Conference in Kent - Dr David Starkey 17/10/09

   On Saturday we travelled back to our roots to attend a conference organised by the Kent Archaeological Society. The focus was on ancient buildings, their construction and evolution in Kent. I had a chance to speak to one of the experts about the Sea Cadet HQ in Faversham, where I grew up and learnt a lot about boats. I always knew TS Hazard was a very old building with huge beams, and as boys we were told that its origins were as a sailmaker's loft. Well, I now know that it dates from 1360 and was probably used initially for warehousing or commerce, located on the town wharf in Conduit Street - fascinating. Here is a picture taken from the road. The keynote speaker was Dr David Starkey, famous for his historical TV programmes, who spoke about Ightham Mote, an ancient manor house, which was purchased by one of Henry VII's courtiers. He spoke at length about Sir Richard Clement's role in the courts of both Henry VII and Henry VIII, giving an incisive view of the near gangland behaviour of noblemen in those days. We even persuaded him to have a picture taken with Edwina.