Report: Dover Bronze Age Boat

At our last meeting before Christmas Dr Paul Bennett, Director of Canterbury Archaeological Trust, gave members a fascinating insight into the discovery and the story of the subsequent conservation of the Dover Bronze Age boat.

He explained that in September 1992 he, and several other archaeologists, were in the last weeks of their excavations alongside the civil engineers who were constructing the Dover to Folkestone A20 road link when a small portion was revealed at the bottom of a deep trench.

His excellent slides taken at the time showed the final emergence and uncovering of what was finally found to be a large portion of a middle Bronze Age boat dated to about 1550BC.

He went on to explain that its construction comprised oak planks sewn together with yew lashings, a technique which has a long tradition in British prehistory and a rare example of one of a very few ever discovered in Britain.

Approximately 9.5m of the craft was finally recovered which probably represented about two thirds of the full size of the boat and it was obvious that it had been laid up and partially deconstructed after its long maritime career and possibly used by Bronze Age children as a recreation area.

After extensive conservation with the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth it was finally returned in 1998 to a purpose built environmentally controlled gallery at Dover Museum. In 2013 with the support of European funding a half-sized replica of the boat was built and launched and featured in three major exhibitions in France, Belgium and England - see Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 6th February at the Lower Hall, United Reform Church, High Street, Herne Bay when Margaret Burns will be giving a presentation on introducing the value of Oral History to local historians entitled "Telling Your Own Story".

Doors open at 6.30pm when refreshments, raffle and a bookstall will be available prior to commencement of the evening at 7pm. All are welcome. Members free, visitors £2.

Report: Hidden Kent

Peter Meiklejohn gave members an interesting tour of Hidden Places in Kent at our last meeting.

The aftermath of the Faversham Gunpowder Mill explosion 1916

He highlighted some very unusual stories from places that he has photographed over the years including the Faversham gunpowder works explosion of 1916, and the story of the Rev James Ramsay who was vicar of Teston in 1781 and an early anti-slave campaigner and many more.

Penny Hills, Society Secretary, thanked him on behalf of members present for a very entertaining and informative talk.

Members were reminded that the Society's 2014 calendars were still available as were copies of the latest publication "Herne Bay Then & Now - a pictorial history" both of which could make very acceptable Christmas presents.

The last meeting of the year will be on Thursday 5th December in the Lower United Church Hall, High Street, Herne Bay when Paul Bennett of Canterbury Archaeological Trust will be giving a talk on the excavation of the Bronze Age Boat in Dover Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm start. Visitors £2 Members free.

Report: Some Local Hostelries

Mike Bundock, vice Chairman, introduced the evening in the absence of David Birch chairman, who was indisposed due to a minor accident at home from which Mike said he was speedily recovering.

He explained that he had set up a new notice board with some illustrations of buildings, streets and shops taken from the Society's extensive collection for members to peruse during the refreshment break.

The King Ethelbert, Reculver

John Fishpool, President, then gave members a very interesting history of some of the hotels and public houses in the Herne Bay area. He explained that it had been the fashion in the past for some establishments to display some rather fanciful and exaggerated stories, but he set out to illustrate many facts and details that he had researched from newspapers, census returns and licensing records.

Mick Hills, society member gave the vote of thanks.

Copies of the latest publication "Herne Bay Now and Then - a pictorial history" together with the 2014 calendar were on sale at the books table.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 21st November in the Lower United Church Hall, High Street, Herne Bay when Peter Meiklejohn will give a talk entitled "Hidden Kent". Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm start. Visitors £2 Members free.

Report: Victorian & Edwardian Schooldays

Peter Ewart gave us a fascinating talk at our recent meeting on Victorian and Edwardian Schooldays and the impact of the wider universal and compulsory educational system on the general population after the various 19th century Education Acts.

He explained that in the 1860s, one third of children in England and Wales did not attend school at all and right up until the 1881 Act which made elementary education compulsory, children were not required to go.

He covered previous provisions which included Dame schools, Church sponsorship, including Sunday Schools and other philanthropic groups which organised the Ragged Schools in cities not forgetting the Workhouse establishments. After 1891 almost all children had access to free education.

Only in the 20th century were young children no longer regularly expected to work alongside adults and by 1902 total responsibility for state supported education was passed to Borough and County Councils. By 1918 school attendance was not only compulsory but the school leaving age was raised from 12 to 14 years old.

Edwardian schools had mainly single sex classes in fairly large rooms with seating often arranged in tiers. Subjects covered the 'three R's' (reading, writing and arithmetic) and there were also physical education lessons ('drill'). Girls were generally taught sewing and needlework, and boys wood and metal work.

Peter concluded by giving examples taken from school log books which provided members with some excellent contemporary stories.

David Birch reminded members that the Society's 2014 Calendar and their latest publication "Herne Bay Then and Now - a pictorial history covering 180 years" was now on sale.

It's time to join the Historical Records Society

The Society is just starting a new season of talks. Running from the Bronze Age to the present day, the talks range across schools, pubs, war and more.

Meetings are held in the Lower Hall, Herne Bay United Church, High Street, Herne Bay, starting at 7:00pm, doors open from 6.30pm. Meetings are open to members and guests. The Annual Subscription for 2013/2014 is just £10 per person or £20 per household. Visitors are welcome, space permitting, for a charge of £2.  

Click here to download a membership form.