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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 8h

Fabulous online book launch for The Buildings Archaeologist by James Wright @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social tonight, looking at why understanding old buildings is important. Bexley’s William Morris gets a mention, and I spotted a pic of North Cray medieval hall house. Can’t wait to read the book.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Bexley's Ageing Well event 2026 is on 3 October at the Civic Offices. It was really busy last year with advice and info from all sorts of different organisations. I will be on the Bexley Archives stall. Not so much demonstrating how to age well, but I hope to show how local history can help!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Hoardings make great places for pop-up history, like this display at John Newton Court in Welling which I helped with. Built to help with the postwar housing shortage, the homes here are being taken into the next chapter of their history.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Back at Bursted Woods today for not one but two history/reminiscence sessions, this time on the topic of Bexleyheath, for Bexley Buddies, a partnership with GP surgeries to help with non-medical and social needs. Very pleasant lunchtime walk in the woods too!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

On a search for 1960s Sidcup and almost all of it has been replaced in the last 15 ish years by this kind of thing.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Latest sudden trend seems to be sending email enquiries with bullet points. Presumably at ChatGPT thing. Comes across as officious and aggressive and I’m wondering where we are heading. Will ‘human’ writing become a separate language?

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

St James Church North Cray has recently been inspected by steeplejacks to assess for repair work. Here is an inspection by steeplejacks in 1936! The church is open for guided tours on 12 Sept 10.15 and 11.45am. To book your place please see the details at www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-e...

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Taking advantage of the bank holiday to attempt a tidy up of my book shelves/piles and somehow this has happened. I’m sure there was an important difference between editions which I wrote about once. Something to do with bridges according to a bookmark! So I need to keep all three…?

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Guided tours of St James Church, North Cray will be given by Lamorbey & Sidcup Local History Society's President on 12 Sept at 10.15 and 11.45am part of this year's Heritage Open Days festival. Booking info here. www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-e...

heritageopendays.org.uk

Guided tours of St James Church, North Cray, Sidcup

St James Church, North Cray, is a Grade II listed building constructed in the 1850s. The site, however, has been used for Christian worship for over 900 years and the church contains many features of ...

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Here at #BexleyArchives we are delighted to be hosting Dr James Wright on 7 November at 2.30pm as part of his book tour. To hear him talk about The Buildings Archaeologist please book your place by emailing archives@bexley.gov.uk or by visiting the Local Studies Centre. @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

How refreshing to see the real struggle of trying to find a person who lied about her age, possibly her name, and didn’t want to be found. Not all historical research is plain sailing as many people are led to believe! Really enjoying A House Through Time in Edinburgh with @davidolusoga.bsky.social

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I’m sick of people ‘telling me something new’ when what they’ve actually done is looked at AI Overview - which is scraped from content I’ve written. I even had someone googling while I was doing a talk and said she can confirm what I was saying was right because AI says so. (Again, my content).

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Join our guided walk of Victorian Sidcup on 19 Sept 2.30-4pm with Archives Officer Penny Duggan as we consider the enormous changes that took place 1837-1901 and reflect on the lives of the people who lived there. Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

For centuries loam was quarried in Erith for use all over England and it changed the town's landscape forever. In this talk on 17 Oct. 2.30pm Ken Chamberlain will give the site's story from quarry to housing development. Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

An extra element of planning for this year’s guided walks has been finding shady spots for each stopping point. The availability of trees in sunny Sidcup helps!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I think most towns in the country must have a 'Victoria Road' and Sidcup is no exception. This and the former cottage hospital feature in A Stroll around Victorian Sidcup for the Live Well, Age Well hub guided walk on Tuesday 28 July. More details and booking at Eventbrite shorturl.at/0LYTf

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Transferring a new collection to the archive following someone’s death is poignant, especially if you knew the person well. Martyn designed his own Christmas cards as well as beer festival programmes. Today, while shifting 2 car loads of boxes, it was his sketches which touched me the most.

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Archives and Records Association UK and Ireland @araukie.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Voting now open for the ARA Excellence Awards 2026. Find details of all the nominees for New Professional, Record Keeper and Recordkeeping Service of the Year - plus the voting link here www.archives.org.uk/ara-awards Vote closes 5pm on 16 July.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Last week I gave an armchair guided walk to patients from the Plas Meddyg Surgery in Old Bexley for Bexley Buddies. The pressing question: who was the baker of apple pies so good that Apple Pie Corner became a place name?

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I feel honoured to be included in the list of nominees for New Professional of the Year. The archive sector is full of so many lovely and interesting people, and I am proud to be a part of it. Good can come from bad, and becoming an archivist was the best decision I’ve ever made.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

At the recent London Archives Partnership meeting we talked about planning for extreme heat and the impact on archives and events. The last two walks I’ve done were 🥵 but tomorrow’s temp is definitely too hot!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

What do Afghan dumplings, dance and flowers have in common? They were all at Community Heritage Festival today at Bear Church Deptford, inspired by Educating Deptford project themes of food, life stories and environment. Thanks to all involved in bringing this history to life. @jpaprice.bsky.social

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

A practice run of my Welling guided walk which finishes at the site of the greatest place on earth, Nuxley Toy Shop, RIP.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

At the Bear Church Deptford for a service remembering the history of the Ragged School and Princess Louise Institute, followed by the unveiling of a @lewishamheritage.bsky.social Maroon Plaque. A fantastic project with @jpaprice.bsky.social. We even had Educating Deptford cupcakes!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

After a rather trying week, I managed to get some peace and quiet. Prepping for the next walk: Sidcup in 1926.

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Today is #WorldBeeDay and we remember Alfred Dewey who opened a Music Warehouse in #Sidcup. He was a piano tuner, violin teacher, photographer (examples shown) and local council chairman. As a beekeeper he helped to form the Kent Bee Keepers' Association in 1917. Oh and he was a ventriloquist too!

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Our next walk is on 20 June 2.30pm with Archives Officer Penny Duggan for A Walk Around Welling. From hamlet to bustling high street, what events have had an impact on its history? Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

On Saturday a group enjoyed a guided walk with Archives Officer Penny Duggan looking at the impact of the 1926 General Strike on the town of Erith. Workers lost wages, transport stopped, coal supply was restricted and the beer was running out. #GeneralStrike100

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Archives Officer Penny Duggan has partnered with Bexley Buddies in an initiative to enhance health and wellbeing at GP surgeries through reminiscence. At Bursted Wood Surgery we were next door to the former Bexley Maternity Hospital which was built in 1937 and stimulated some childbirth memories!

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Join Archives Officer Penny Duggan for a guided walk of Sidcup on Tuesday 26 May 10.30am-12 at #SidcupStoryteller Ageing Well Hub. For Sidcup/Bexley residents aged over 50. No need to book, just drop in. #LiveWellAgeWell

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Hopefully it will be a bit warmer on the riverfront than it was yesterday!🥶

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

A super day sharing #localhistory at Bursted Wood for Bexley Buddies, an initiative that addresses non-medical needs within GP surgeries. I’m determined to get #BexleyArchives out and about! A perfect place for reminiscing about the former Maternity Hospital next door which is to be redeveloped.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

A magical carpet of bluebells was exactly the antidote I needed this evening!

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

We held a dedication ceremony yesterday for the oak tree planted by Lamorbey and Sidcup LHS to remember the civilians who died in the Second World War, thanks to funding from Coca Cola. Over 100 people died in the Sidcup district and many more were injured.

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Do you have Irish ancestry? Today is an exciting day if you do, with the release of the 1926 census for Ireland. Here at Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre we have a large collection of family history books to assist with your #familyhistory. #1926census

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I have a spring in my step today with the launch of the 1926 census. My grandmother had already left for London by then but all her family were still in Ireland. The employment information is fascinating. #1926census

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Join us for a Rebellious Ramble through the Loyalist Land with Community Archivist Oliver Wooller – a guided walk from Danson to Hall Place marking 250 years since American Declaration of Independence. Tickets £5. Contact us to book your place at archives@bexley.gov.uk.

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Join us on 20 June 2.30-4pm for A Walk Around Welling, with Archives Officer Penny Duggan. From a hamlet on Watling Street to a bustling high street, what events have had an impact on its history? Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Join our walk on 16 May 2.30-4pm – 'The General Strike in Erith' with Archives Officer Penny Duggan. How did the 9-day strike in 1926 affect workers and what impact did it have on residents in Erith? Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

#BexleyArchives guided walks coming soon: 16 May: The General Strike in Erith 20 June: A Walk Around Welling 18 July: A Rebellious Ramble through the Loyalist Land, from Danson to Hall Place We are now taking a break and will re-open on 7 April. We wish you a Happy Easter.

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Tomorrow is the #Blackfen Easter Fayre. At 11am I'm leading a guided walk of Blackfen - a bit different to last year as it has a music theme running through it, combining two of my favourite things! 🎶😍 #localhistory #music

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Join Archives Officer Penny Duggan for 'Memories of School Days', a reminiscence-style interactive session talking about where we live. 24 March 10.30am-12 at #Sidcup Storyteller Ageing Well Hub for Sidcup/Bexley residents aged over 50. No need to book, just drop in. #LiveWellAgeWell

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The Lamorbey & Sidcup Local History Society with funding from Coca-Cola has planted an oak tree at The Green #Sidcup to remember the almost 90 civilians of Sidcup who died in the Second World War. Many thanks to Coca-Cola and London Borough of Bexley Parks team for their help.

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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Don’t miss the Blackfen Easter Fayre on Saturday 28 March 10am-3pm! We have a market, crafts, magic, treasure hunt, #localhistory walk, games and bingo. Thanks to Tom’s Butchers, Spar and Blackfen Chiropractic Clinic for sponsoring the entertainment. #Blackfen #Easter

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Gone full circle today doing an event on the history of Sidcup at Queensgate Apartments which is built on the site of the maternity hospital where I was born! And pleased I managed to squeeze into one talk Queen Victoria, Dame Ethel Smyth, Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones. #Sidcup #localhistory

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

I joined Kent Libraries last week. They’d run out of adult cards so gave me a children’s one temporarily… but I want to keep this one! #WorldBookDay

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Family History Federation @federationfhs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Family History Societies survive because of volunteers. Every hour given helps protect records, knowledge, and heritage. With just a little time you can get involved in many different ways. Find your local society and ask about how you can help? www.familyhistoryfederation.com/find-a-society

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Penny Duggan @pennyduggan.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

What are archivists supposed to call themselves in the outside world? On being asked my occupation at the opticians today, ‘archivist’ does not exist: computer said no. I tried ‘historian’ - also a no. In a panic I resorted to my former career ‘editor’. Was I supposed to go for ‘librarian’?

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