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 presentation
Thursday 26 February 2026
Charles Dickens and Kent
Charles Dickens lived as a child in Sheerness and Chatham, honeymooned near Gravesend and often spent the summer in Broadstairs. He lived his last days in Rochester. Kent features in many of his novels, including Great Expectations, David Copperfield and The Pickwick Papers.
After his death in 1870, Dickens’ connection with Kent captured the public imagination. Visitors travelled to the county looking for the sites associated with Pip, Magwitch, David Copperfield and Esther Summerson. Enthusiastic guide writers were on hand to help them. Today, tourists still flock to Rochester and Broadstairs for the Dickens Festivals.
Our guest speaker, Carolyn Oulton will explain what Dickens said about the seaside resorts and towns he helped to popularise. And, she asks, should we believe him?
Carolyn Oulton is Professor of Victorian Literature at Canterbury Christ Church University. She has lectured to the Dickens Fellowship and has a close relationship with the Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs. She is director of the ‘Let’s do the time walk again!’, a National Lottery funded project that explores what it meant to live near the Kent coast at a time when the railways and literary celebrity were transforming the holiday experience.
Thursday 26th February, Shepherdswell Village Hall @ 7.30pm
Click here to check out our 2026 Programme of Events and we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.
The society normally holds monthly meetings and regular talks at Shepherdswell Village Hall.
To view our full 2026 programme of events click here but do check this website regularly for any updates or amendments to the programme.
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.