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.

IoTAS talks in July

Isle of Thanet Archeological Society

As part of the Festival of British Archaeology, IoTAS are organising two Talks.

On Thursday, 18th July, there is a Public Talk by Peter Golding entitled "Under our Feet" (local geology).  

If you have ever wanted to know more about how our landscape was formed, and the effect it has had on our history, please come along.  The Talk is at the Lecture Hall of Christchurch University, Broadstairs Campus, Northwood Road, Broadstairs (free parking at rear of building).  Admission is £5, £3 for IOTAS members and £2.50 for students.  Doors open 7.15 p.m. for 7.45 p.m. start.

The second Talk is on Monday, 22nd July, and is at Crampton Tower Yard, Broadstairs.  It is being given by Karen Botha and Imbel Livene of Quex House and is titled "Protecting the future of our past, the way forward for the Powell Cotton Museum". Admission is £2, free to IoTAS members and again doors open at 7.15 p.m. for 7.45 p.m. start.

If either of these Talks interest you or any of the members of your organisation, please come along.  Everyone is welcome.  

More information can be found on www.iotas.org.uk

King's Hall Centenary

The Herne Bay Historical Records Society

proudly presents

The King’s Hall Herne Bay - Celebrating 100 Years

a talk by Mike Bundock

King’s Hall, Wednesday 10th July, 7pm

The Centenary Exhibition (which is free to all, and runs from 10th - 22nd July) will open at 6pm, followed by our book launch.

Tickets for the talk are £3 in advance, or £4 on the door, and are available from:

• Frangipani, 100 Mortimer Street
• A Bundle of Books, 6 Bank Street
• Evening Tide, 97 Central Parade

Herne Bay's birthday!

As part of the town's 180th Anniversary season of events, Mike Bundock will be giving a presentation on 28th June at 7pm at the Herne Bay Little Theatre - book your tickets now!

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