HRGS Online Research Centre

Members' Research Interests

HRGS Research Centre | Free Online Resources | Members' Research Interests

John Clancy - The Archive Editor / Journalist / Historian

My main interest is local history, but having read many of the available books on the history of Sittingbourne, Milton Regis, Murston and the surrounding area, I felt there was more than what was being told. For this reason I enrolled upon a course of study by Distance Learning, in archaeological studies with the University of Exeter. I gained a certificate, then diploma in this subject in 2007, after which I embarked upon a course of studies in local history and heritage in the Humanities facalty, where I hope to gain a BA degree by 2009. This has opened my eyes to a lot of our past heritage that had either been overlooked or ignored by earlier antiquarians and local historians. For too long, too much was taken for granted which was dangerous as many earlier made mistakes got compounded. The coursework has given me the opportunity to reappraise our past and has been most helpful to me when writing books about the town. Hopefully it also shows in my articles in The Archive.\n\nIf you have any questions for John please click here.

Alan Abbey - HRGS Chairman / Historian / Lecturer

My research interests cover a wide range of subjects, from the development of early medieval and early modern Kent, to folklore traditions; especially hidden clothing and artefacts. I am particularly studying the creation of Sittingbourne, local demographics and the local effects of wider national events. I have been eager to re-examine and challenge the accepted Victorian and Edwardian local histories wherever possible, and provide new theories supported by documentary evidence or wider research. I obtained my history degree at the University of Kent at Canterbury where I studied the theory and practice of local history, Kentish history and mediaeval England. If you have any questions for Alan please click here.

Phil Talbot - Archivist / Genealogist / Metal Detectorist

My interest in the past started when I was a schoolboy with collecting fossils and as my father was a coal face worker at Snowdown Colliery just outside Dover we were often delighted to see impressions of prehistoric plants in pieces of coal that he had brought home from the coal mine. Sadly none of these pieces survived our childhood. My focus then turned to metal detecting in my 30s and that resurrected my interest in the past and historical objects. I became Chairman of the Swale Detecting Club for approx 12 years and also went on to become Treasurer of the Southern Region of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD), which is a body that looks after and represents the interests of detectorists' all over the country. I also served as Treasurer for the National Council (NCMD) for some 4 years. My main interest is not in a specific period of history but is in small metallic finds, English coinage; especially 'Hammered' coinage. I have worked with the County Archaeologists, the County Finds Liaison Officer and also for my sins, Time Team on two occasions.\nI am on the committee of both the HRGS and the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum and would like to see closer working ties between the two. I am interested in Family History and have carried out many years of research on my Talbot family. I also have many collecting interests which include English coins and artefacts, military badges and medals of WWI and WWII and Art Deco porcelain to name a few. If you have any questions for Phil please click here.

Ginny Lamb - Website Designer / Historian / Genealogist

I've always been interested in the Tudor period and studied Early-Modern British and European History at A-level, and then History and Literary Studies at degree level. In recent years I have combined this with my interest in religion. My main area of study now is The Reformation Period, although I'm always keen to learn anything new. I'm also a keen genealogist and have been researching my family tree for the past ten years or so. If you have any questions for Ginny please click here.

Robin Grimes - HRGS Archaeologist and Archivist / Archaeologist / Lecturer

Born in North Maidstone in 1936 started school at four years of age and has not stopped learning since. Moved to Sittingbourne in 1991 to be close to Val.'s parents who were in Care Homes there. Was invited to join the HRGS a year after its founding following survey work on the Old Church at Murston. Cares passionately about adult education and thinks that not enough attention is given to the teaching of History in schools today. But: The teaching has to be made FUN otherwise it puts people off. Had a relative who was an archaeologist in London following the Second World War, went on site several times with him. The love of archaeology never went away. When early retirement loomed, did a six -year extra mural university course and rekindled the love. Has worked on sites mainly in Kent and mainly Roman, most interesting area was Plaxtol which many of the members have also worked on. Met two like minded students at university and formed a small resistivity survey team. Reads voraciously mainly history, archaeology, poetry and relaxes (when he has time) with the works of Terry Pratchett. If you have any questions for Robin please click here.

Phil Rayner - HRGS Member / Genealogist

My name is Philip Rayner and I have been a member of the HRGS for 1 1/2 years. My main interest is in genealogy though any history is of interest, especially where historical changes impacted on our ancestors' lives. I also believe that a study of national and international history can have a knock on effect on local history, indeed all these things are usually linked.

I am an amateur writer so I enjoy contributing to the archive and this site. Most of my readers would probably use the word 'Random' to describe the subject matter.

I do have a great interest in the Victorian era. The time and its people are so contradictory morally, the world changed faster than ever before and there was such a large gap between social groups.

However , from a research point of view, it is genealogy and all associated subjects which will always be my first interest. And if you study genealogy you are already studying local and national history as well as psychology and sociology.

Failing all else I will indulge my interest by watching TV history documentaries.

Bryan Clark - HRGS Member

Interested in Murston History and Family Genealogy.

Born at Murston in 1937, have always been interested in the local area after living there all my life. My Mother's side of the family moved to Murston in 1880 as the brickfields expanded, we lived with my mother's parents at 13 Church Road, Lower Murston, I often wondered whether No 13 attributed to the bad luck of my Father, who was killed during the War serving in the RAF in 1944.

I Joined the HRGS in 2004 on its first field trip on Saturday 17th April, to Murston All Saints Church which I had already researched.

My main interest is the old village of Murston and the industry now long gone, except for the only brickworks still under the name of Smeed Dean. I also keep photographic records of the new Murston area as it begins to take shape, hopefully to publish later.

Other varied interest keeps me busy in retirement since 2001.