Welcome to the Shepherdswell & Coldred History Society
Through this site you will be taken on a journey to our past, learning how events have shaped the people of this area and how the people have shaped the area.
History is a very fluid subject and so we will be constantly updating the information on this site as we learn more about the village and its history.
The latest initiative from the History Society is “Blast from the Past”, a monthly article that explores some aspect of village life or history.
To view the latest edition, click here.
Our next meeting
Beating the Bounds with Steven Durbidge
Thursday 29th October – Shepherdswell Village Hall @ 7.30pm
In the days before maps and written title deeds, a knowledge of the physical boundaries of property was very important.
So the custom grew of walking the boundaries of a Parish, stopping at intervals to strike boundary stones, to mark the ‘bounds’.
In this talk, Steven will trace the history of ‘Beating the Bounds’ with special reference to Shepherdswell.
He will recreate the route taken by villagers when the practice was resurrected during the early 1920s.
The society normally holds monthly meetings and presentations at Shepherdswell Village Hall.
Click here to view our 2026 Programme of Events, but do check this website regularly for any updates or amendments to the programme.
We look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
To download a hard copy of the programme, simply click here.
To contact the History Society, please email shepherdswellhistory@gmail.com.
If you would like to become a member or renew your membership, you can either pay on the door at the next meeting or by BACS.
Click here for our bank details.
Our thanks to Dover District Council for the support it has given to the Society over the past few years which has greatly assisted our various projects as well as our ability to share the history of the village with the whole community.
The History Society is a member of the Kent Archaeological Society.