As a member, an annual subscription entitles free access to the Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum and free entry to the monthly meetings of the Sheppey Local History Society.

Being a member of the Sheppey Local History Society, your subscription will not only keep the Society going but will also go towards keeping the Minster Abbey Gatehouse and its history alive for the future.

Anyone wishing to become a member (or renew their membership) can either send a cheque for £10 made out to the Sheppey Local History Society to:
Tony Pointing,
Membership Secretary,
5 St Mary’s Row, Scrapsgate Road,
Minster, Sheerness, Kent ME12 2BL

Or visit the Museum and speak to one of our volunteers. They will be happy to help you.

Thank you and regards,
Tony Pointing
Membership Secretary

~ Letter from the Membership Secretary ~

Sheppey Local History Society and the Minster Gatehouse Museum

The Sheppey Local History Society took over the management and day-to-day running of the Minster Gatehouse Museum in 1981.

It is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who offer their time and resources to maintain the building, the grounds and its displays, and who work hard to preserve the Isle of Sheppey’s local history and heritage for the enjoyment of all.

In addition to hosting regular festive community events the Society also offers individually tailored experiences for those who wish to organise a private gathering within unique historical surroundings.

Becoming Involved

Help of any kind is always welcome, and the more people involved the greater the scope of our activities can be. If you would like to volunteer your time or resources please contact us.

Volunteers must be current members of the Sheppey Local History Society.

Sheppey Local History Society Commitment

The past year has shown the number of visitors increase by 30%, and the Society now has charitable status to enable the widening of its activities, and to support its commitment to:

  • Advance Education
  • Advance Citizenship and Community Development
  • Advance the Arts, Culture, Heritage and Science.
  • Joining the Sheppey Local History Society

Membership is currently £10.00 per annum, and includes unlimited access to the Minster Gatehouse Museum as well as free entry to our events and talks throughout the year.

Meeting Venue / Time

Unless indicated otherwise meetings take place at the Minster Working Men’s Club, adjacent to the Gatehouse Museum, on Union Road, Minster, Isle of Sheppey, Kent. There is plenty of parking spaces available, and refreshments can be purchased at the bar.

All meetings are scheduled to start at 7.30pm, please arrive from 7.15pm (unless listed otherwise)

Programme of Sheppey Local History Society meetings for 2025

January 28th: Hogarths Peregrinations by Chris Reed

February 25th: Past Sheppey Short Stories by Daf Charman

March 25th: Martin Hawkins presents TBC

April 29th: The River Medway from Source to Sea by David Brown

May 27th: The story of Amy Johnson, by Jane

June 24th: Visit and Tour of Eastchurch Aviation Museum (meet at museum)

July 30th: Sheerness Dockyard by Jeremy Thornton and Andrew Byrne, 6:30pm Sheerness Dockyard Church

August: Bus Trip

September 30th: Castles in Kent talk by Alanna Kite at Minster Working Men’s Club

October 28th: AGM

All are welcome to attend our meetings; entry is free to members of Sheppey Local History Society on presentation of their membership cards, and only £2 to non-members. There is also a raffle with all proceeds going to Sheppey Local History Society to enable us to keep providing events and run the Gatehouse Museum.