The Fanes of Kent: Talk by the Rochester Bridge Trust
Please come and join us for a talk by the Chief Executive of Rochester Bridge Trust (RBT). Doors open at 6pm. There will be fizz and canapes afterwards and we are asking attendees to pay £5 a head to help cover the costs.
As you may know RBT were extremely supportive of our recent tower project, gifting us £31,000 towards the cost. They are also offering to pay for conservation work on the substantial 17th century monument to Sir Thomas and Dame Helen Fane. It is wonderful that they are showing such interest in us and we would like to reciprocate with a good turnout!
Whilst the main focus of the evening will be the talk and the exhibition that RBT propose setting up in the bell tower, it also falls on the first anniversary of the death of Gilly Devas. The bench acquired in her memory is already installed in the Old Churchyard but we will be unveiling the display cabinet, also funded with donations for her, which has been made to show off and keep safe our 1613 bible. We intend to have the bible open at the page that makes this a rare “She Bible”.
Please contact us on forsters.hunton [at] btinternet.com if you can come so we can have some idea of numbers for catering. Also, if you are aware of anyone, from the village or outside who would like to come then please do encourage them to do so.
The Fanes of Kent: National Impact, Local Connection
A prominent local family with links in Kent dating back to the 14th century, the Fanes have played a key role both in the village of Hunton and in the management of Rochester Bridge over the centuries.
With links to the Black Prince, Thomas Cromwell and Queen Elizabeth I, the Fanes were at the forefront of both national and local events from the comfort of the Kent countryside.
St Mary’s Church features a number of monuments to the family including the impressive tomb of Sir Thomas and Lady Helen Fane which dominates the chancel. Sir Thomas fulfilled a series of important roles including Sheriff of Kent, Lieutenant of Dover Castle and Member of Parliament, and was also appointed to the Rochester Bridge Trust at a key moment in the history of this strategic crossing, first built by the Romans.
Celebrating 450 years of connection between Hunton and the Rochester Bridge Trust, this talk will expand on the exhibition currently on display and explore the impact of the Fane family within the county of Kent and how they are still remembered today.
Sue Threader is the Bridge Clerk (Chief Executive) of the Rochester Bridge Trust. She is a Chartered Civil Engineer, Fellow and Chairman of the Archives Panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers. She is Chairman of the National, Bridge Owners Forum, and one of two elected Bridgemasters of London and the first woman to hold that position.