The East Kent Association is a voluntary association of National Trust members and volunteers founded in 1973 to promote and support the work of the National Trust in the area of East Kent around Canterbury.

The Association arranges a variety of talks, visits and social events that will add interest to membership of the National Trust. The Association is independent of the National Trust and is governed by its members under a constitution which is common to all the charity's associations.

Over recent years we have supported projects at a number of local properties including The Gateway to the White Cliffs, Scotney Castle, Emmett's Garden and Smallhythe Place among others.

During the winter, the Association meets at approximately monthly intervals for a programme of talks of wide and varied interest. In recent years, these have included talks such as Queen Elizabeth 1 in Contemporary Portraits, Watermen of the Thames and Kent Inn Signs and Their Stories. Meetings take place at St. Andrew's United Reformed Church in the centre of Canterbury at 2.30 p.m. on the first Wednesday in the month.

The summer programme of visits may include country and village walks as well as excursions to houses and gardens and usually a short holiday. Other social events usually include a coffee morning/bring and buy sale and a Christmas lunch.

Membership is open to all members of the National Trust and holders of volunteer cards. For further details, please contact the Membership Secretary, Mr. Derek Tee, Canterbury (01227)463903.

The Winter Programme 2009/2010 includes the following events:

Wednesday January 6th: SIR EDWIN LUTYENS, THE ARCHITECT WITH A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE Dick Bolton, a member of the Lutyens Trust, makes a welcome return to talk about the architect, who has been described as the greatest artist in building England has ever produced. He will examine the range of Lutyens' styles from that of Old West Surrey to the classicism of Wren and beyond, his mastery of locations, his understanding of materials, and his impish sense of humour.

Wednesday February 3rd: OCEAN LINER ART. SHIPS THAT SHAPED OUR LIVES 1800-1950 We welcome back James Taylor who will talk to us on the vision and genius of Isambard Brudel which underpins this global story of hopes and dreams, disasters and triumphs. The talk features a wide range of ships including Great Britain and Great Western, Lusitania and Mauretania, Olympic and Titanic, as well as the shipping lines brought to life through istoric and contemporary artworks. It will be illustrated with diverse images including insights into shipboard design and striking Art Deco shipping posters.

Wednesday March 3rd: THE CAGED LADY Our lecturer is Lee Ault who, among othr things, is Curator of the Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs, Honorary Secretary and Vice President of the Broadstairs Society and Chairman of the Canterbury Dickens Society. Lee will describe how a fashionable lady dressed in the nineteenth century. She will be showing the clothes and accessories in use at the time and explaining how these relate to social attitudes.

Wednesday April 7th: INTRIGUE, AMBITION AND RESPECTABILITY We welcome back Pat Mortlock to give us a talk on the owners of Ightham Mote from 1470 until 1640, and the role they played in its development. She will give us an insight into their characters, and the roles they played behind the throne.

Wednesday May 5th: 37th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING followed by a talk on Lady Arbella Stuart, the grand-daughter of Bess of Hardwick - she could well have had a more legitimate right to succeed Elizabeth I than did James VI of Scotland. It is quite a sad story.


Please note that the above programme may be subject to change. For further details and information on any of the events, please contact the Chairman of the Programme Committee, Mrs. Pam Gelman, Canterbury (01227) 793419.

For further information on the National Trust or on Associations in other areas, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk