About the speaker and the talk: Ex Captain Brian Biggs brings his experiences on tugboats, from Boy to Captain, on the Thames & at Sea to discuss how the Thames has changed over the years. From coal steam to Diesel vessels powered vessels over the years via the East End of London to Oman, to the huge Tankers, Container Ships & Cruise Liners. Brian experiences the changing life of London’s Great River. With a talk & colour slide presentation.

Car sharing weekend to Neufchâtel-Hardelot, with overnight hospitality.

Car sharing weekend to Neufchâtel-Hardelot, with overnight hospitality.

About the Speaker:
Christoph lived in Chalk most of his life and founded Chalk Parish History Group in 1973 whilst still at school. In 2012 he was District Manager of Gravesham and Dartford and Swale Libraries. He has been President of Gravesend Historical Society and was President of Dartford Historical and Antiquarian Society for three years. He is also Municipal Mace Bearer for Gravesham Borough Council, Official Cobham Hall House & Garden guide, and historical advisor to Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council. He says he is a librarian by profession and a local historian by inclination.

Christoph is a local guide and speaker with over 35 years’ experience who has entertained us many times with his light-hearted but informative talks on North West Kent.


About the Talk: A talk uncovering a history that schools have never taught.

Car sharing weekend to Neufchâtel-Hardelot, with overnight hospitality.

Slim’s 14th Army may have been called the ‘Forgotten Army’, but their exploits have become the stuff of legend. The Chindits are right up there in this catalogue of extraordinary achievements. Their troops, against a cruel enemy and in the most atrocious of conditions thousands of miles from home, were soldiers of astonishing courage, cheek, panache and considerable sacrifice. Otford Memorial Hall TN14 5PQ Entry £5 (cash only please) Doors open 6.45pm. Get there early – when we’re full, we’re full! Refreshments available • Fascinating talks held every two months. For more information: Otford@1940.co.uk

About the Speaker:
Bob is a well-known character to most of us. He was born in Sevenoaks so he is a Kentish Man. He attended Sevenoaks School, worked as a journalist and then became Editor of the Sevenoaks Chronicle. He held this post for 20 years.

He is the author of In the Wake of the Hurricane which sold 240,000 copies! It remained in the Best Seller list for eight months. He has written a further twenty books, the proceeds from which have raised over £150,000 for Charity.  Bob also used to have a weekly spot on BBC Radio Kent.

About the Talk: It says it all!

About the speaker:

David lives in St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, and walks, talks and writes about walking, local history and all things 1066. He is a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild and considers that his membership of CAMRA, The Inn Sign Society, The Ramblers and the Long Distance Walkers Association to be a perfect match for walking.

He is the author and creator of 1066 Harold’s Way, a 100mile long distance walk inspired by King Harold’s epic march to the Battle of Hastings, 1066.

About the talk:

With King Harold is down on the South Coast, waiting for an expected invasion by Duke William of Normandy, the north lies unprotected and ripe for invasion by Harald Hardrada’s Vikings. Such riches, such wealth, such land there for the taking and if the Norwegians gets a foothold in England before William it will be much harder for the Duke to gain complete control over the Kingdom.

On September 9th the invasion fleet assembled at the River Tyne in Northumbria to sail down the coast to the Humber. Any rumours of civilised Vikings are far from the truth it is revealed. It is as if the clock has been turned back nearly 300 hundred years as towns south along the Northumbrian coast are sacked and ravaged. Viking by name, Viking by nature as the old saying goes. Battle lines are drawn, first at Fulford Gate and later at Stamford Bridge,
battles that led to the death of Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson and preceded the Battle of Hastings.

This talk reviews the battles and their unforeseen and devastating effect
on the events of 1066.