#OTD 1885 A letter to the Strand Board of Guardians detailed how the pauper dead of London could be transported to Reculver, encased in a sarcophagus of concrete, and used to build a defensive sea wall. The idea was abandoned almost as soon as it was received.

#OTD 1961 East Kent coroner Wilfred Mowll determined the skeleton found on Herne Bay beach was of a woman unknown, ending months of speculation that the remains might be those of Amy Johnson, lost in 1941. The only link was the number of teeth missing from the lower jaw.

Nice sign oh a basement wall. #ramsgate #kent #photography #photo #bnw #blackandwhite #mono #monochrome #photographersofbluesky #photooftheday #urban

#OTD 1900 The inmates of Chartham Asylum spent a very enjoyable day when they were given their annual outdoor treat. Mr Victor Roi of Canterbury provided swing boats, Punch and Judy show, niggers, musical clowns and a gramophone. A capital tea was served on the lawn.

#OTD 1808 A Deal gentleman has undertaken for a wager one hundred guineas, to pick up with his mouth one hundred stones at a yard distant from each, and carry them in his mouth to a basket placed at the last stone, within the space of fifty minutes.

#OTD 1925 The issue of verminous children was discussed at a Kent Education Committee meeting. Rates across the county amounted to 9%, but in some areas rose to 47%, due to the influx of hop pickers. Rather than erect costly cleansing stations, it was decided to fine parents.

#OTD 1958 Denton, winner of Kent's best kept village award, now has a litter problem. Cr. W Archibald said "As a result of the publicity, hundreds of visitors are coming daily - and dropping litter. It was much easier to keep the village tidy before the Press and TV came."

#OTD 1890 Dover painter William Moor (59) was knocked from the top of his ladder and killed by a passing fruit cart while painting what was to become the County Hotel in Stour St, Canterbury.

I always look at these Gnomes having a bit of fun with the old lady in the shoe every time i pass but dont take a photo - thought i would change that #ramsgate #kent #photography #photo #blackandwhite #monochrome #photographersofbluesky #gnome #gardengnome #ornaments

#OTD 1911 Crowds followed the wearer of a harem skirt up and down Ashford High-street. The young woman was in no way awed.

#OTD 1915 Miss Mullinger, daughter of a signalman at Margate railway station, is the first lady ticket-collector to be seen on duty at a Thanet station. Stationed at Broadstairs, she wears a spruce uniform, and adds pleasantly to the amenities of the travellers.

#OTD 1877 Granville Marina in Ramsgate was opened by the Mayor of London, with 7,000 celebrating well into the evening. A number of houses were built into the cliff face. London lawyer Mr E. Davis had developed the site, and also owned the Granville Hotel and Granville Estate.

#OTD 1940 Soldier Thomas Ostle faced an unusual charge of "Breaking out of an enclosed premises after committing a felony therein" after admitting stealing from a Westgate house. Police explained there was no evidence of him breaking in, but they could prove he broke out.

#OTD 1978 Passengers on the 8.32 Folkestone - Ashford train had the last laugh after a loud mouthed, wine swilling character wanting a sing song disrupted their usually peaceful trip. On arrival at Ashford, he revealed he had caught the wrong train, and should be in Dover.

#OTD 1931 The licensee of the Huntsman and Horn, Broomfield, Herne Bay has posted in his window in large black lettering the notice, "Free Beer To-morrow." The wheeze is causing a lot of amusement and those going for a free beer to-morrow find they are still a day too soon.

#OTD 1873 A St. Pancras man rode a Margate made Kelsey 4 wheeled velocipede 78 miles from Euston Square to Margate in under 12 hours, a record. As a result of this feat, manufacturer James Kelsey received more orders for his 4 wheelers than he could cope with.

#OTD 1967 The World Custard Pie Championships were first held, at Coxheath Primary School to boost funds for the village hall and playground. In this now annual event, teams of 4 throw pies with their left hand, and aim for their opponent's face, for a maximum of 6 points.

Things that shouldn't do in the heat is listen to songs like Tom Paine's Bones by The Trials of Cato and start bouncing. open.spotify.com/track/4s6MnZ... Good music and my local history combined though whilst researching is good. 😀 #Sandwich #Kent www.kentholidaycottages.co.uk/holiday-rent...

Tom Paine's Bones

The Trials of Cato · Hide and Hair · Song · 2018

open.spotify.com

#OTD 1913 The Herne Bay Ratepayers Association deemed the fixing of a speed limit in the town to be undesirable, and urged police should be allowed to exercise discretion in the matter, one member stating that motorists were as intelligent as most people.

#OTD 1911 St Peter's residents traced six loud explosions to the local blacksmith. The assembled crowd learned it was a blacksmith custom to celebrate a coronation (in this instance George V), by 'firing the anvil', by placing and striking gunpowder on an upturned anvil.

#OTD 1963 Farmers at West Hythe were this week asked to move their cattle away from an area being used during an Army demonstration week — because the cows have a habit of standing and staring at visiting parties of high ranking officers watching demonstrations.

Tonbridge Free Press 29th July 1938.

#OTD 1958 Maidstone & District bus company have started lending pushchairs to mums at Maidstone bus station. The scheme makes it easier for passengers to use rural one-man bus services, some of which barely break even. Pushchairs can be prebooked by postcard to the bus station.

#OTD 1883 An exciting race took place at Folkestone Warren between a greyhound belonging to Mr. Jordan and a well known runner named Spicer, the conditions being that the hound was to run 100 yards while the man run 50 yards. Spicer won easily.

#OTD 1178 Gervase, the official Chronicler of Canterbury reported that 5 cathedral monks see what is possibly the Giordano Bruno crater being formed. It is believed that the current oscillations of the Moon's distance from the Earth are a result of this collision.

It's #WordWednesday! Today's Kentish word from our online dictionary: Chums — n. house sparrows (The Kentish Note-Book 1, pp. 330–1; see also Chummies, Sparr). Notes from A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms (c1977), p.30. Search the dictionary by clicking on the link below:

Dictionary of the Kentish dialect — Kent History & Archaeology

Compiled by Camilla Harley.

kentarchaeology.org.uk

#OTD 1965 County education officer John Haynes officially opened the new Thanet Technical College at Yarrow House, Broadstairs, converted at a cost of £50,000 from a children's convalescent home built in 1894. It quickly became known as a top catering and hospitality college.

#OTD 1947 Passenger services on the Elham Valley line, running between Canterbury and Folkestone, were withdrawn in advance of full closure on October 1. It had struggled financially since it was built in 1887, due to terrain and motor vehicle competition.

#OTD 1968 Donald Mills, asst. secretary of the British UFO Association, settled down overnight in his garden at Helena Avenue, Margate for a 9 hour UFO spotting session. Some 700 fellow members did likewise across the country. His vigil netted only a satellite and 2 meteorites.

A book on mills dated 1931 showing an early purpose built electricity producing windmill in Kent. Nothing new in the world.