CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF KENT
CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF KENT
The community of Cambridge University Alumni in Kent, U.K.
WHO WE ARE
The Cambridge Society of Kent arranges meetings for members of Cambridge University residing in Kent to meet and to foster interests they have in common. We are part of a worldwide network of alumni societies of the University and maintain close links with the University Alumni Office.
Membership is open to any former or current member of Cambridge University living in Kent or nearby areas, together with Friends of the University. Membership costs £10.00 a year and members pay for each event that they attend.
WHAT WE DO
The Society organises four meetings a year: two outings over the summer to places of interest in or reasonably near to Kent, and two talks during the winter. There is a convivial lunch at each meeting when members can enjoy a meal together in a relaxed environment.
We also organise a reception in September for freshers living in Kent who are about to go up to Cambridge for the first time, giving them a chance to meet other freshers and to learn a little about life at Cambridge from second or third year undergraduates.
FUTURE EVENTS
STAINED GLASS IN KENT
Saturday, 15th February at 10.30am
The Winter Meeting will be held on Saturday, 15th February 2025 at Walthamstow Hall School, Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3UL. The talk, given by Sir Paul Britton, is about stained glass in Kent.
Kent churches are rich in stained and painted glass. Canterbury Cathedral has one of the best collections of early medieval glass in Europe and the county's parish churches contain outstanding examples of glass of every age, especially the 19th and 20th centuries. Paul Britton will describe the technical and artistic development of the medium illustrated with about 100 examples from all over Kent.
Paul is Chairman of The Friends of Kent Churches and of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Canterbury Diocese. He also sits on several national bodies concerned with church buildings and church architecture.
The timetable for the day will be:-
1030 - 1100 Arrival, coffee/tea and biscuits in the Hub
1100 Talk
1215 Prosecco and soft drinks in the Hub followed by lunch
The charge will be £42.
For further details about the meeting and how to book your place, contact the Society’s Secretary, David Bonner at d-bonner@sky.com
FAVERSHAM AND SHEPHERD NEAME TOUR
Thursday, 22nd May 2025
On Thursday 22 May there will be a visit to the historic town of Faversham and will include a visit to the Shepherd Neame brewery, Britain’s oldest brewer.
CASTLE FARM, SHOREHAM VISIT
Monday, 7th July 2025
On Monday 7 July, by kind invitation of Caroline Alexander, there will be a visit to Castle Farm at Shoreham with its wonderful lavender fields.
CONTACT US
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Contact the Secretary, David Bonner for more details about these events (email: d-bonner@sky.com) and to book your place.
RECENT EVENTS
WINE TASTING AND VINEYARD TOUR AT YOTES COURT
Standing high on the Greensand Ridge, members looked down on immaculate rows of vines, sweeping down the hill towards Yotes Court, an historic Grade 1 listed manor house, and the picturesque village of West Peckham. The lower slopes are planted with the classic Champagne vine varieties, producing grapes to make into classic English sparkling wine. Higher up are various different varieties, including Bacchus and a new red variety, Divico, which was developed in Switzerland. These vines are used to make the wines sold under the Yotes Court label.
We heard how the vineyard was planted in 2016 on a beautiful south facing slope where the free-draining soil is perfect for growing grapes and how the vines are managed as far as possible in a sustainable manner with minimal use of sprays.
After our tour of the visit we went to the vineyard’s tasting room, where we were introduced to a selection of the wines made from the Yotes Court vines in a tutored tasting, while enjoying a delicious lunch and stimulating conversation.
The day started with a visit to the fascinating Palladian Church at Mereworth, where our guide was the Rev. Canon Brian Stevenson.
THE FRESHERS' PARTY
The Society held a Welcome to Cambridge party on 8 September 2024 for Freshers living in Kent who were about to go up to Cambridge. The party was held at the Village Hall in Otford. Some 40 freshers attended, and had the opportunity to talk to 5 second or third year undergraduates who talked to them about life in Cambridge. Our Chairman, Miriam Westendarp, welcomed the students and third year undergraduate Emily Clarke talked about her experience of Cambridge life and shared some tips on how to make the most of their time at the University.
A TOUR OF LEEDS CASTLE
On May 21st, the society visited Leeds Castle, a magnificent monument to the history of England since 857. After over a thousand years of change and re-structuring, for most of the 20th century it was privately owned by Lady Baillie, daughter of Almeric Paget, 1st Baron Queensborough and Paula Payne Whitney, an American heiress. On her death in 1975 she left it to The Leeds Castle Foundation, which owns it still.
As we toured the interior, we were struck by the clear sense of its having been a family home for many decades, but that the family had treasured its centuries of royal history, and sought to maintain that sense of majesty. Beautiful both inside and out, the castle now hosts many public functions and boasts extensive gardens, a lake with a ferry as well as the traditional moat, a falconry area, golf course, themed playgrounds, a maze and opportunities to stay in one of the cottages onsite.
Unfortunately the weather discouraged us from spending time in the parkland and gardens as it poured relentlessly all day. However, with wonderful Cambridge fortitude, we smiled our way to warmth and conviviality - especially in the large, comfortable restaurant where we were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company during lunch.
Despite the rain, it was another thoroughly successful visit, and our thanks go to Althea Chapman whose attention to every member’s needs and ability to rise above minor details like umbrellas and wet guests, ensured its smooth-running and excellent organisation.
THE CINQUE PORTS
Some 30 members and Friends of the Society attended the Society’s AGM on 26th October 2024 and heard reports on the Society’s activities over the last year and the plans for the future.
After the formal meeting, Philip Lewis gave a talk on the history of The Cinque Ports. Philip is a former mayor of the small town of Fordwich, which lies on the River Stour, just down river from Canterbury. During the Middle Ages Fordwich served as the port for Canterbury, and goods flowed through the town from the Continent, using a navigable channel to the west of the Isle of Thanet.
Five ports and two ancient towns - The Cinque Ports - formed a confederation, gaining privileges and rights in return for 'Sea Service', providing ships for the defence of the realm. Men from these ports lived also from fishing, trading, piracy and smuggling. In the modern era, the Cinque Ports are no longer responsible for defence but the Confederation still exists and celebrates its rich history.
OUR COMMITTEE
The Society is run by a Committee.
The current members are:
Brian Stevenson (President)
Miriam Westendarp (Chairman)
Margot Croft (Vice Chairman)
Alec Crowe (Membership Secretary)
Althea Chapman (Events Secretary)
David Bonner (Secretary)
Nick Ward (Treasurer)
Felicity Crowe
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more about the Society, or would like to join, email the Secretary, David Bonner, d-bonner@sky.com
