The name given to Folkestone in WW1. The talk will illustrate the reasons why Folkestone got this name, including the welcoming of Belgian refugees, the importance of the harbour, the requisitioning of houses for Rest Camps, the Canadians at Shorncliffe and the Gotha Raid of 1917.

October 21^st 2021
The Pubs of Bridge - Alan Walton

Alan, former landlord of the White Horse Inn, will take us on a Pub Crawl through the histories of the 3 pubs in Bridge. We will learn of the characters that have frequented them and the events that have been celebrated within their bars!

November 18^th 2021
Rupert Bear and Friends - Martin Crowther

Discover the story of Rupert Bear and his creator Mary Tourtel: The talk will also explore the work of Smallfilms animators Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin including Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine and the Clangers.

December 16^th 2021
Christmas Social at the Red Lion

January 20^th 2022
The Working Lives of Women in Canterbury and Kent 1500 to 1700 - Jackie Eales

Educational opportunities for Tudor and Stuart women were very limited. They could not pursue a professional career and their labour was seen as unskilled. Nevertheless the fascinating evidence shows the range of jobs open to women and the perils they encounterted in entering the early modern labour market.

February 17^th 2022
Master Masons: The Men who built the Cathedrals - Imogen Corrigan

How, why and for whom did ordinary human beings build these delicate, decorated, dazzingly high buildings? We meet the men who designed them, ran the sites, sourced the materials and workers, whilst creating heaven on earth all those centuries ago.

March 17^th 2022
Paintings and Prints of Kent - Ian Guy

The talk will be based on the book by Samuel Ireland A Picturesque Tour of the River Medway published in 1793. The accompanying letterpress gives much interesting information about Kent, shortly after the French Revolution.

April 21^st 2022
The In-Laws - James Dickinson

The story of Joan the Fair Maid of Kent, who became the first Princess of Wales and John of Gaunt, who was called the most hated man in England. Joan of Kent was born in 1328. This talk will cover her life story and that of John of Gaunt, her brother-in-law.

May 19^th 2022
Kent Spring and Summer Seasonal Customs - Geoff Doel

Explore Kent's Spring and Summer seasonal folk customs, including May Garlands, Jacks in the Green, Morris dancing and many more. The talk will be illustrated with images and folk songs.

June 16^th 2022
Tour of Folkestone

Hilary Tolputt will take us to look at the Victorian and Edwardian houses in the western area of Folkestone, including part of the Leas and Holy Trinity Church which reflects the Earl of Radnor's ambitious ideas for the west end of "Fashionable Folkestone". 

Further details to follow.