ALT About the talk: On Christmas Eve of 1830, a huge crowd assembled on Penenden Heath to witness the execution of William and Henry Packman, two young brothers from Blean (near Canterbury), and William Dyke, from Bearsted. The same day, seven prisoners were removed from Dover Town Gaol and taken to a convict ship for transportation to Australia. The draconian sentences were part of attempts to repress a massive movement of agricultural labourers that was sweeping southern, eastern and central England. Known today as Captain Swing – the signature on menacing letters sent to farmers and landowners – the movement was a rebellion against poverty, unemployment, threshing machines and the workhouse. In this talk, John Bulaitis outlines events in Kent which were crucial in the genesis and evolution of the Swing revolt. John Bulaitis' book, 'The Tithe War in England and Wales, 1881-1936', won the 2025 Joan Thirsk Memorial Prize for the best book on British and Irish rural history.

ALT Shown here are entries from a nominal register recording male and female admissions to Maidstone Prison [ref. PR/Md/3/2/2] Among those offending on the 21st July 1884: - Ellen, a 16 year old fieldworker. In Chatham, she committed the offence of being drunk and was sentenced to 5 days of hard labour or pay 9/-. - John, a 52 year old gardener. In Malling, he committed the offence of stealing potatoes and was sentenced to 14 days of hard labour or pay 18/6. - John, a 28 year old soldier. In Sheerness, he committed the offence of murder and was 'detained during Her Majesty's pleasure'. A note states that he was later 'removed to Broadmoor'. - David, a 30 year old labourer. In Tunbridge Wells, he committed the offences of vagrancy/neglecting his family and was sentenced to 1 month of hard labour. - William, a 57 year old labourer. In Tunbridge Wells, he committed the offence of being drunk and disorderly and was sentenced to 10 days of hard labour.

ALT Shown here is an albumen photograph capturing young and senior members of Maidstone Swimming Club. It lists the club's captain as F. Griffin and the sub-captain as A. Hastie. Created by the London Photographic Co. (Maidstone and Sittingbourne), 1893 [ref. U3360/P2/2] [Archives@Kent] is the quarterly newsletter published by Kent Archives and Local History Service, Maidstone. From publicising newly catalogued material to exploring documents in detail and sharing information about upcoming events, our newsletters can be delivered straight to your email inbox or accessed at www.kentarchives.org.uk/archive-newsletter Have yet to subscribe? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to add you to our mailing list – Email: [email protected] Telephone: 03000 420 673

ALT Shown here is a scrapbook of ephemera pertaining to the Maidstone Ladies’ Speakers’ Club, 1983–1990 [ref. Ch146/M2/1] It was necessary to remount much of the scrapbook's contents owing to the compiler's use of Blu Tack – a temporary adhesive putty which can fuse to documents and leave an oily residue if left in situ. We carefully removed this using a spatula, scalpel and tweezers. Whilst we used polyester corners to secure the photographs, we opted for a type of Japanese tissue called Tengu to remount the paper ephemera. Made from kozo (bark fibre from paper mulberry) and weighing only 5 gsm, Tengu can be purchased as a 15 mm tape conveniently pre-coated in a water activated starch adhesive. Tearing as opposed to cutting Japanese tissue creates a feathered edge that blends with a document's fibres for a discreet repair. Japanese tissue is also used for mending tears, reinforcing weaknesses, infilling losses, backing fragile documents, hinging loose material and mounting for display.

ALT Shown here are ladies from the Boughton Monchelsea group of the Trefoil Guild, exploring one of our Strong Rooms during a behind-the-scenes tour at Kent Archives, Maidstone. Wednesday 20th May 2026

ALT Shown here is Dr Mark Bateson (Engagement Officer) with ladies from the Boughton Monchelsea group of the Trefoil Guild. They're photographed at the entrance to our Search Room during a behind-the-scenes tour at Kent Archives, Maidstone. Wednesday 20th May 2026

ALT Shown here are ladies from the Boughton Monchelsea group of the Trefoil Guild, standing with our van during a behind-the-scenes tour at Kent Archives, Maidstone. Wednesday 20th May 2026

ALT Shown here is an exterior view of Wye Heritage Centre. Saturday 20th June 2026

ALT Shown here is the exhibition space at Wye Heritage Centre. Here you'll find a display of artefacts relating to Wye College and the parish. Among these includes the ancient parish chest in which the so-called 'Old Book of Wye' was rediscovered. This is one of the earliest known volumes of churchwardens' accounts (covering the period 1515-1663). It is now held at Canterbury Cathedral Archives, among the St. Gregory and St. Martin parish records. Saturday 20th June 2026

ALT Shown here is a photograph of the Search Room at Kent Archives. We're based at Kent History and Library Centre on James Whatman Way, Maidstone. Our Search Room is equipped with climate controls designed to preserve our collections whilst they are being accessed by the public, with the added bonus of keeping the space pleasantly cool during the summer months. We’re open to the public from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Documents can be ordered until 4pm, and we kindly ask that anything being viewed is returned to the Search Room Supervisor no later than 4:45pm, ensuring our team has enough time to return items to the strong rooms before closing. We advise booking a desk to avoid disappointment. However, we are happy to accommodate non‑booked readers if space allows. To book your visit, contact us at [email protected] — we’ll be happy to check our desk availability and guide you through the process of being authorised to access our collections.

ALT Shown here is a pendant seal with silk cords from an inspeximus of original royal letters patent dated at Westminster, 24th October, 1 Henry [V, 1413], 1423-1424 [ref. Ly/5/1/5] About the talk: What comes to mind first, at first glance of an ancient document or book? That it’s an incredible survivor? That the handwriting is tiny, beautiful, or in an unfamiliar language? That it may be embellished with illuminated letters with gorgeous colours of deep pigments and burnished gold? That there’s a surviving seal or even multiple seals? For the textile lover however, focus on these wonderful things can fade when encountering the tantalising addition of an original ribbon, braid or embroidered seal bag and the thoughts of how, where, and by whom it was made. Sue Lamberton is an independent scholar with a particular interest in the silkwomen of London, who demonstrates, teaches and makes silk textiles for museums and historic sites, the performing arts industry and living history.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of the left-hand display cabinet outside the Search Room at Kent Archives and Local History Service, Maidstone. It currently contains a display curated to celebrate the National Year of Reading, including original manuscripts by John Donne, Robert Burns, Agatha Christie and Siegfried Sassoon. To decorate the cabinet, we’ve added miniature bunting inspired by the blue plaques affixed to buildings that indicate a notable person’s connection to a place. Our plaques shine a spotlight on literary figures and their links to locations across Kent.

ALT Shown here is a sepia photographic negative capturing a scene of caravans and trucks parked at Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, 13th May 1966 [collection ref. KHLC-2018/56]. Photograph copyright KM Media Group Ltd. About the talk: Kent has the UK’s biggest Gypsy/Traveller population and was at the forefront of efforts to address the accommodation crisis facing these communities in the post-war period. This talk will examine the impact and implementation of the 1960 and 1968 (Pt. II) Caravan Acts in Kent, focusing especially on Maidstone, and will use local authority and press sources to consider the factors determining who, where and how itinerants were accommodated and their enduring impacts at the local level. Dr David Smith is a Reader in Social Policy. His research aims to document the experience of minority and underprivileged communities including Roma, Gypsies and Travellers, foreign workers in the NHS, and working class localities affected by public policy and housing development.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of Sir Hugh Garrard Tyrwhitt Drake (1881-1964) flanked by two well-groomed horses. It's taken from the cover of his 1936 book, 'Beasts and circuses: being a few experiences during many years of wild animal keeping and intimate connection with circuses and shows' [ref. BK/C150608018] Discover more about Tyrwhitt‑Drake’s life and long association with Maidstone in Gareth Brown’s latest newsletter article – part of his 'Tales from the Vehicle Licensing Registers' series. [Archives@Kent] is the quarterly newsletter published by Kent Archives and Local History Service, Maidstone. From publicising newly catalogued material to exploring documents in detail and sharing information about upcoming events, our newsletters can be delivered straight to your email inbox or accessed at www.kentarchives.org.uk/archive-newsletter Have yet to subscribe? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to add you to our mailing list – Email: [email protected] Telephone: 03000 420 673

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Mike, Lindsay, Victoria, Caitlin and James from the Kent Libraries and Archives teams, collecting litter along the towpath leading to the Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Georgia, Jodie, Abigail, Millie, Sheelagh and Alice from the Kent Libraries and Archives teams, collecting litter in the vicinity of Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Hannah, Gareth, Mark and Lara from the Kent Archives team, collecting litter in the tree-covered area between James Whatman Way and Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph capturing just a few of the numerous bags of rubbish that were collected during the litter pick. After completing the litter pick, we contacted Maidstone Borough Council and informed them of the waste's location, to ensure quick collection by the refuse team.