History of the village
Goudhurst and Kilndown Local History Society
The Local History Society was formed in 1964.
The Beresfords of Bedgebury Park Gordon Batchelor
(263 pages A4, illustrated) A past chairman of the Society gives a detailed account of the lives of the Beresford family in the 19th century and of the history of Bedgebury. Copies obtainable from Mrs. Batchelor at Twyssenden Cottage, Priors Heath, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 2RE. 01580 211450
£15.00
Parish Past
(76 pages A5, illustrated). A fascinating account of events in the history of our villages not previously published.
Copies available from Goudhurst Newsagents, Burgess Stores, Crane Bookshop in Cranbrook or direct from the Society 01580 211517
£5.00
The Goudhurst and Kilndown
Millennium Book
William Musgrave
(1184 pages A5, illustrated and with parish map)
A record of the millennium celebrations in Goudhurst and Kilndown together with a wealth of information on the two villages.
A leather-bound edition is also available at £85) Receipts from future sales of this book have generously been donated to the Society by the author. Copies obtainable from the Society.
01580 211517
£40.00
Its aims are:-
• To research and record the history of the two villages
• To preserve and keep safe old documents and artefacts
• To hold meetings during the winter mionths to which speakers on various aspects of local history are invited
Subscription:
The annual subscription is £5. Visitors are charged a fee of £1.50.
New members are welcome.
2009 Programme
3rd March 2009, Curious Kent, Speaker: John Vigar
7th April 2009, AGM, followed by: Where am I in the Parish, Speaker: Rosemary Southon
Officers:
President: Bill Musgrave
Chairman: Bob Brown
Vice-Chairman: Jane Davidson
Secretary: Rosemary Southon
Treasurer: John Benfield
Archivist: Gill Joye
Kent History Society Representative: Gill Joye
Additional Committee Member: David Edwards
Research Projects:
Detailed research projects, either completed or still being worked on, include Percy Mepham’s study of the Local Fire Brigade; Jenny Coutts’ Milestones and Turnpike Roads; Rosemary Southon’s Churchyard Memorials and Bob Brown’s Men and Women on the Village War Memorials (Goudhurst and Kilndown). There is a wealth of information, including many old papers, photographs and documents, in the Society’s archives.
Village Echoes
A short piece is published by the Society each month in the Goudhurst & Kilndown Parish Magazine on a subject of topical historic interest. The piece appears under the heading "Village Echoes" and may be read on the copy of the magazine which is included in this village website (accessed from "magazine" on main menu).
Membership Enquiries:
If you are interested in the history of Goudhurst and Kilndown, please join us.
Enquiries about the Society and its activities may be obtained from the Secretary, Rosemary Southon, on 01580 211791 or the Chairman, Bob Brown, on 01580 211269 (evenings only, please.)
Please take note of time differences if calling by phone from another country.
historysociety@goudhurst.co.uk