ALT Shown here is a photograph of the Search Room at Kent Archives. We're based at Kent History and Library Centre on James Whatman Way, Maidstone. Our Search Room is equipped with climate controls designed to preserve our collections whilst they are being accessed by the public, with the added bonus of keeping the space pleasantly cool during the summer months. We’re open to the public from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Documents can be ordered until 4pm, and we kindly ask that anything being viewed is returned to the Search Room Supervisor no later than 4:45pm, ensuring our team has enough time to return items to the strong rooms before closing. We advise booking a desk to avoid disappointment. However, we are happy to accommodate non‑booked readers if space allows. To book your visit, contact us at archives@kent.gov.uk — we’ll be happy to check our desk availability and guide you through the process of being authorised to access our collections.

ALT Shown here is a pendant seal with silk cords from an inspeximus of original royal letters patent dated at Westminster, 24th October, 1 Henry [V, 1413], 1423-1424 [ref. Ly/5/1/5] About the talk: What comes to mind first, at first glance of an ancient document or book? That it’s an incredible survivor? That the handwriting is tiny, beautiful, or in an unfamiliar language? That it may be embellished with illuminated letters with gorgeous colours of deep pigments and burnished gold? That there’s a surviving seal or even multiple seals? For the textile lover however, focus on these wonderful things can fade when encountering the tantalising addition of an original ribbon, braid or embroidered seal bag and the thoughts of how, where, and by whom it was made. Sue Lamberton is an independent scholar with a particular interest in the silkwomen of London, who demonstrates, teaches and makes silk textiles for museums and historic sites, the performing arts industry and living history.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of the left-hand display cabinet outside the Search Room at Kent Archives and Local History Service, Maidstone. It currently contains a display curated to celebrate the National Year of Reading, including original manuscripts by John Donne, Robert Burns, Agatha Christie and Siegfried Sassoon. To decorate the cabinet, we’ve added miniature bunting inspired by the blue plaques affixed to buildings that indicate a notable person’s connection to a place. Our plaques shine a spotlight on literary figures and their links to locations across Kent.

ALT Etching of The Glasgow Academy by Wilfred Crawford Applebey (1889-1958)

ALT Shown here is a sepia photographic negative capturing a scene of caravans and trucks parked at Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, 13th May 1966 [collection ref. KHLC-2018/56]. Photograph copyright KM Media Group Ltd. About the talk: Kent has the UK’s biggest Gypsy/Traveller population and was at the forefront of efforts to address the accommodation crisis facing these communities in the post-war period. This talk will examine the impact and implementation of the 1960 and 1968 (Pt. II) Caravan Acts in Kent, focusing especially on Maidstone, and will use local authority and press sources to consider the factors determining who, where and how itinerants were accommodated and their enduring impacts at the local level. Dr David Smith is a Reader in Social Policy. His research aims to document the experience of minority and underprivileged communities including Roma, Gypsies and Travellers, foreign workers in the NHS, and working class localities affected by public policy and housing development.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of Sir Hugh Garrard Tyrwhitt Drake (1881-1964) flanked by two well-groomed horses. It's taken from the cover of his 1936 book, 'Beasts and circuses: being a few experiences during many years of wild animal keeping and intimate connection with circuses and shows' [ref. BK/C150608018] Discover more about Tyrwhitt‑Drake’s life and long association with Maidstone in Gareth Brown’s latest newsletter article – part of his 'Tales from the Vehicle Licensing Registers' series. [Archives@Kent] is the quarterly newsletter published by Kent Archives and Local History Service, Maidstone. From publicising newly catalogued material to exploring documents in detail and sharing information about upcoming events, our newsletters can be delivered straight to your email inbox or accessed at www.kentarchives.org.uk/archive-newsletter Have yet to subscribe? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to add you to our mailing list – Email: archives@kent.gov.uk Telephone: 03000 420 673

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Mike, Lindsay, Victoria, Caitlin and James from the Kent Libraries and Archives teams, collecting litter along the towpath leading to the Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Georgia, Jodie, Abigail, Millie, Sheelagh and Alice from the Kent Libraries and Archives teams, collecting litter in the vicinity of Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph of (from left) Hannah, Gareth, Mark and Lara from the Kent Archives team, collecting litter in the tree-covered area between James Whatman Way and Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

ALT Shown here is a photograph capturing just a few of the numerous bags of rubbish that were collected during the litter pick. After completing the litter pick, we contacted Maidstone Borough Council and informed them of the waste's location, to ensure quick collection by the refuse team.

ALT Our lovely knitters

ALT The Rector's Study

ALT Oil painting by Sgt Pickering, Ward F2. Cream painted beds on a wooden floor, one bed is occupied. A fireplace, decorated with a vase of flowers and tall windows can be seen to the left and behind the patient in bed. Painted during his time at the hospital. No information about Sgt Pickering so do get in touch if you can help Thank you

ALT A page from a photograph album with nine snapshots from the 1920s. They are labelled Rio; Fjord, New Zealand; Oxen cart, Madeira; Santa Ana Cabaret, Manila; Franconia, Los Angeles; Honolulu; Broken rail in storm, Franconia [ship]; Manila lady.

ALT Image: a man operates a machine comprising large rollers at Sittingbourne Paper Mill (Bowaters), 26th November 1973. Following the success of our event last October aiming to enhance our cataloguing of the Sittingbourne Paper Mill collection, Kent Archives is returning to Sittingbourne Library on Friday 24th April, 11am - 4:30pm. Former employees and anyone interested in the history of the mill are warmly invited to join us and view a display of historical photographs and documents. Maybe you can identify members of staff, or recognise different types of machinery? Impart your knowledge to our team – we'd love to hear from you! We're also keen to capture your memories of the mill through oral history interviews, if you might like to take part. We might not have time or resources to interview you during the event but hope to come back at a later date to complete this. If you would like to give an interview, please email our engagement officer, Mark Bateson: mark.bateson@kent.gov.uk