The Marden Society
The Marden Society was formed in the 1970s in response to concerns about a particular development near the village. After that was successfully resolved the Society has gone on both to represent the views of the village, as far as it is able, and to promote interest in Marden, in Kent and in the countryside in general. In the words of its constitution, the Society exists to:
To these ends the Society has a programme of monthly meetings with guest speakers talking on subjects of interest to members, plus a summer outing usually in June, and also publishes a free bi-monthly newsletter, The Parish Pump. It initiated a project which produced the now adopted Village Design Statement; and keeps a general eye on what is happening in terms of planning and development both in the village and the local area.
Meetings are normally held at 7.30 p.m. in the Vestry Hall, unless otherwise advised. There is a raffle, refreshments are provided, and visitors are always welcome.
The 2021 Committee is:
| Chairman: | Mo Clayton 01622 831529 tillergirl2913@aol.com |
| Secretary: | Steve McArragher 01622 831007 steve.mcarragher@btinternet.com |
| Treasurer: | Mike Lockett 01622 833346 opplock@btinternet.com |
| Membership Sec. | Carol Hogg |
| Diane Fisher | |
| Barbara Dubois | |
Membership costs just £5.00 per annum.
For details please email us here
| Our 2022 programme will start with the Annual General Meeting and Social on 26th January. This is important as we did not have one last year. The short AGM will be followed by a wine and cheese social event. We are hoping that Covid will allow us to run a full programme for the year, which is as follows: 23rd February: “50 Days in a Red T Shirt”, by Jon Hill describes the challenge of walking the GR5 through the French alps from Lac Leman to the Cote d’Azur, 700Km with over 37,000m of ascent and descent. Woven into the talk is the story of the Red Rubber Ball Foundation charity, providing educational opportunities to deprived children in Kenya. 23rd March: “Anti-terrorism at Scotland Yard”, by Geoff Lewry 27th April: “A Policeman’s Lot can be an Interesting One”, by Neil Sadler. Neil spent 30 years as a Police officer in various ranks across Sussex, working briefly in Hong Kong, Trinidad and Abu Dhabi….he even survived Bognor Regis, Haywards Heath and Crawley ! 25th May: “Sentinels of the Sea, the Amazing History of Lighthouses”, by Mark Lewis. A general introduction to “pharology” – the study of lighthouses and other navigational aids, giving an outline from the prototype – the Pharos of Alexandria, through the evolving history of their construction, methods of illumination, operation and maintenance, the lives of the keepers, including some of the extraordinary heroic stories associated with them. 22nd June: Summer Outing TBA 28th September: “Hopping in Kent and the Hartlake Disaster”, by Geoff Doel. This talk was originally planned for November 2019 and covers the history of hop growing in Kent and the Hartlake Bridge disaster in 1853 when 30 hop-pickers were drowned in the River Medway. 26th October: “All about Orangutans and why they are endangered” by Alison Bristo. When Alison became seriously ill, it was her passion and desire to visit orangutans in Borneo, that gave her the strength and determination to get well. After 3 years of battling with illness, she fulfilled her dream and went to work there. 23rd November: “Medical Detection Dogs” by Millie Harris, who is a local speaker. As usual our meetings will start at 7.30 p.m. in the Vestry Hall followed by refreshments and raffle. Hand sanitiser will be provided, and chairs will be socially distanced by around 1 m. Wearing of face masks is optional. |