Doddington Library
The Doddington parish library contains nearly 400 printed books, most dating from 1600s and 1700s but with the oldest printed in 1505. There is a copy of the Geneva Bible of 1560 nicknamed the 'Breeches Bible'. Around 280 of the books were printed in England, the remainder on the continent. The collection was formed in the early 1700s by Daniel Somerscales for use in his work as vicar of Doddington, to which were added some 30 books by John Radcliffe (or Ratcliffe), a Doddington vicar of the early 19th century. more
The pre-1800 holdings of the library can be viewed online on the English Short Title Catalogue (ESTC) of the British Library.
Access is by appointment via the Town Clerk 01795 503286 or louise.bareham@favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Kent County Council Archives
The KCC Archives include a wide variety of material on Faversham www.kentarchives.org.uk
Police Museum
They collect and care for a large number of donated artefacts reflecting the rich history of Kent Police from 1857 until the present day and aim to share this very important historical resource with the widest possible audience.
The collections include uniforms and equipment from both the past and present; crime-related artefacts; historical documents and official records, and a large photographic collection. Their current holdings include 10,000 photographs, 5,000 documents and newspaper articles, 1,500 books/journals and 3,000 films. www.kent.police.uk
Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer - and while 1698 is the Brewery's official founding date, there is clear evidence that its heritage pre-dates even this period. This timeline details the significant events in the Company's history, from the first brewers in Faversham to the arrival of the Shepherd family and the Neames, right up to its current status as a successful, award-winning business. A Faversham native, John Owen is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and chairs The Faversham Historians. He has been researching the brewery’s history for nearly a decade. https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/brewery/brewery-history
Faversham Historians
Originally formed in 1986, the Faversham Historians Group consisted of people who undertook an astonishing amount of research into some aspect of the history of the Faversham area and its people. Led by Arthur Percival, Duncan Harrington, Patricia Hyde and John Owen, its aims were twofold: to provide networking opportunities and to encourage the publication of members’ research to the highest level and quality. The Faversham Historians were independent of the Society although many of them were members.
Numbers grew to about 45 quite quickly but they have not met since Covid. Just like the Faversham Historical Society did after 1962 or the Faversham Institute history group did after 1926, sadly they have now passed into history. Virtually every Faversham Paper and book published post 1986 about Faversham's history was written by one their members. Many of the authors were ' enthusiastic amateurs' who without the group's encouragement would not have achieved what they did to uncover our local history.
Patricia and Duncan particularly were exceptionally generous in their support and their co-authored books are seminal works of lasting scholarship and value to the town.
