churches on the island past and present of which Eastchurch is one of the more influential buildings. It was built about 1430 and was heavily restored in 1871. Features of interest include a fifteenth century screen, early seventeenth century pulpit and a south aisle window commemorating two early navigators who conducted their experiments in flying in the parish in 1912. The chancel was shut off because of death watch beetle and it is to be hoped that repairs can be completed soon.

Everyone then made their way to the remote church at Harty which occupies an exposed position with spectacular views over the Swale. The churchwardens, Colin Patience and Marion Studd, spoke about church life, the parish and this delightful ancient building. The church is over 700 years old. A round Norman arch of tufa on the north wall was a window before the north aisle was constructed around 1200. A massive medieval timber structure at the back of the nave supports the belfry. A fourteenth century screen divides the nave and small chancel. A small south transept lady chapel contains a notable fourteenth century Flemish chest. More recent additions to the church include some delightful windows depicting the farming and wildlife of the parish. A fascinating and enjoyable afternoon was rounded off with tea at the Harty Inn.

Mary Berg.