Official Opening of the Heritage Annex – 23rd May 2026

On Saturday 23rd May, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne was delighted to welcome Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Simon Dean OBE DL, who officially opened the Heritage Annex in Rainham as our President, Paul Auston DL was unavailable due to work commitments and asked Simon to stand in for him.

Simon has a long-standing connection with Sittingbourne, as he is the grandson of Donald Dean VC, the town’s First World War Victoria Cross recipient, and has therefore long been aware of the work undertaken by HRGS, especially the work and events the group took on during the WW1 Centenary. We were especially honoured that this visit marked his first official engagement as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

During a two-hour tour of the Heritage Annex, Simon explored the extensive displays prepared for the occasion and learned more about the remarkable resources held by HRGS, including our library, paper archives, and archaeological collections.

For full story go to our News page.

The Move and New Research Room in Rainham – 1st March 2026

After eleven highly successful years, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne closed its Heritage Hub at the Forum Shopping Centre on 6th February 2026.

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our members, volunteers, friends, and family, we have successfully completed the move to our new home at: 2nd Floor Heritage Annex, 106–110 High Street, Rainham, ME8 8AR.

Sadly though, the public cannot just turn up, as we share our access, so the ground floor is locked. Though we will be pleased to receive visitors by appointment.

The move required all our items to be relocated, up three flights of stairs. The items included 5,000 books, 197 boxes of artifacts and documents, 20 bookcases, desks, chairs and various other items. In all, about 5,700 items.

The move was nothing short of a herculean undertaking. Over several demanding days, an exceptional display of loyalty, commitment, teamwork undertaken by 41 individuals, in convoy in their cars, by their sheer determination it brought the move-phase to a triumphant conclusion after 1069 hours, equalling 172 man days!

One Era Ends and a New Era Begins – 6th February 2026

On Friday 6th February 2026 after 11 wonderful years HRGS’s Heritage Hub in The Forum, Sittingbourne, closed its doors. Pictured are the HRGS Committee, some members and volunteers outside the Hub on this milestone day.

While this is a big change, it’s not the end — it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sittingbourne’s history.

Since opening in 2015, the Hub has welcomed thousands of visitors and become a much-loved place to explore local heritage. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has visited, volunteered, donated or supported us along the way — you’ve helped keep Sittingbourne’s history alive.

So what happens next?

Monthly Heritage Pop-Up
From March, you’ll find us in the Forum on the first Saturday of every month — bring photos or artefacts, collect The Archive, pre-order books, or just come and say hello.

Talks, Digs & Updates
Our talks at the Avenue Theatre will continue, along with our summer archaeology digs. You’ll still get news via our website, Facebook and The Archive newsletter.

Research Room in Rainham
Our library, archaeology collection and archives will be available at 110 High Street, Rainham by appointment. Many volunteering roles can also be done from home, including research, writing, cataloguing and transcription. Message us, if you would like to be involved.

Working with Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
We’re strengthening our partnership to bring local history to life in new and exciting ways.

A New High Street Home
We’re working with Swale Borough Council to secure a new permanent base in Sittingbourne’s High Street.

“History is the glue that holds communities together” and with your support, Sittingbourne’s heritage has a bright future ahead.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

HRGS thank the current and previous owners of The Forum for their kind generosity in allowing us to be there.

The Train That Jump The Gap – 24th January 2026

Richard Emmett’s book The Train That Jump The Gap prompted Steve Ladner to contact HRGS to make a recording about some of the research that Richard has undertaken regarding the train that jumped the gap.

This World War II disaster at Oak Lane, Upchurch, examines a unique local wartime incident that occurred on Wednesday 16th August 1944, when nine people lost their lives with many more being injured.

Click here for the link if you wish to listen to the BBC Radio Kent recording.

Richard’s book is available from our shop priced at £12.00.

Bapchild WW2 Book of Remembrance – 15th November 2025

On Saturday, the 15th November, HRGS attended St Laurence Church, Bapchild and were pleased to present them with their folder of research which had been undertaken by HRGS’ ‘War Memorial Project’ team.

Research into the local parishes fallen from WW1 and WW2 has been taking place over the last 13 years… it is by far our longest continuing local research project which has additional names and information coming to light almost weekly!

(L-R) Theresa Emmett, Alarni, Richard Emmett, Margaret Edwards from Bapchild church, and Janet Halligan.

Ethelbert Road Council School WW2 War Memorial – 11th November 2025

On 11th November, our Treasurer Stephen Palmer, attended the Remembrance service at The Abbey School, Faversham, and laid a wreath on behalf of the Imperial War Museum, as he is a volunteer for their War Memorial Register.

The Abbey School are custodians of a oak WW2 War Memorial from the former Ethelbert Road Council School, commemorating 37 old boys.

At the service Stephen also presented a Book of Remembrance, on behalf of HRGS, with the stories of each of the 37 names commemorated on the memorial. The Book of Remembrance has been posted by The Abbey School here.

Below is shown Stephen alongside Simon Dannell (The Abbey School), Explorer and Scouts, Reverend Dan Corcoran, and Kayleigh Masters, a cadet who attends the school.

Visit The Heritage Hub in The Forum, Sittingbourne, to see more on the memorial and the stories of the names on HRGS’ inter-active display.

Kemsley and Grovehurst WW2 War Memorial Re-Dedication – 27th October 2025

On Monday 27th October 2025, a re-dedication of the Kemsley and Grovehurst WW2 Memorial took place at Kemsley Community Centre. The memorial, first unveiled in 1952 at the Kemsley Club House, honours 12 mill workers and three civilians killed in air raids. Rescued from a skip when the Kemsley Arms closed in 2013, the plaque was safeguarded and later moved to HRGS’s Heritage Hub before being installed in its new permanent home.

The ceremony, led by Lay Minister Jill Petts, was well attended, including relatives of June Kingsnorth and Leonard Shrubsall.

A Book of Remembrance containing biographies of those commemorated was presented by Stephen Palmer (pictured left) who represented HRGS to the Community Centre trustee Mike Dendor (pictured right) The book had been compiled by HRGS volunteer researchers from the groups ‘War Memorials Project’.

We are Open – 11th October 2025

Important news

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum closed on the 11th October 2025.

The Heritage Hub in The Forum is open.

However, we are the last unit that The Forum team are looking to rent out so our days may be numbered.

The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) and Sittingbourne Heritage Museum are working together to find a longer term solution.

The Heritage Hub has enjoyed 11 years in The Forum rent free and sadly this may have to come to an end.

We will continue to function and provide talks, research etc and we will continue to keep you informed of what is happening.

Our opening hours are: Tuesday to Saturday – 10am to 4pm

Volunteers Needed – 6 September 2025

The Heritage Hub has recently had to close for the odd day, due to leave a shortage of volunteers to cover.

If you would like to volunteer to steward The Heritage Hub, which is open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday then please Contact Us.

Other volunteering opportunities are available and more information for these can be found on our Volunteering page.

Our Patron, Sir Anthony Cleaver – 25 July 2025

Sir Anthony Cleaver

It is with great sadness that we report that the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne’s patron Sir Anthony Cleaver passed away peacefully on Sunday, 13th July 2025, aged 87.

HRGS celebrate 21 years – 14th June 2025

On 14th June 2025 HRGS celebrated its 21st year as a group. To commemorate the event we held an exhibition in The Heritage Hub and The Forum, together with games, and tea and cake.

The event was well attended by the public and HRGS volunteers past and present.

To view photos of the event and read more click here.

HRGS on Tiktok – February 2025

HRGS hosted three students, Oscar, Zofia and Torres, from Westlands School from 10th to 14th February 2025.

During the week they were involved in several activities including scanning, bagging and cataloguing archaeological finds, researching Polish airmen and The Coniston Hotel, researching WW2 casualties.

They also created a script and filmed inside the heritage Hub, taking multiple attempts to film the clip to a good standard, for Tiktok.

Here is the link to the advert on Tiktok.

The students were enthusiastic in participating in the various activities, and had some great discussions on various topics and putting the world to rights, with the volunteers they met during their week.

HRGS Talks Programme and Archaeology Dig Dates for 2025

The Talks Programme for 2025 is now available through our Events Calendar and are open to all. Access is free to members. We ask for a £4 fee for non-members, and e-members and SHM members qualify for a 50% discount. Tickets are available at the door of the Avenue Theatre or from our shop.

Our Dig Dates and Finds Processing dates are also available on our event calendar and members can attend free. Non-members are welcome at £5 per day on the dig days.

Can you help to identify WW2 and WW1 names? – 12th January 2025

HRGS has been running the War Memorials Project for eight years, whose objective was initially to identify Sittingbourne’s World War One fallen that were commemorated on local war memorials. The project expanded to include Milton Regis and surrounding villages and then to the whole of Swale.

The project expanded to identify all of Swale’s War memorials, numbering about 230, with help from the Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register.

The project was then further expanded to include World War Two fallen.

The project has identified about 3,300 fallen from World War One and about 1,260 for World War Two.

As 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, HRGS would like your help to identify 30 names where research has yet to identify who they were.

The list of names can be found here.

Avenue of Remembrance Poppies – 1st November 2024

For the second year, Sittingbourne’s Avenue of Remembrance and Central Avenue memorial trees have been dressed with large poppies ready for this year’s Remembrance Day on 10th November 2024.

Thanks to Sarah Fish from Flowers by Beatrice (8 East Street) who supplied all of the ribbon and bows and helping to dress the trees plus thanks to – Stewart, Janet, Theresa, Richard from HRGS and Sittingbourne Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club.

HRGS at Sittingbourne Carnival – 25th August 2024

Sittingbourne Carnival was revived this year after five years absence with over 40 floats taking part. It was great fun and started at Milton Regis recreation ground and finished at Bell Road, Sittingbourne.

HRGS had a ‘walking float’ and dressed up as wartime characters from the 1940’s pushing a wheelbarrow of produce, plus handing out leaflets about HRGS.

Kemsley Mill – Heritage Celebrations – 13th July 2024

Saturday 13th July saw DS Smith celebrate 100 years of Kemsley Mill at The Appleyard Sports Ground, Gore Court Road, which included many items covering the history of the mill and also a Vintage Fair.

The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne had a stand at the Fair, to promote the group and a most enjoyable afternoon was had.

The team met and talked with DS Smith past and present employees, as well as letting the community know about HRGS’ research and archaeological work locally.

We even had the pleasure of meeting the Mill Manager David Deparis and Mill Director Rogier Gerritsen plus family descendants of the Sittingbourne mill owner, Edward Lloyd, whose son Frank Lloyd then built Kemsley Mill.

Read the full news article here.

Sittingbourne Quiz Competition – 16th May 2024

To encourage families to engage with their local history, HRGS launched the ‘Sittingbourne Quiz Trail at The Forum. Thanks to a grant from Councillor Karen Watson HRGS were able to run a competition, aimed at young local residents, who were asked ‘What is important about History’ to them.

We received over 150 entries many were heart-lifting to read.

Although open to all schools in Sittingbourne, only Newington CEP School replied. So, on 16th May 2024, Richard Emmett Chairman of HRGS along with Cllr Watson, newly elected Deputy Mayor of Swale, presented the Quiz Trail prizes to representatives from the school who received the booklets on behalf of their classmates.

Well done all… a total of 113 entries had been submitted.

Thank you to the Head of School, Simon Krafft, and History Lead Chloee Blackbourn for arranging Newington school’s participation.

With many interesting local facts, the Sittingbourne Quiz Trail is available from the Heritage Hub in The Forum and other outlets around the town – price £5.99.

Sittingbourne Quiz Trail Launch – 30th March 2024

Easter Saturday 2024 we launched the Sittingbourne Quiz Trail and Town Souvenir in the Forum outside the Heritage Hub in Sittingbourne. Our thanks go to Her Worship The Mayor of Swale, Councillor Sarah Stephen and the Mayor’s Consort, Councillor Paul Stephen. Also a HUGE thanks to Councillor Karen Watson who sponsored a competition for young local people to win a Sittingbourne Quiz Trail to encourage children to engage with their local history.

The competition resulted in over 150 entries (see here for the amazing thoughts of our young residents) – the children each writing a piece setting out why learning about history is SO important. Their write ups were heart-lifting to read and it’s so encouraging to see evidence of the next generation being inspired to learn local history.

The Quiz Trail is a fun activity for all ages, that should take about 2-3 hours to complete. It will guide you round the town, encouraging you to look at various aspects that you may never have noticed before and includes snippets of history, some that HRGS assisted with and some new to us all!

This Quiz Trail is extra special as it’s a story trail! We teamed up with the Quiz Trail team, Liz, Becky and Laura, to make a story around the streets of Sittingbourne.

The trail includes a murder mystery for adults, PLUS a junior story – a Roman’s hat has gone missing! Fun for the whole family.

Sittingbourne Quiz Trail is full of local facts and stories, presented in short snippets and lots of highlights.

On your walk you will also see lots of wonderful history sights and take-home a souvenir packed with loads of local history tales.

The Quiz Trail is 24 pages and can be taken at a pace to suit you, typically 1 to 2 hours – all outside.

Explore the history of Sittingbourne in a new way!

Available for sale at our online shop or in the Heritage Hub in The Forum for £5.99.

To read about the Quiz Trail launch and view pictures of a competition click here.

New Book Release – 100 Years of Sittingbourne’s Living Memorial

HRGS has released a new book to celebrate the centenary of Sittingbourne’s Avenue of Remembrance.

This 400 page book, in A4 format, documents the history of the Avenue from its conception to the present day, and the changes that it has seen during its 100 year history.

The book also tells the stories of the 182 Sittingbourne men that the Avenue commemorates, who gave their lives in the First World War.

HRGS are able to offer the book at a subsided price of £12.50, thanks to grants from Queenborough Fishery Trust and Local Government Levelling Up.

The book is available from The Heritage Hub, The Forum, Sittingbourne or online at our shop.