2021

SLHS MEETING

The first meeting of the Sheppey Local History Society was held on Wednesday 23rd June 2021 at the Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum outside under the arch and the subject was the history of Minster Abbey Gatehouse itself. Martin Hawkins led a presentation of copies of historic photographs and etchings of the Gatehouse through the different eras and the changes to the Gatehouse building. As well as this, members heard the story of the latest incarnation of the building being transformed into the museum it has become, extensive remodelling inside of the building and the challenges the history society faced.

Round the Island bus trip

On the 3rd July 2021 we were fortunate enough to be able to run a covid-secure vintage bus trip. A 1956 AEC Regent 5, resplendent in the cream and green of Maidstone and District Buses and driven by Paul; took a small group of passengers on a drive to Leysdown, before a break at Eastchurch Aviation Museum. Peter West at Eastchurch Aviation Museum kindly gave a talk on Sheppey and its part in the history of flight. It was then all-aboard for the drive back to the Gatehouse Museum for a cream tea under the ancient archway. The trip raised funds towards the upkeep of the Museum, with special thanks to Paul for his lovely bus and his time. It was his first trip in 18 months given the restrictions caused by the pandemic and he has always been a supporter of the Museum. See our Facebook page for pictures.

We hope to be able to run another trip in 2022, so watch this space!