Bridge History Society

There is an entrance charge of £4 for each talk - which are held in Bridge Village Hall starting at 7.30pm

September 17, 2026
The QE2 and the Falklands War
David Humphrys
In 1982 Bridge resident David Humphrys was one of the volunteers who crewed the Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 {QE2} when she was requisitioned as a troopship during the Falklands war. In this illustrated talk David presents the inside story of QE2's South Atlantic odyssey. He also surveys the vital role of the Merchant Navy in Britain's successful campaign to recapture the islands.
October 15, 2026
When Kent said No to Napoleon
Mansell Jagger
In 1804 England faced its biggest threat since 1066.0n the coast of Pas de Calais, the Emperor Napoleon had amassed a "Grande Armee" of more than 10,000 men, ready for his "Grand Project" to invade England-the target: the coast of Kent. This is the story of all the great plans and works constructed to stop the Emperor-a close run thing.
November 19, 2026
Living Through Two World Wars - Canterbury 1914-1951
Doreen Rosman
This talk focuses on one person's experience to evoke what it would have been like to live through a period of tumultuous change. As a teenager, a girl born in 1900 would have seen horses commandeered off city streets, been offered jobs previously restricted to men and mourned the deaths of lads she had known at school. The 1940s brought renewed rationing, blackouts, and constant sleep deprivation. The worst of 35 bombing raids flattened the east end of the city.
December 17, 2026
Pluckley, the Making and Faking of a Ghost Story
Ed. Adams
Pluckley has been known as the Most Haunted Village in England, but what are the historical roots of its many legends? Ed. Adams traces Pluckley's colourful past and recent history. His talk has all the twists, intrigues and horrors of any good ghostly tale, except that this one is all true!
January 21, 2027
Bygone Kent
Christine Rayner
Bygone Kent is a treasure trove of the county's history.It includes a captivating mix of lost legends, literary tales and quirky true stories from Kent, packed with charm, intrigue, and unexpected discoveries. Christine Rayner is one of the editors of this popular magazine and will share with us some stories of local interest.
February 18, 2027
The Bayeux Tapestry
Imogen Corrigan
The Bayeux Tapestry remains as vibrant today as it must have been over 900 years ago. Imogen's talk looks at many of the scenes in detail, and explores what might be learned from this depiction of a turning point in our history.
March 18, 2027
Secrets of Old Park
David Reekie
Old Park is Canterbury's greatest secret. It is a haven for birds, insects and butterflies and is part of an important historic landscape, with a history dating from the Palaeolithic age through to WW2. This talk will reveal Old Park's history and why it must be protected and conserved for the people.
April 15, 2027
Castles of the Downs
Jenny Wall
The seven structures called "The Castles of the Downs" were a fortress between Deal and Walmer, commissioned by Henry VIII as part of a ten-year building programme to defend England from invasion from the Catholic powers of Europe. Jenny's talk will trace the history of the building of the fortress, its story through 500 years and what remains today.
May 20, 2027
Arnold Braems 1602-1681: merchant, magistrate and grandee
Tim Reardon
Born into the wealthiest merchant family in Dover, Arnold Braems further enriched himself through successful commerce and support for the Royalist cause during the Cromwellian Commonwealth. Knighted by Charles 2nd he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, elected to Parliament, and chosen as Treasurer of Dover Harbour. He spent much of his fortune building Bridge Place as his imposing country seat. This talk will explore his life, career, and legacy.
June 17, 2027
An Audience with Florence Nightingale
John Drewry
Conducted like a "Chat Show," we invoke Florence Nightingale from the pages of history to talk about her attitudes to nursing and to life in general. There is a great deal more to the Lady with the Lamp than just the Lamp. This 45-minute presentation pulls no punches. In a word, she was formidable, and you the audience, can decide who takes charge of the interview. Presented by professional, costumed actors, with slide support.

Annual General Meeting

The first meeting of the year will be preceded by a short Annual General Meeting.

This will be an opportunity for you to have a say in what you would like the Society to do for you.

Membership

There is no charge for Membership. Members join by subscribing on the web site:-

Newsletters with advance notice of the next events will be sent out by email to all who subscribe.

Bridge and District History Society

The Society was formed in 1995 to promote interest in aspects of local history in and around the villages of Bridge, Barham, Bishopsbourne, Bekesbourne, Kingston and Patrixbourne.

The evening meetings are informal and sociable and include refreshments. Transport and/or escorts can usually be arranged with other members living nearby.

On trips by member’s cars, those without transport can usually be accommodated in spare seats. Please contact the organiser of each event for arrangements.

Talks in the past have included Jane Austen in Kent, Nelson in Kent, Old Ramsgate, John Tom of Bossington Wood, The Star Hill dig at Bridge, The City Gates of Canterbury. Richborough Castle, The Domesday Book, The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, The Green Man, Stained glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury’s medieval hospitals, Bekesbourne Aerodrome, Soldiers of the First World War, Victorian Herne Bay, Bourne Park House, Higham House and Medieval Manuscripts.

This is a small selection of the many talks we have enjoyed over the years. As well as talks our visits have included Bourne Park House, Denton Court, Provender, Cobham Hall, Dode Church, Ypres, Lambeth Palace, Tenterden Railway again a very small selection of the many visits. We also arrange film evenings where we have shown films of Bridge in the 1930s, films of Canterbury in the 1940s, and a selection of old films of Kent.

PLEASE DO NOT contact the Society for genealogical information:
Bridge History Society does not hold any records regarding the family histories of Bridge residents.

ALL historical parish council records have been transferred to the Kent County Archive in Maidstone and all church records to the Cathedral archives.

NB: From 1830, there was a workhouse in Union Road (now The Close). The local registrar lived at 10 Union Road and, in order to spare the embarrassment of relatives, workhouse residents were often recorded as living at that address.