Kent 1800 - 1899
by Bob Ogley
About the Talk: Kent in the 19th century
It was more than 30 years ago, before he retired, that Bob began to write a regular weekly feature for the Sevenoaks Chronicle under the pseudonym, Chronicler. At the time he was editor of the newspaper and when two long-serving reporters both retired so he took over the responsibility for the "nostalgic stuff".
This involved looking back in the files to find a topical story with a link to the present, recalling anniversary events and bringing to life personalities from the past. Photographs were essential — black and white pictures of the days when the High Street was a road of packed dirt, horses and rigs were churning up clouds of dust and tradesmen used carts of various kinds.
In retirement he continued as a 'freelance' part of the Chronicler team. This led on to him becoming the author of a series of popular books or chronicles about Kent in times past.