Ide Hill Society Events 2020
Announcement: all Ide Hill Society events have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Overview
Talks
Numbers for talks are to guide us and there is normally plenty of room so do come even if you haven’t indicated and please feel free to bring guests.
- Mar 25th AGM, Air Ambulance
- Apr 15th Japanese Railway Man
- May 20th The Royal Yacht
- Oct 21st The Great War
- Nov 18th Sevenoaks History
Visits
- Jun 5th Hospital Corners Tour
- Jun 25th West Hoathly Tour
- Sept 16th Westerham Brewery Tour
2020 Programme
Mar 25th Wed 8pm AGM and Air Ambulance talk in the Village Hall
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance will tell us about the amazing work that is being undertaken by this charity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It will advise how their work is made possible, and give you some “behind the scenes” insights into the service.
Apr 15th Wed 8pm Japanese Railway Man talk in the Village Hall
Margaret Sargent will tell the story of her father Charles Steel, who had the misfortune to take
part in two great military disasters of the Second World War, the retreat of the BEF leading to the Dunkirk
evacuation and the Fall of Singapore. Within days of being captured by the Japanese, he began writing a
weekly letter to his new bride describing the horrors of working on the infamous Burma-Siam railway and
construction of the Bridge over the River Kwai.
May 20th Wed 8pm The Royal Yacht talk in the Village Hall
Commander John Prichard served as an Engineer Officer in in a wide variety of ships, including the Royal Yacht, and as the Executive Officer of the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose, and Technical Naval Attaché at the British Embassy, Paris. He will also talk about his role as Project Officer for the new Yacht proposed by John Major in 1997, but cancelled by Tony Blair.
Jun 5th Fri 10am Hospital Corners guided walk
A guided walk along the South Bank, with Blue Guide, Sarah Fordham, from the rejuvenated London Bridge station where St. Thomas’s Hospital began to its home today west of Waterloo Bridge – where there will be an opportunity to visit the Florence Nightingale Museum (optional). This area is the home of hospitals, theatres, entertainment and local government, where old warehouses can be found sitting next to the latest glass buildings.
June 25th Thurs 12 noon West Hoathly visit
After lunch at The Cat Inn, once part of the estate of Thomas Sackville, we shall have an afternoon guided tour (a couple of hours) of this historic Wealden village, including the 11th century church, subject to weddings/funerals, and the 15th century Priest House. [20 maximum]
July 12th Sun 12 noon Summer Party
Drinks and canapés at the Old Vicarage. Please bring a plate of savoury or sweet canapés.
Sep 16th Wed 7pm Westerham Brewery visit
A two hour private exclusive tour of Westerham Brewery and a tutored tasting of five 1/3 pints of beer. Other drinks and crisp snacks available at the bar
Oct 21st Wed 8pm ‘Overlooked’ 1918 Victory talk in the Village Hall
Ian Walker who amused us with his talk WWI Words and Wit will return to talk about the 100 Days, which began on August 8th 1918.
Nov 18th Wed 8pm Kent in the 19th Century talk in the Village Hall
Bob Ogley, former Editor of the Sevenoaks Chronicle, author of many books about Kent and the 2nd World War and local resident, returns to tell us stories and anecdotes about events and personalities in the County generally and particularly Sevenoaks and district.
If you have a query about an event, then please contact the Hon Sec, Trudy Fleming: idehillsociety.trudy@btinternet.com
Booking form
Download the booking form here.