CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF KENT
CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF KENT
The community of Cambridge University Alumni in Kent, U.K.
WHO WE ARE
The Cambridge Society of Kent arranges meetings for members of Cambridge University residing in Kent to meet and to foster interests they have in common. We are part of a worldwide network of alumni societies of the University and maintain close links with the University Alumni Office.
Membership is open to any former or current member of Cambridge University living in Kent or nearby areas, together with Friends of the University. Membership costs £10.00 a year and members pay for each event that they attend.
WHAT WE DO
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The Society organises four meetings a year: two outings over the summer to places of interest in or reasonably near to Kent, and two talks during the winter. There is a convivial lunch at each meeting when members can enjoy a meal together in a relaxed environment.
We also organise a reception in September for freshers living in Kent who are about to go up to Cambridge for the first time, giving them a chance to meet other freshers and to learn a little about life at Cambridge from second or third year undergraduates.
FUTURE EVENTS
LEEDS CASTLE TOUR
YOTES COURT WINE TASTING
Tuesday 21st May
The history of Leeds Castle goes back some 900 years to the time when it was built as a fortress after the Conquest. It has a rich history, from its connections with seven Queens of England, to Lady Olive Baillie who held fabled house parties at the Castle in the 1930s.
We shall have a private tour led by one of the Castle’s experienced tour guides, followed by lunch in an attractive dining room on the estate.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
We would love to see you.
Contact the Secretary, David Bonner for more details about these events (email: d-bonner@sky.com) and to book your place.
Thursday 25th July
"The vineyard is located to the west of Yotes Court, an historic English Heritage Grade 1 listed manor house between the picturesque villages of West Peckham and Mereworth in Kent.
Originally a soft and top fruit farm the vineyard was meticulously planted in 2016 following discussions with Stephen Skelton MW who identified it as a perfect site. The land is a beautiful south sloping site looking towards Bidborough Ridge and Tunbridge Wells with free-draining soil full of chunks of Kentish ragstone. When it comes to the soil for growing the perfect grapes the rockier the better.
The continuous weathering of this parent material results in fertile fine clays and free draining sands. The south-sloping aspect allows these rocky soils to heat up relatively quickly, thus altering the microclimate enough to enhance the vine and grape maturity required for fine wine production.”
We have booked a private visit to the vineyard, a tasting of the wines and a light lunch afterwards. The day will start with a visit to the fascinating Palladian Church at Mereworth, where our guide will be the Rev. Canon Brian Stevenson.
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RECENT EVENTS
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN TALK
Our President, Rev. Canon Brian Stevenson gave a fascinating talk on the family of Sir Christopher Wren, throwing light on their connections with leading scientists, academics and clerics of their time and importantly with royalty. This gave Wren the opportunity to show his genius as an architect, as he designed college chapels, 51 churches in London following the Great Fire, the Library at Trinity Cambridge, and his masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral.
As it says on the inner side of the cupola of St Paul’s, "si monumentum requiris circumspice" : "if you need a monument to him just look around you."
OUR COMMITTEE
The Society is run by a Committee.
The current members are:
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Brian Stevenson (President)
Miriam Westendarp (Chairman)
Margot Croft (Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary)
Althea Chapman (Events Secretary)
David Bonner (Secretary)
Nick Ward (Treasurer)
David Palmer
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more about the Society, or would like to join, email the Secretary, David Bonner, d-bonner@sky.com
