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Kent Miscellany

@kent-miscellany.bsky.social
31 followers 16 following 115 posts

A canter round the history of the Garden of England, from items of major national importance to items of utter insignificance.

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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
#OTD 1910 Mr. G. R. Barrett, motor car dealer, of Weetgate, Canterbury, was sued by Mr.R.Surtees, of Kennington, Ashford, for using his 6hp Rover while it had been left for repair. Surtees was awarded £2 2s and costs after failing to reach an out of court settlement.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
#OTD 1809 The church of Reculver, in contemplation of its fall, has been stripped of lead, but the lover of antiquity will learn that the sister spires are likely to be preserved as Trinity House has become sensible of their importance to the navigation of the Thames.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
#OTD 1933 Miss Gracie Fields, the famous music-hall and film star, opened the annual fete of the Broadstairs Cheerful Sparrows at Pierremout Pleasure Grounds. She was presented with a bouquet by Miss Pat Smith amid applause, before singing "Sally" with orchestral accompaniment.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
#OTD 1958 Painters worked full pace to complete a fence at Sheerness station on time. However, their labours were in vain as their gleaming fence was demolished the next working day by workers preparing for electrification. A spokesman said 'Quite frankly, this is a slip-up.'
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
#OTD 1885 A letter to the Strand Board of Guardians detailed how the pauper dead of London could be transported to Reculver, encased in a sarcophagus of concrete, and used to build a defensive sea wall. The idea was abandoned almost as soon as it was received.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
#OTD 1961 East Kent coroner Wilfred Mowll determined the skeleton found on Herne Bay beach was of a woman unknown, ending months of speculation that the remains might be those of Amy Johnson, lost in 1941. The only link was the number of teeth missing from the lower jaw.
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Dark Black Effect @ramsghetto.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Nice sign oh a basement wall. #ramsgate #kent #photography #photo #bnw #blackandwhite #mono #monochrome #photographersofbluesky #photooftheday #urban
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
#OTD 1900 The inmates of Chartham Asylum spent a very enjoyable day when they were given their annual outdoor treat. Mr Victor Roi of Canterbury provided swing boats, Punch and Judy show, niggers, musical clowns and a gramophone. A capital tea was served on the lawn.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
#OTD 1808 A Deal gentleman has undertaken for a wager one hundred guineas, to pick up with his mouth one hundred stones at a yard distant from each, and carry them in his mouth to a basket placed at the last stone, within the space of fifty minutes.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
#OTD 1925 The issue of verminous children was discussed at a Kent Education Committee meeting. Rates across the county amounted to 9%, but in some areas rose to 47%, due to the influx of hop pickers. Rather than erect costly cleansing stations, it was decided to fine parents.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
#OTD 1958 Denton, winner of Kent's best kept village award, now has a litter problem. Cr. W Archibald said "As a result of the publicity, hundreds of visitors are coming daily - and dropping litter. It was much easier to keep the village tidy before the Press and TV came."
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
#OTD 1890 Dover painter William Moor (59) was knocked from the top of his ladder and killed by a passing fruit cart while painting what was to become the County Hotel in Stour St, Canterbury.
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Dark Black Effect @ramsghetto.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I always look at these Gnomes having a bit of fun with the old lady in the shoe every time i pass but dont take a photo - thought i would change that #ramsgate #kent #photography #photo #blackandwhite #monochrome #photographersofbluesky #gnome #gardengnome #ornaments
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
#OTD 1911 Crowds followed the wearer of a harem skirt up and down Ashford High-street. The young woman was in no way awed.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
#OTD 1915 Miss Mullinger, daughter of a signalman at Margate railway station, is the first lady ticket-collector to be seen on duty at a Thanet station. Stationed at Broadstairs, she wears a spruce uniform, and adds pleasantly to the amenities of the travellers.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
#OTD 1877 Granville Marina in Ramsgate was opened by the Mayor of London, with 7,000 celebrating well into the evening. A number of houses were built into the cliff face. London lawyer Mr E. Davis had developed the site, and also owned the Granville Hotel and Granville Estate.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
#OTD 1940 Soldier Thomas Ostle faced an unusual charge of "Breaking out of an enclosed premises after committing a felony therein" after admitting stealing from a Westgate house. Police explained there was no evidence of him breaking in, but they could prove he broke out.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
#OTD 1978 Passengers on the 8.32 Folkestone - Ashford train had the last laugh after a loud mouthed, wine swilling character wanting a sing song disrupted their usually peaceful trip. On arrival at Ashford, he revealed he had caught the wrong train, and should be in Dover.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
#OTD 1931 The licensee of the Huntsman and Horn, Broomfield, Herne Bay has posted in his window in large black lettering the notice, "Free Beer To-morrow." The wheeze is causing a lot of amusement and those going for a free beer to-morrow find they are still a day too soon.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
#OTD 1873 A St. Pancras man rode a Margate made Kelsey 4 wheeled velocipede 78 miles from Euston Square to Margate in under 12 hours, a record. As a result of this feat, manufacturer James Kelsey received more orders for his 4 wheelers than he could cope with.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
#OTD 1967 The World Custard Pie Championships were first held, at Coxheath Primary School to boost funds for the village hall and playground. In this now annual event, teams of 4 throw pies with their left hand, and aim for their opponent's face, for a maximum of 6 points.
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Lorna @bluebellfhr.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Things that shouldn't do in the heat is listen to songs like Tom Paine's Bones by The Trials of Cato and start bouncing. open.spotify.com/track/4s6MnZ... Good music and my local history combined though whilst researching is good. 😀 #Sandwich #Kent www.kentholidaycottages.co.uk/holiday-rent...
open.spotify.com
Tom Paine's Bones
The Trials of Cato · Hide and Hair · Song · 2018
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
#OTD 1913 The Herne Bay Ratepayers Association deemed the fixing of a speed limit in the town to be undesirable, and urged police should be allowed to exercise discretion in the matter, one member stating that motorists were as intelligent as most people.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
#OTD 1911 St Peter's residents traced six loud explosions to the local blacksmith. The assembled crowd learned it was a blacksmith custom to celebrate a coronation (in this instance George V), by 'firing the anvil', by placing and striking gunpowder on an upturned anvil.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
#OTD 1963 Farmers at West Hythe were this week asked to move their cattle away from an area being used during an Army demonstration week — because the cows have a habit of standing and staring at visiting parties of high ranking officers watching demonstrations.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Tonbridge Free Press 29th July 1938.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
#OTD 1958 Maidstone & District bus company have started lending pushchairs to mums at Maidstone bus station. The scheme makes it easier for passengers to use rural one-man bus services, some of which barely break even. Pushchairs can be prebooked by postcard to the bus station.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
#OTD 1883 An exciting race took place at Folkestone Warren between a greyhound belonging to Mr. Jordan and a well known runner named Spicer, the conditions being that the hound was to run 100 yards while the man run 50 yards. Spicer won easily.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
#OTD 1178 Gervase, the official Chronicler of Canterbury reported that 5 cathedral monks see what is possibly the Giordano Bruno crater being formed. It is believed that the current oscillations of the Moon's distance from the Earth are a result of this collision.
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Kent Archaeological Society @kentarchsoc.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
It's #WordWednesday! Today's Kentish word from our online dictionary: Chums — n. house sparrows (The Kentish Note-Book 1, pp. 330–1; see also Chummies, Sparr). Notes from A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms (c1977), p.30. Search the dictionary by clicking on the link below:
kentarchaeology.org.uk
Dictionary of the Kentish dialect — Kent History & Archaeology
Compiled by Camilla Harley.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
#OTD 1965 County education officer John Haynes officially opened the new Thanet Technical College at Yarrow House, Broadstairs, converted at a cost of £50,000 from a children's convalescent home built in 1894. It quickly became known as a top catering and hospitality college.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
#OTD 1947 Passenger services on the Elham Valley line, running between Canterbury and Folkestone, were withdrawn in advance of full closure on October 1. It had struggled financially since it was built in 1887, due to terrain and motor vehicle competition.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
#OTD 1968 Donald Mills, asst. secretary of the British UFO Association, settled down overnight in his garden at Helena Avenue, Margate for a 9 hour UFO spotting session. Some 700 fellow members did likewise across the country. His vigil netted only a satellite and 2 meteorites.
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York and District Family History Society @yorkfhs.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
A book on mills dated 1931 showing an early purpose built electricity producing windmill in Kent. Nothing new in the world.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
#OTD 1899 The East Goodwin Lightship was rammed by the steamer R.F. Matthews, causing the international distress signal to be given for the first time by wireless.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
#OTD 1781 An order was made to demolish the centre section of the Burgate in #Canterbury, leaving just its two towers standing.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
#OTD 1918 Damage amounting to about £2,500 was caused by a fire which broke out at the Isle of Thanet Tramway Company's Depot at St. Peter's. It originated in a store, and this and the mess room were gutted, but flames were prevented from reaching the generating station.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
#OTD 1960 D class engine No. 737 has reached the buffers of its career, but instead of heading to the breaker's torch, it is now being restored at #Ashford Works, where it was designed and built in 1901. Engine 737 is the only survivor of the class of 51.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
#OTD 1929 Many people take platform tickets at Sandgate station in the evening for the sole opportunity of hearing the nightingales, which are in full song. The wooded banks overlooking the station are an ideal nesting resort of the birds, which are this year, very numerous.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
#OTD 1982 The old Marlowe Theatre (previously the Empire Theatre and a cinema) in St Margaret's St, Canterbury, closed for the final time.
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kenticisms @kenticisms.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
A WASH-WAY was a narrow path cut in the woods to make the CANTS [portions] of a WOODFALL [part to be cut]. A fall of 10 acres would probably have been washed into 6 or 7 cants. "You've no call to follow the main-track; keep down this here wash-way for about ten rods and you'll come right agin him."
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
#OTD 1970 A 5 day beer festival, claimed to be Britain's first, opens in Marine Gardens, Folkestone as part of Expo Euro '70. In conjunction with Bass Charrington, visitors will can taste some of the country's best beer in a gay continental atmosphere of music and entertainment.
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
#OTD 1979 A mysterious signpost appeared at Kempes Corner in #Wye last week. Its existence is believed to be not unentirely due to its near proximity to Wye College, where certain students are rumoured to be wearing smug grins.
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Keith Ross @ramsgatebirds.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
A very busy #Ramsgate Harbour in lovely sunshine this afternoon. Watching a few of the 'Little Ships' arrive for the 85th Anniversary of 'Operation Dynamo'. #Dunkirk
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Keith Ross @ramsgatebirds.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Without doubt the noisiest boat in #Ramsgate harbour today was the Dunkirk Little Ship, the steam tug Challenge! 🎥🌞⛵️👍 #Dunkirk #operationdynamo
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
#OTD 1213 King John surrenders to the Papal Legate at #Dover (probably Temple Ewell) offering to make England and Ireland papal fiefs. Pope Innocent III lifted the interdict of 1208. He named Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canterbury.
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kenticisms @kenticisms.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
CHOATY and CHUFF are words recorded as Kentish dialect for chubby or broad faced. "He's a choaty boy." And CHUFFER was used for eating a large amount of food or being a hearty eater. "By Golly! Our young Willum (William) can't half chuffer, he'll eat us out of house and home"
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Dark Black Effect @ramsghetto.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Hanging out the #bunting for what is going to be a busy couple of weeks here in #Ramsghetto as the #littleships start arriving for the 85th #anniversary of #operationdynamo #Ramsgate #kent #photography #blackandwhite #monochrome #mono #photooftheday #flags #photographersofbluesky #history #ww2 #war
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Kent Miscellany @kent-miscellany.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
#OTD 1940 #Chatham dockyard fitter Francis De Montaigne was charged with sabotage after damaging 2 gear castings. He denied the charge and confirmed his love of the country; he had merely written his name on the castings as with other jobs.
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kenticisms @kenticisms.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
In the Kentish dialect poem 'Dick and Sal at Canterbury Fair' the White Hart ALUS or ALIS - alehouse, is mentioned; An den we turn’d about agen, An see an alis stan. Sal thought it was de goat or hine, I diden know fer my part; But when we look’t apan de sign, De readin was de White Hart.
Photograph of the White Hart pub in Canterbury, a red brick building with a hung tile and white painted frontage.
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