‘Distinguished Contribution’ Wins Award

Historians from across Britain recently witnessed an award of "Personal Achievement in Local History", made to Mrs Pat Winzar by the British Association for Local History at the Friends Meeting House, London on 4th June.

Mrs Winzar is well-known to those interested in Kent's past, and recognition of her achievements by a nationwide body such as the BALH is admirable, her certificate stating "for your distinguished contribution to local history." "The first I knew of it was a phone call asking my permission to be given the award!" she said. The award was then sponsored by the eminent historians Dr Joan Thirsk and Arthur Ruderman.

Although Mrs Winzar feels the nomination for the award was probably prompted by her involvement and action on the BBC's "Restoration" programme about Charing Palace, her commitment to local history has been wide-ranging, in both time and space.

Arriving in Charing 30 years ago, Mrs Winzar was inspired by the ruins of the Palace; she became the 'temporary' secretary for the Standing Conference for Local History in Kent in 1974 and started the Local History Journal in 1976. The Standing Conference became the BALH, with the County Commission for Kent becoming the Kent History Federation, of which Mrs Winzar is now the President. "That's what happens when you volunteer...". The annual one-day conferences which Mrs Winzar organised in her time as Secretary have grown so successful today that it is difficult to find halls big enough to accommodate the enthusiastic audience; the Kent History Federation has some 30,000 historians within the various local groups. Congratulations to Mrs Winzar for her award and her continued work with such a successful group.