The Local History Group

The objective of the Local History Group is to encourage the study of Tunbridge Wells and its past. We do this through research, publications, education and the collection and cataloguing of historical material.

The Group is an integral part of the Civic Society. All members of the Society are welcome to join in the activities of the Group, without additional charge, though they are encouraged to register their specific interests with us.

Research and Publications

The Group publishes the results of its research in three formats.

• Short articles are printed in the Society's quarterly Newsletter (see 'Newsletters' page).
• Longer pieces, of 20 to 40 pages, may be published in a new series of 'Occasional Papers'. Please see the 'Publications' page.
• Finally there is a book-length series called 'Monographs'. Our latest is an examination of the role of Tunbridge Wells in the development of revolutionary politics between 1884 and 1919 - see 'Publications'.

Education

• The Group provides at least one talk in the Society's annual programme of events.
• We support Heritage Open Days, with talks and walks.
• Members of the Group have provided talks to local schools and other groups, and would be happy to work with local teachers in developing teaching resources.
• The Group subscribes to the Victorian Society. Their Newsletters are available to members on request.
  

Other Activities

• Volunteers from the Group have worked with Dr Ian Beavis of the Museum to catalogue the Town Hall archives.
• Another group is currently working with him on an Oral History project to record memories of life in the town.
• In 2011 the Group 'rescued' a collection of old newspapers dating back to 1872 when the local paper, the Kent & Sussex Courier, moved to smaller premises.
• The Group has worked with TWBC to copy lists of planning applications from 1867 to 1913, a very useful source for the development of the town. These lists are now available from the library.

Sue Brown, a member of the Group and ex-Reference Librarian, has produced a bibliography of Tunbridge Wells sources.

Ann Bates, another member of the Group, has produced a list of Notable Residents.

For many years, Ed Gilbert, a member of the Group who lived in Canada, maintained a web-site with detailed articles about Tunbridge Wells. A selection of these articles is available here.

If you would like further information about any of these activities, especially if you are interested in working with the Oral History Project, or copying the planning applications, please email us.

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