We started the evening with most enjoyable Christmas nibbles, organised by the branch Hon. President Joan Wood. Accompanying the nibbles was a talk by local author Geoff Doel about Secret Canterbury. Or as Geoff said some places, as locals, we may already know but many we may not. The places Geoff mentioned were taken from his book of the same title, co-written with Fran, his wife, who was not able to be present this evening.
Through many ‘Then and Now’ slides of maps, photos and sketches we explored our city discovering snippets about places we pass daily not realising the history and happenings surrounding them. These included alms houses, priories, churches and a synagogue. Geoff continued with local authors associated with Canterbury: Marlowe, Aphra Benn, Jane Austin. He then spoke about local customs Miracle plays, Medieval pageants and parades with Giant reproductions of famous people. Many of these customs are still continued during Canterbury's Medieval Weekend usually held in August.
Beating the bounds was a medieval tradition to establish the boundaries of the parish by beating at points along the parish boundary with sticks. This was a way to teach the next generation the area their parish covered. The tradition dwindled after the Reformation but was revived in the Victorian era and some parishes still keep up the tradition today.
Geoff’s interest in Folk music led him to Morris dancers. He said they are not documented very early in Kent as they are in some other parts of England. However, the Hooden Horse that accompanies them is an early Kent tradition. Geoff showed photos of Ian, our Branch Treasurer, with the Hooden Horse at a traditional Christmas pub evening. Ian cross-dresses to play the Maid who ‘cleans up’ after the Hooden Horse whilst complaining loudly about the mess! Geoff got Ian to demonstrate the voice of the Maid. (What some folk will do for a couple of pints?)
There were too many items in Geoff’s book to mention them all and he ended the evening with a rendition of a poem about Christmas and sang a folk song ‘The Keys of Heart ’which mentions Canterbury.
Thanks, must go to Viv our Speakers Secretary for choosing an apt speaker and subject for a festive evening and also for the past year’s excellent programme.Viv’s 2020 programme is on this website with many interesting subjects to look forward to.
Report by Tricia Baxter
Next Meeting
14th February 2020 - NB: Canterbury Branch does not meet in January
Peter Ewart will give a talk entitled
Parish Records: problems, pitfalls and perplexities.