Note: This Group has moved from the Tin Tabernacle to The Shed in the High Street, Hythe. Click the Venue link above for details.

The first half hour of the meeting is normally taken up with general talking about the group. Planned future visits to historical places of interest and anything else on the agenda. The meeting is then normally given over to members giving Presentations to the rest of the group.

A presentation can be about anything, providing it has a local connection and is historical. It can be about a place, a person, or an event. We started off by saying “local” is in Shepway, but we soon ran out of subjects. So we now define “local” as anywhere in Kent, or an event/person with even a tenuous Kent connection, which gives us plenty of scope. We have recently changed our themes by doing presentations on local Road/Street names: why they are so called or who they are named after.

It is not compulsory to give presentations, but we do like members to take part, and if everyone does two presentations a year it fills the sessions over the year. A presentation can take a couple of minutes, or some can take 15 to 20.

I know lots of people don’t like public speaking, but presenters can deliver from where they are seated, stand or sit at the front, or use the laptop table. It is a small and compact group, so a microphone is not required. A few well-chosen photos/maps/illustrations put up on the screen can add clarity and interest. The Group Leader can help with preparing slides if required.

There is a refreshment break after about an hour. Members normally bring their own tea or coffee in a thermos or a cold drink, but there is a kettle in the kitchen. We take it in turns to provide biscuits for all members.

During the summer, we organise trips out to visit local places of historical interesting in the past. Amongst other destinations, we have visited the Hawkinge Aeronautical Museum, Crabble Corn Mill and Winchelsea Cellars.

We are a friendly group and everyone gets on with each other and enjoys the meetings.