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A schoolgirl's view of life during the Second World War will be presented by Mary Smith, an author and former headteacher, at Newington History Group’s next meeting on Thursday, October 10th (7:30pm).
Her talk, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the start of the war, brings first-hand recollections of pupils who experienced disrupted schooling, air raids and attending their lessons in shelters.
The group meets monthly on the second Thursday, excluding January and August, in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane ME9 7JT.
It seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15; guests (£3) are welcome.
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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This weekend brings a unique opportunity to meet archaeologists responsible for excavating a Roman small town at Newington.
They will be at ‘Newington Uncovered’, a Heritage Open Days event organised by Newington History Group, that brings to life 2000 years of village history.
This year’s event includes the first public exhibition of the recently excavated Roman settlement in the heart of the village. Archaeologists who worked on the site will bring artefacts and talk about the significance of the excavation.
‘Newington Uncovered’ is also an opportunity to discover the secrets of Newington’s medieval church and find out about the village’s history through displays, activities and talking with volunteer researchers.
Entrance is FREE and there are activities for adults and children. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the WWI Peace celebrations of 1919, you can even use ‘People Power’ to send a message into the future!
‘Newington Uncovered’ is at St. Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Newington on Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm both days.
Sue Flipping - Newington History Group
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Are stories true about there being an atom bomb in Chatham during the Cold War? Even today there are people who find it hard to believe or know nothing about the event.
You can get the answer when Graham Dudley explains the mystery at Newington History Group’s meeting on Thursday, September 12th (7:30pm) and tells what really happened.
The group meets monthly in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, Newington ME9 7JT, on the second Thursday, excluding January and August.
It seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15; guests (£3) are welcome.
The remains of a 2,000-year-old Romano-Celtic temple recently excavated at Newington have been saved by Newington History Group.
The foundations have been removed - days before they would have been permanently lost beneath the development at Watling Place - with the aim of rebuilding them in the village as an educational heritage attraction.
NHG is excited and proud to have rescued Watling Place Temple in the nick of time. The stones were lifted a few days ago and are now in storage.
Measurements and photographs taken before the foundations were removed will enable the flints to be re-laid in the village in the correct alignment and to the original design.
We're so grateful to SWAT Archaeology who are helping us and to everyone whose interest in the excavation gave 'weight' to the proposal.
Visit NHG's Roman exhibition at Newington Uncovered, part of the national Heritage Open Days event, at St. Mary's church on September 14th and 15th (2pm-5pm).
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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On Saturday (June 15th), Newington will mark 100 years since the official end of the Great War with a special Peace Day Celebration led by the village's History Group (NHG).
The event will be incorporated into the annual St Mary's parish church Summer Fete from 2:00pm in the church and its grounds.
It will see the launch of Newington's 'Peace Tree' and time capsule project, a fitting tribute by pupils of Newington CEP, themed community activities and an exhibition compiled by NHG.
In 1919, the village gathered for a Peace Day and to honour its men who fought in the war. Most of the 131 who survived the conflict attended and received a souvenir gift.
To commemorate the occasion NHG has produced limited edition Peace Day mugs which will be available at £3.50 each.
The church's traditional village fete will include a family pets competition, a display of historic working farm machinery, new-born lambs, entertainment, games, tombola, strawberries and cream teas and more.
For more details contact:
Peace Day: 01795 842711 or newingtonhistorygroup@outlook.com
Fete - David Lane: 01795 842478 or laneatborden@btinternet.com
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Tales of smuggling that was rife in Kent between the early 1600s and mid-1800s will be told at Newington History Group's meeting on Thursday, June 13th in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane ME9 7JT at 7:30pm.
Peter Ewart's illustrated talk will tell of violence and treachery, and about the local creeks and buildings that notorious gangs used for their contraband.
The history group's Facebook page includes videos of last month's Iron Age and Roman excavations and its website has details of other projects.
The group meets on the second Thursday of the month. It seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
See an excavated small Roman town …
One of the most significant sites in Kent
Newington’s Iron Age and Roman site open for public viewing for only one day at a free event on Thursday, May 23rd, 10:00am - 4:00pm, at Watling Place (Persimmon Homes site), 99 High Street, Newington ME9 7JJ.
The excavations can be made public now that all the artefacts have been removed and the site’s features recorded. This is your only opportunity to see what’s been revealed before a new housing estate covers the area.
You’ll be able to see a Romano-Celtic temple - such temples are so rare that they are considered to be of national importance. Also, rare Iron Age bloomer furnaces and Roman pottery kilns in situ, and a main Roman road.
There are three access points. Via the marketing suite for adults only, with entry every 30 minutes from 10:00am (last entry 3:00pm), or for adults and children from the public footpaths at Iwade Road (opp. the church) and A2 (opp. Eden Meadow) to a viewing terrace at any time during open hours. Only adults in hi-vis jackets can go from the terrace to the excavation area.
Newington History Group (NHG) is publicising the Open Day on behalf of SWAT Archaeology, who are responsible for co-ordinating the event and ensuring public safety on the construction site. Hi-vis jackets and hard hats are available from the marketing suite, but bringing your own would assist us.
Access to the site is entirely at the discretion of Persimmon Homes.
We regret there is no access for people with mobility issues or who are visually impaired.
An on-site cafe will be selling lunches and refreshments.
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Sue Flipping, a funeral celebrant from Upchurch, will be looking at the changes to funerals across the centuries in her talk, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, to Newington History Group in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, ME9 7JT, on Thursday, May 9th at 7:30pm.
The evening will include the group's AGM.
NHG, which meets on the second Thursday of the month, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Guests (£3) are welcome to attend but will not be able to vote at the annual meeting. An annual subscription is £15.
Andrew Wood will talk about Old Kent Windmills at Newington History Group's meeting in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, ME9 7JT, on Thursday, April 11th at 7:30pm.
It precedes next month's annual National Mills Weekend (May 11th-12th) when four of the county's remaining windmills and one watermill will open to the public.
The group, which meets on the second Thursday of the month, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
Or call: 01795 842711
Follow on: Twitter and Facebook
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Most people living in Newington, Upchurch and Lower Halstow know that the villages were once major centres of brickmaking, but fewer know details of the industry, why it flourished here and why it declined.
Dave Burton will talk about the villages' brickfields at Newington History Group's meeting on Thursday, March 14th at 7:30pm.
The group, which meets on the second Thursday of the month in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, seeks to unearth, record, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Spend an evening reviving memories or finding out about the past when Colin Harvey presents Kent Remembered at Newington History Group's meeting on Thursday, February 14th at 7:30pm.
Colin will show how mechanised farming, foreign travel and other events have helped to changed life in county. He'll stir memories of steam trains that brought holidaymakers to the coast and Cockneys who picked the hops and fruit.
The group, which meets on the second Thursday of the month in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
Or call: 01795 842711
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Topics covering a wide range of historic interest are covered during the year and anyone can attend - you don't have to live in Newington.
Apart from guest speakers and visits, NHG will be organising Newington Uncovered, the village's annual Heritage Open Days on September 14 and 15, and will be involved in the 100th anniversaries of the First World War Peace Day Celebrations in June and war memorial unveiling in September.
The group meets in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, at 7:30pm on the second Thursday of the month, excluding January and August. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
We're interested in hearing stories and memories about people and places linked to the village. We can offer advice and assistance to people researching family and local history. As a member you can help us unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas.
For more details contact: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk
Or call: 01795 842711
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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The group covers a wide range of topics of general interest to people in Newington, Upchurch, Lower Halstow and further afield. Guests (£3) are welcome or you can become a member for £15pa.
The group meets in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, Newington, at 7:30pm on the second Thursday of the month, excluding January and August.
These are the scheduled events for the next year:
January - No meeting
February 14th - Kent Remembered - Our changing county with Colin Harvey
March 14th - Brick making with Dave Burton
April 11th - Old Kent Windmills with Andrew Wood
May 9th - AGM & Social plus Always Look on the Bright Side of Life with Sue Flipping
June 13th - Smuggling in Kent with Peter Ewart
June TBA - WWI Peace Day Celebrations at St Mary’s Church, 2:00pm
July 11th - Visit: The Great Lines, Chatham (members and their guests only)
August - No meeting
September 12th - The Atom Bomb at Chatham with Graham Dudley
September 14th & 15th - Heritage Open Days at St Mary’s Church, 2:00pm - 5;00pm
October 10th - A Schoolgirl’s War (WW2) with Mary Smith
November 10th - Remembrance Sunday at St Mary’s Church,10:00am
November 14th - Tales of Historic Items told by NHG members
December 12th - Christmas Social (members and their guests only)
For more details about the group:
Call: 01795 842711
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A full week of Remembrance events in Newington marking 100 years since the end of World War One starts on Sunday when 50 large poppies will be attached to lampposts along the A2 and Church Lane. Each flower represents a villager who fell during conflicts in the last century.
The tribute is being made by Newington History Group (NHG) for the third successive year.
The group holds its monthly meeting on Thursday, (Nov 8th) when June Faulkner will talk about the Kent child evacuees who were displaced by another war, WW2. The talk is at 7:30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, and welcomes guests.
The village will be a refreshment stop on Friday (Nov 9th) for 100 veterans and Service personnel who are walking 100 miles from the Menin Gate, Ypres, to the Cenotaph in Whitehall to commemorate the 100 years. Called the Long Walk Home, it's organised by Haig Housing charity.
They are expected to come through Newington High Street between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, taking a break at the village hall.
The main event of the week will be the village's participation in the national commemorative Battle's Over event on Remembrance Sunday, November 11th.
Following the annual service and wreath laying at the church at 10:00am, NHG will hold a community event in the church and churchyard from 6:00pm until 7:30pm.
Attended by Paul Auston, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent; Cllr Ken Ingleton, Deputy Mayor of Swale; and Royal Engineers, it will be a non-religious event that will include a tribute by Newington CEP School pupils, a WWI exhibition, music and a special outdoor light display.
Along with Upchurch, Lower Halstow and other villages, towns and cities across the country, Newington will light a beacon at 7:00pm and follow it with the church bells ringing out the peace.
The Newington beacon is uniquely sited on a former WWI gun emplacement at Wormdale Farm. The site formed an inland defence line constructed by the Army in 1915 to halt any invading German advance on London.
The surrounding trenches, tunnels, pillboxes and barbed wire led to it being described as Kent's Somme. These were the only UK defences built for action rather than training purposes.
In time for the 100th anniversary, the book 'Newington Remembers - Our village and it's people at the time of the Great War' has been updated and re-printed. It's available from the group, priced £10.
NHG, which meets monthly on the second Thursday and organises other special events, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Subs £15, guests £3.
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Willow baskets were made in Newington 100 years ago to carry cherries and other fruit grown in the village. It was one of several ancient crafts that have all but disappeared from the area along with malthouses, oast and hop kilns.
Learn more about these local rural crafts when Rochester historian James Preston gives a talk at Newington History Group's (NHG) meeting on Thursday, October 11th, at 7:30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane.
The NHG book, ‘Newington Remembers - our village and its people at the time of the Great War’, has been updated and re-printed. It’s available from the group, priced £10.
NHG seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. It meets monthly on the second Thursday and an annual subscription is £15. Guests (£3) are welcome at the meetings.
Who were Edna Woodruff, Harriet Dowling and Elizabeth Wickham? They were women who had extraordinary lives: Edna being a World War Two code runner, Lady Harriet a 19th century traveller, and Elizabeth a philanthropist. And all three came from Newington.
A special exhibition featuring their stories and those of other remarkable local women will form part of Newington Uncovered - a look at the village's rich heritage in the parish church at weekend (Sept 8th and 9th) between 2:00pm and 5:00pm. It's organised by Newington History Group (NHG) and linked to the national Heritage Open Days.
The free event marks 100 years since women aged over 30 won the right to vote.
In addition to the exhibition, visitors will be able to see the rarely displayed 500-year-old parish chest, stunning medieval murals and graffiti, and locally found Roman artefacts, find out about the village's historic links with Australia and royalty, hear about the group’s continuing World War One research and receive advice about researching a family tree.
A topical talk called There's a Light ... a Burning Message will be delivered by three group members at the monthly meeting on Thursday, September 13th (7:30pm) in the village's Methodist Hall.
This is a change to the previously advertised event - a visit to the Great Lines, Chatham, which has been re-arranged for next year.
NHG meets on the second Thursday of the month (except January and August) in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, Newington, at 7:30pm. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome at the meetings.
For more information visit: www.newingtonhistorygroup.btck.co.uk
Follow the History Group on Twitter: @newingtonhg
Telephone: 01795 842711
Email: newingtonhistorygroup@outlook.com
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Newington Uncovered is organised by Newington History Group as part of the National Heritage Open Days.
Discover the secrets of Newington and its medieval church
Special exhibition commemorating our extraordinary women
At St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Newington on Saturday the 8th and 9th of September from 2:00pm until 5:00pm.
FREE Entry - Refreshments available
Find medieval murals and graffiti
Ask about tracing your family history
Take a trip into the tower
See displays on local history
Follow a self-guided heritage walk
Activities and challenges for children and adults
The history of Newington told by those who live here
For more details contact Thelma Dudley
Telephone: 01795 842711
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Have you a memory or story about village life in Newington? Share it with members of Newington History Group (NHG) at their Newington Village Festival stall on the school field on Saturday (July 7) from Noon until 6pm.
Have a chat with members and find out more about the group and its varied activities, including the Heritage Open Days (Sept 8-9) and WWI centenary commemorations (Nov 11). Members will also be able to give you advice about genealogical research.
NHG will be visiting the Gunpowder Mills in Faversham on Thursday, July 12. This visit is limited to members.
Join us in unearthing, preserving and promoting the history of the village and neighbouring areas. The group meets monthly on the second Thursday, except January and August, in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane and an annual subscription is £15. Guests (£3) are welcome at the regular meetings.
For more details contact Thelma Dudley on 01795 842711 or
Email: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk
View the website: www.newingtonhistorygroup.btck.co.uk or follow the History Group on Twitter: @newingtonhg
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Hear some Tales of the (Medway) Riverbank from Dave Burton at Newington History Group's meeting on Thursday, June 14, at 7:30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane. The Gillingham historian's illustrated talk will reveal his considerable knowledge of the Medway estuary.
If you're interested in researching your family history you can seek advice by visiting the group's tent at the village festival on Saturday, July 7, on the school field between noon and 6:00pm.
Come and share stories and memories of local life. You'll also be able to find out more about the group and its varied activities, including the Heritage Open Days (September 8-9) and WWI centenary commemorations (November 11).
Join us in unearthing, preserving and promoting the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Newington History Group meets monthly on the second Thursday and an annual subscription is £15. Guests (£3) are welcome at the meetings.
Newington History Group holds its annual meeting and social evening on Thursday, May 10th, when villagers Valerie and Philip Jewess will give details about recent archaeological finds in their garden, which is believed to have been part of a Roman settlement alongside what is now the A2.
The group meets monthly on the second Thursday in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, Newington ME9 7JT at 7:30pm. It seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas.
Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.
For more details contact Thelma Dudley on 01795 842711
Email: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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