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ANN FUREDI

Who could possibly imagine that the matter of a path’s name could become so complicated, contentious and difficult to resolve? Not to say divisive!

It seemed so straightforward. Two months or so ago, some of our long-standing members asked the Faversham Society to support the trustees of the Old Grammar School charity in their effort to resist a name change to the path on which the school sits. The path, part of Kent County Council’s registered footpath ZF8, was – according to the Old Grammar School Trustees – part of what had been traditionally referred to as the Shooting Meadows Path. It was their address – and now they had learnt that the council were to rename it Queen Matilda’s Walk. They were outraged. We were outraged, for reasons I explained in our March newsletter, and Faversham residents were outraged.

The Faversham Society started an online petition, which we announced on local Facebook sites such as Faversham Matters, and were staggered by the response. More than 900 signatures were collected and people posted story after story of growing up “scampering around” The Shoots (pronounced Shuts as in “puts”, not “boots”) – a lovely record and reinforcement of collective memory.

The desired outcome, when we started, did not seem “a big ask”. No one was asking for the path to be formally “named” or signposted as the Shooting Meadows Path. The only request was that it not be named something else. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, first there are technical disputes: claims and counter claims about where the original Shooting Meadows Path starts and ends. Last month Laurence Young made an elegant case in support of councillors’ claims that only the long part of the path was known as the Shoots. Others disagree.

And now – to mix up the muddle even more – there’s a new suggestion that the contested area be named after a different Queen, Elizabeth I.

Then there are disagreements about which local council is responsible for which decision, and disagreements about process. As if this isn’t confusing enough, there are disagreements about the motives of everyone involved – especially as we get closer to local elections.

The Faversham Society is decidedly not a political body. It embraces members of all political views and none. For us, this matter has always been about the recognition of and respect for our local history – the tradition of a name rooted in a place where men learnt the shooting skills they would be called on to use to defend their communities and way of life.

We have no doubt that the councillors and the executive that supports them have acted in good faith and in such a way that they believed was the best for our community. We have never questioned their integrity or good intent only the wisdom of, what seems on the surface, a small decision: the (re)naming of a footpath.

Perhaps this would be good time for us all to lay down our bows and arrows. There seems little need for formalities, consultations and certainly no need for entrenching on this, when there is so much else to do in our town.

Our request now is can we all walk away from this – leave the Old Grammar School address unchanged, the path as it was and let people call it what they will as they enjoy its spring beauty.

Editor’s note: I have been asked: “Who are the Old Grammar School trustees?” They are a matter of public record and listed online by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on the link below.

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5068438

CONTACT ANN

Open Faversham dates added

LEIGH ALLISON

Here’s the latest list of events planned for Open Faversham, which runs from Saturday, 24 May, to Sunday, 1 June.

The museum will have two exhibitions running. Terrific Toys, curated by our youngest volunteer, which will take young and old visitors alike on a trip down memory lane.

A display will also celebrate 60 years since the archaeological dig at Faversham Abbey and the Roman villa. We will be showcasing never-seen-before colour photographs taken in 1965 at the dig site.

Come along and learn more about the abbey that once dominated the town.

Two history events will be held at the Assembly Rooms. On Tuesday, 27 May, what promises to be a lively discussion will be led by four diverse speakers, about whether our local history matters, and if its relevant in the town of 2025.

On Wednesday, 28 May, Henry Cleary will repeat his popular talk by about the history of Pollocks Shipyard during the Second World War.

There are also three specially themed guided walks to enjoy. On Monday, 26 May, a gunpowder walk down to the Chart Mills. On Wednesday, 28 May, a walk around to learn about the history of Faversham Creek. On Friday, 30 May, Henry Cleary will be taking part in a walk around the site of the shipyard.

Our busy town walk guides are doing their regular Saturday morning walks and on the final Sunday will be taking part in an active travel initiative at the Recreation Ground. Last but not least, Jennifer Dinsmore and Nick Mengham will be repeating their walks about the geology under our feet in the streets of Faversham.

More details on all this will be online at OpenFaversham.info and in the leaflet that should be arriving through local letterboxes soon.

• The society is running a series of themed guided walks this year, including a gunpowder walk that will include a visit to Chart Mills (pictured). This, we hope, will attract more people to visit the mills, although we are not yet able to open Chart Mills every Saturday across the summer this year, as we have done in the past. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved in looking after this important heritage site.

volunteer@favershamsociety.org

Polish pilot’s RAF role

NEIL TONGE

Join us for a captivating evening of living history with Marek Stefanicki, dressed in an authentic reproduction of a wartime uniform, who brings to life the story of a Second World War Polish airman in the RAF.

From the Polish Air Force to the French Air Force, and finally to the RAF, Marek’s portrayal covers the journey of a combat pilot who later became Air Adjutant (ADC) to General Władysław Sikorski, prime minister of the Polish Government in Exile and Commander in Chief Polish Armed Forces in Exile.

His detailed backstory, spanning 1939 to 1945, is based on historical facts and the experiences of his own family. Adding another dimension to the evening, Marek’s wife will share her perspective, enriching the narrative with a personal touch.

This talk, at the Alexander Centre, Preston Street, at 7pm on 1 May, is a must-see for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the personal stories of those who lived through the Battle of Britain and the Second World War. Tickets cost £6.

Carnival mystery solved

CHRISTINE RAYNER

In the March newsletter I posed the question: who is this Faversham carnival queen and her court?

The photograph was one of many I have rescued from the files of the late lamented Faversham Times, which I edited for more than 30 years. The pictures, I thought, were from the early 1970s – before Associated Kent Newspapers bought the Times and two sister titles from Elvy & Gibb.

Nigel Mannouch, who has a large collection of carnival programmes has proved this to be the case. The 1974 carnival queen is Carol Upton, accompanied by her princesses (from left) Linda Foord, Denise Wildish and Jeanne Hogben. Who remembers this carnival?

I hope to curate an exhibition of press photographs from that and later eras. Watch this space!

Small scrap of fabric with such a tale to tell

JENNIFER SHIPMAN

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In the costume department we are always thinking about the next exhibition. As with all museums, there is far more behind the scenes than we can display, all packed away in boxes and drawers.

Most of the clothes need to be steamed to puff up the fibres and remove creases. Some need to be washed and ironed; and all must be checked against their written histories – and for those wretched clothes moths.

Among a wonderful mixed collection of items, recently given to us, was a piece of fabric that we shall be putting on show later in the year. On the selvedge (finished, non-fraying edge) of the fabric, where the printed design does not reach, is a clue to the fabric’s history: the words “Rup. Davids and Sons”.

Calico and chintz originated in India, based on a plain weave cotton and with an all-over printed design. Calico, is a lightweight cotton for dresses, chintz is a heaver fabric used extensively for drapes and upholstery.

Rupert Davids (1724-90) was a calico printer and engraver based in Crayford, Kent. Crayford was considered an ideal site for calico printing possessing an abundant water supply for fabric bleaching, space, and proximity both to central London – the main market – and north Kent’s Thames ports.

Rupert Davids and Sons, established in 1757, was the first significant calico printers in Crayford and the firm’s success gave rise to several similar businesses. The Davids family excelled at engraving and printing on fabric and the business flourished until 1783.

The London Gazette of 28 March that year notes that “the partnership between Rupert Davids and Sons (William and Charles) of Crayford in the county of Kent, calico-printers, was this day dissolved by mutual consent”. The following year Rupert is recorded as working in Cheapside in the City of London. He died on 8 January, 1790. The Gentlemen’s Magazine in its “obituary of considerable persons”, describes him as “an eminent calico-printer” and notes he “dropped down dead, near the third mile-stone on the Deptford-road”.

To find fabric with the “Rup. Davids” manufacturing imprint is extremely rare. If you look closely you can see the stylish signature of H. A. Moran and the monogram of a J. V. in a red circle. The marks are artistic and I like to think that these are perhaps the designer and colourist. The number 43 appears twice plus other numbers and letters: maybe they signify patterns and inks?

Originally, we thought the fabric piece was Victorian as so many of our donations are. But on closer examination we have decided that the monogram on the reverse of the fabric could be a royal warrant for the Duke of Clarence. He was born in 1765 and became King William IV when his brother George IV died in 1830. Therefore, looking at the dates we surmise that a Hanoverian prince gave his patronage to a calico printer from Crayford.

All this history – on an offcut of fabric from a local family!

Farewell Peter, true scholar and gentle wit

DOROTHY PERCIVAL

Peter Landon, who died last September, was a life member of the Faversham Society. A genial man, his wide-ranging interests and enthusiasms were never on display unless he was sure of a genuine reciprocal interest.

As our treasurer for more than a decade in earlier years he fulfilled the role with unassuming efficiency. His many articles for our newsletter reflected his deep knowledge and love of transport and railways in particular.

 He was also a keen member of the society’s historians’ group. As a young man and after 10 to 15 years in administrative and operational roles as a railwayman, Peter became a mature student to fulfil his ambition to train as a school teacher.

Although already married and with a small child, he had his wife Julie’s valiant support to do this and went on to teach geography at Fort Luton in Chatham for most of his subsequent teaching career.

It is easy to imagine that along with delivering the required syllabus Peter would have contrived to link in with a broader brush his other passions of history, geology and transport. In other words, would have been a true all-round educator.

Transport, and trains in particular were a massive part of his life. The double attic at the Landon household was filled with a vast railway layout that passed neatly through a hatch between the two rooms. Living opposite, we knew that when the attic light was on at least one railway network in the UK was running seamlessly. He was a volunteer signalman on the Kent and East Sussex Light Railway for many years and as their recent testimony showed, was affectionately remembered.

Peter’s huge collection of books reflected his impressive scholarship. While helping in a small way to sort through them, I was astonished by the quality of the stock on all those slightly bendy shelves. The railway section in particular covered every aspect of the subject.

Most of the books will be gradually fed into the society’s second-hand bookshop, as Peter wished. My husband, Arthur, and Peter shared many enthusiasms. We have lived opposite for several decades and in the summer Arthur and Peter tended to emerge in the mornings with their little watering-cans to douse the hanging baskets.

Apparently, a cheery wave was always exchanged across the Stone Street traffic before, as they both said “getting with their day”, usually devoted in large part to the Faversham Society.

At Landon family gatherings, in which we were fortunate enough to be included, Peter’s “speeches” were memorable for their gentle wit and good humour on the ups and downs of family life with four children – all done with the kindness that he showed privately and publicly.

TIM AMSDEN

I’m writing as chairman of Tring and District Local History and Museum Society in Hertfordshire. The Manor of Tring was for several centuries held by the Abbot of Faversham and we have always been conscious of the links between our towns.

In the mid-1990s some of us paid you a visit, in the days of Arthur Percival. We tried to re-establish contact in 2015, which was the anniversary of the grant of Tring’s charter to the abbot and were delighted that year to secure the loan of the charter itself, from the National Archives.

We now have another loan in place that might interest you. This concerns two of the “Tring Tiles”, and two fragments, from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. They are part of a bigger sequence: 10 more are in the British Museum, and we already have replicas of these on display in our museum, opened in 2010.

The tiles tell stories from the childhood of Christ, mostly from the Apocrypha, and it is thought that there might have been 30 tiles originally. Executed in sgraffito, the designs are based on earlier manuscripts, rendered in a cartoon style for an illiterate public.

Sgraffito (Italian for “scratched”) is a technique that involves putting down a preliminary surface, covering it with another, and then scratching the superficial layer so that the pattern emerges in the lower colour.

It is thought that these tiles once adorned Tring Parish Church, but must have been ripped out later as sacrilegious, or unseemly; only one fragment, now lost, is known to have been found under the church floor, the others turning up in a variety of strange places around the town.

These tiles are believed to have been made in the early 14th century, right in the middle of the period of Faversham’s ownership of the manor, so a connection might be established.

We’d be interested to heard from anybody with knowledge of tile-making in the Faversham area, or of tiles that might in some way have similarities with these. They are very different from the customary “encaustic” patterned tiles. We have the V&A tiles on show until June, and I’d like to alert Faversham Society members in case any might be visiting this area.

Alongside, we have modern tiles made by Susan Elaine Jones, who has become enraptured by the subject and set out to design and make the “missing” tiles using the same techniques and the same anarchic Dennis the Menace style of the original artist. She has also written a small book on the subject.

tim@timamsden.plus.com

PETER QUINCE

Faversham is a literate town: working in the Fleur Bookshop tells me that.

So many people enter the bookshop, not only buy books but eager to discuss them as well. I find this heartening. So many times browsers have eventually come to the desk and said: “I’d like to buy these books, please. You have so many excellent books here. Best second-hand bookshop I’ve been into.” I have sorted through the buyer’s chosen books and often remarked: “Oh, I’ve read that book too, it’s wonderful. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Without wishing to be pretentious, I appreciate the scholarly atmosphere of the Fleur Bookshop: that volunteers are voracious readers, often belong to book clubs and delight in quoting snippets from the work of novelists, poets, historians, philosophers, and travel writers.

I handle many books during a typical shift and notice the cover designs, which sometimes sell a book. Readers occasionally say: “I bought it because I liked the cover and the title – I also enjoyed it enormously.” Indeed, Charles Dickens said: “There are books of which the backs and covers are the best parts.” I presume he wasn’t referring to his own novels.

We have in the Fleur’s classics section many weighty volumes that attract certain kinds of more academic readers, people who are prepared, indeed eager, to read a 1,000-page novel or a massive tome of collected poems or the works of Ancient Greek playwrights.

Ulysses, the celebrated James Joyce novel, appeared in our classics section some time ago but someone bought it and, I hope, ploughed through it. I tried to read Ulysses some years ago and struggled to page two before deciding that I’d rather have a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Joyce’s wife, Nora, once told him: “James, why don’t you write books that people can read?” At least she was being honest.

One of my favourite subjects is philosophy. Yes, I’m aware that it’s virtually impossible to make sense of some philosophers. The poet and historian Thomas Babington Macaulay said of the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates: “The more I read him, the less I wonder that they poisoned him.”

Good novels can educate us, tell us a great deal about the world and about the characters who feature in works of fiction; great novels can change us. The writer G. K. Chesterton once said: “A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.” That’s worth remembering.

I believe that most customers who buy from the Fleur Bookshop regard it as money well spent and contributing to the common good. Sometimes they take it a step further, saying (I paraphrase): “You can have this back. I enjoyed it enormously. Now let someone else have the pleasure of reading it.” Reading, recycling and benefiting the Faversham Society, too.

If you have “good old-fashioned secretarial skills” and would like to volunteer to take minutes etc at our new planning and Environment committees. Aygen Dickson would love to hear from you on  membership@favershamsociety.org

A podcast about the Arden of Faversham murder is available on BBC Sounds. It’s in the history section After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, subtitled Tudor England’s Dumbest Murder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0l3d4h6