Annual General Meeting

The AGM seems to attract around 60 members, a distinct improvement on the occasion a few years ago when it had to be postponed because not enough attended to form a quorum! Hopefully the policy of holding the meeting in a limited number of central locations, alternately in east and west Kent, having a lecture in the afternoon and, more recently, a presentation by one of the committees, is proving popular.

The meeting took place at Christ Church University College, Canterbury on the 15th May. Before and after the meeting members could look at displays by local societies and others, such as KCC Heritage Conservation Group and stalls selling books.

All the Officers were re-elected and the elections to the Council saw Denis Anstey, Pat Harlow and Dr Bob Spain re-elected. Prof. David Killingray and Anita Thompson retired from the Council.

Dr Spain, Chairman of the Library & Muniments Committee, gave a presentation on the work of the Committee assisted by the Hon. Librarian, Dr Frank Panton. No doubt some members were surprised by the scope of its responsibilities which include not only the library but also the Society’s archives and paintings, its collection of artifacts in Maidstone Museum and the web sites.

In the afternoon Jill Eddison gave members and guests a fascinating illustrated lecture on the history of Romney Marsh. She covered how it emerged from the waters of the English Channel and its communities developed, as well as other aspects of its history and concluded with a description of some of the research undertaken there.