00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Chronicles, where we turn back time on all of Kent's history,
00:24from the Mesolithic era to the Industrial Revolution and everything in between.
00:30I'm Bartholomew Hall, and join me as we turn back time and discuss all things history.
00:35But first, this Saturday, the Canterbury Medieval Pageant is back for its 10th anniversary.
00:42This year, the event is focused on the medieval pilgrims who came to Canterbury to visit the Shrine of Thomas Beckett,
00:48as well as Geoffrey Chaucer, who wrote the Canterbury Tales.
00:52The parade will begin at the Westgate Towers before finishing at Canterbury Cathedral.
00:57The pageant will also feature battling knights, blacksmiths and even squires.
01:02The event is organised by Canterbury Business Improvement District,
01:05and their chief executive said she is delighted to see the festival's continuing growth in popularity.
01:13In Broadstairs, there are increasing calls for a traditional Punch and Judy show to drop scenes depicting domestic violence.
01:20Broadstairs Town Council has agreed to spend Ā£3,000 to stage the over 300-year-old show.
01:27The domestic abuse charity Refuge is calling on organisers to change or remove the show's more violent elements.
01:34Well, they say it's important to recognise the harm that can come from violence.
01:37Margate's Oasis domestic abuse organisation has also called for the shows to be dropped altogether,
01:43as many fear the show trivialises violence.
01:46After 33 years, Whitstable band Rubber Biscuit will be performing for the last time at the end of August.
01:55Initially, the band was only put together for one performance for National Music Day in 1992.
02:01Since then, they've gained a lot of popularity and have played for more than 1,000 shows across the county.
02:07The 12-piece cover band has seen a rotation of members,
02:09but Debbie Lewis has been there since the original line-up and she says it's been a joy and privilege to be part of the band.
02:18Now, former Gurkwa and double above-the-knee amputee Harry Budamagar from Kent has set off on a 150-mile ride to Belgium,
02:27hand-cycling alongside fellow veterans to honour the fallen and raise funds for those still living with the scars of sacrifice.
02:34Well, the Tommy Ride took place for eight years now.
02:38Each journey peddles a powerful message of remembrance, resilience and support for veterans past and present.
02:45Gabriel Morris reports.
02:47You might mistake it for a start of a race, but these riders aren't chasing medals, they're riding with memory.
02:54In the 8th annual Tommy Ride, more than 40 cyclists are setting off from Ellsford to Belgium.
03:00So, leading the pack is Harry Budamagar, a former Gurkwa and the first double-above-the-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest.
03:09That's handbrake, that's a brake as well and there's a gear on here.
03:15Unlike the others, Harry powers his trike by hand and it's his first time taking part.
03:21Last year I came to start this event and this year I think I should get involved and support to RBLI for whatever they do.
03:36They do an amazing job to support our veterans.
03:38So, I come here to support RBLI and RBLI can support our veterans.
03:43He's joined by three former colleagues, all four losing limbs to IEDs in the same week in Afghanistan, 15 years ago.
03:53I got injured in the second operational tour.
03:56I almost completed like half, almost two and a half months during the tour and I got injured.
04:06I understand you and Harry both lost your legs in the same operation, is that right?
04:10Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, me and Harry, Harry injured before me and I injured later on around half of my tour.
04:19Some of today's riders work at the RBLI factory.
04:23While many are veterans, others are simply here to support and raise vital funds.
04:28We're hoping to raise over Ā£80,000 and the money raised will go to supporting what you see here on the village.
04:35So, that's homes, support and work opportunities for some of our veterans who need it the most.
04:43And that's really important, isn't it?
04:44Absolutely important.
04:45Here at the village, we look after around 300 veterans and their families and we provide work opportunities.
04:52We provide the support that they need to get back on their feet and where they need to be.
04:57The group left at breakfast time, heading to Dover and across the channel to Calais, where I'll spend the night.
05:04Tomorrow, they'll complete the journey through World War I battlefields, ending with a remembrance service.
05:10Gabriel Morris for KNTV in Ellsford.
05:12Thank you, good evening.
05:42We found when we did the research that a few veterans and the general public generally understood how long it took to get help for combat stress.
05:54It takes, as you've said, up to about 13 years to come to combat stress for help, which is a really long time during which veterans' lives suffer very greatly from the impacts of PTSD.
06:10PTSD, it can cause family relationship breakdown, it can cause difficulty holding down a job.
06:17So it's a very serious illness and it's really sad that people wait so long to get diagnosed.
06:24I had to ask, why do so many of our veterans wait over a decade before reaching out for help?
06:30I think it's a couple of reasons.
06:33So firstly, the symptoms aren't always obvious.
06:36It's not always obvious that what's going on is PTSD.
06:40We think about the classic nightmares and flashbacks that PTSD can cause, and those are probably quite well understood.
06:46But there can be symptoms that are much more akin to other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
06:53And there can be issues just with anger and sleep that people don't necessarily know are down to their mental health at all.
07:00And I think a second factor that plays into that is the culture of the armed forces and the ability of those who've served in the armed forces to cope with adversity and to carry on despite the fact that they are suffering.
07:15So that probably elongates the amount of time before people come forward for treatment.
07:21It's terrible.
07:22And I do want to know, because obviously you mentioned some of the symptoms there, but are there any lesser known telltale signs of PTSD that veterans at home might be experiencing that might be a signal for them to get support?
07:35I mean, I think the difficulty with the relationships, feeling difficulty being close to people.
07:46I think the difficulty with crowds is quite a key issue.
07:53And sometimes we have, so we have one veteran who came to us and he wasn't able to go to his children's sports day because of the difficulty with being in a crowd.
08:05And that sort of difficulty can really lead to family breakdown.
08:09So if there are things in life that a veteran notices or their partner, their family notices and friends notice, then reach out to combat stress.
08:22We're here.
08:22We have a team of mental health professionals who are expert in assessing when what's going on is down to PTSD.
08:30Now for some sports history with former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams taking to Margate FC's pitch after 23 years out of the game.
08:47All to raise awareness for two recovery support charities.
08:51Well, Finn McDermid was pitch side.
08:56So first of all, how does it feel to get back on the pitch after 23 years?
09:01Exhausting.
09:02Absolutely exhausting.
09:07Well, it may have been 23 years since ex-England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams has laced up his boots.
09:13But he still brought his A-game to Margate FC's Hartsdown Park to support those struggling with addiction.
09:19Adams himself struggled with alcoholism off the pitch.
09:21And now he's lined up with volunteers from the addiction support charities Raw and the Forward Trust to raise money and awareness for the charities
09:28in the first ever match of the Emma Ertkart Cup, named after a volunteer for the charities who passed away a short while ago.
09:36I've got some fantastic services in employment, in education, housing and recovery.
09:41And it's all about recovery.
09:43Emma used to work for the Forward Trust who sadly passed away.
09:47So I'm more than happy to put my boots on to honour Emma's memory, the great work the Forward Trust do here and Raw.
09:57We played against Raw today.
09:58Reach out and recover.
10:00They do a lot of good work also in the area.
10:02I'm very proud to be chairman.
10:03And I'm very proud to put the boots back on.
10:05Since the days of Tony's playing career with Arsenal in England, football has undergone a transformation.
10:11And now clubs like Margate can be a vessel for social change in their communities.
10:15Yeah, football can do that in lots of ways.
10:17Obviously it brings people together.
10:19As part of our drop-in, we have football sessions running anyway on a Friday.
10:23So people get together.
10:25They develop social networks.
10:27They develop friendships.
10:28They realise that they've still got the skills they had a long time ago.
10:31And, yeah, it can obviously help with mental health and physical health all at the same time.
10:36In the end, the Forward Trust lost on penalties.
10:38But even though Tony said he would only play 10 minutes a side, he ended up playing around 70 minutes.
10:44Which goes to show just how much the cause means to him.
10:47Other people, my fellowship, the people around me have helped me get clean and sober.
10:52So this is why I do days like this.
10:54We need the connections.
10:55We can't beat this on our own.
10:57So reach out for help.
10:58The man who spent most of his career helping Arsenal to four Premier League titles
11:03is now spending his time working with volunteers and helping those who need it most.
11:08Finn McDermid for KMTV.
11:09Now, before we head off for a break, it's time for a history question to test your knowledge
11:16that we like to call Trivia Through Time.
11:19Your question this week.
11:23Which iconic children's book and television character was invented by a Canterbury resident
11:28in the 1920s?
11:30Do you think you know it?
11:39Maybe a family member does?
11:40Maybe you need to phone a friend?
11:43We'll be revealing the answer after the break.
11:47And we'll have plenty more history news from across the county after this.
15:23Now, a reminder of your question.
15:26Which iconic children's book and television character was invented by a Canterbury resident
15:32in the 1920s?
15:34Do you know?
15:35Do you know?
15:36Do you know?
15:37Did you get it right?
15:38The answer?
15:39It was the answer?
15:40It was created by Mary?
15:41It was created by the Daily Express to invent a children's character for the newspaper.
15:46Yeah, a little bit of paper.
15:47Yeah, a little bit too early for the newspaper.
15:48Yeah, a little bit too early for Bagpuss.
15:51Good stuff.
15:52Good stuff.
15:53Good stuff.
15:54Good stuff.
15:55Good stuff.
15:56Good stuff.
15:57Good stuff.
15:58Good stuff.
16:00Good stuff.
16:01Good stuff.
16:02Good stuff.
16:03Good stuff.
16:04Good stuff.
16:05Good stuff.
16:06Good stuff.
16:07Good establishments to Canterbury Cathedral as arguably the most photographed.
16:10While facing financial pressure, the cathedral bosses say transforming the space into an Airbnb
16:15would offer unique accommodation.
16:18But critics called the idea ludicrous.
16:21Gabriel Morris has been fielding opinion.
16:22As Kent's most popular tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, hotels nearby
16:30command high prices, especially with a view. But what if you could stay inside it? New
16:38plans propose a holiday apartment behind these windows on the Christchurch gate. The one
16:44bedroom flat would feature an open plan kitchen, breakfast bar and two toilets. The cathedral
16:50claims for design avoids permanent changes to the historic structure, but the idea has
16:56alarmed this local tour guide. It just doesn't seem right to put a holiday
17:00let in such a beautiful grade one listed building. I mean, it's Baroque and early Renaissance.
17:06It's a wonderful building. And it just seems to, I don't know, it just seems to diminish
17:11what we've got going on here, you know. And if that holiday let was just for the church
17:16to make money, it doesn't sit well with me, that. And we've got a Canterbury gate hotel
17:21next door. That was once used by pilgrims. Do you think pilgrims might use the holiday
17:26let? I think it's so high-end. I think we're talking high-end American tourists here.
17:31In recent years, the gate has undergone a Ā£1 million facelift. The gate's currently being
17:37laser cleaned as part of the restoration process. But when the scaffolding comes down, if it becomes
17:42a holiday let, will that be popular? Well, I think it's absolutely absurd, to be honest
17:48with you. It's got a lot of history behind it. You know, like you say, it's a listed
17:52building. And the fact they can turn it into a holiday let, when there's also a housing
17:56crisis, you know, in the country, is absolutely absurd. I do think it's a good idea because
18:02it brings more people to the city. It's kind of a bit of a waste of the building, just being
18:09office work. So obviously it gives more people a nice place to stay with a nice building.
18:14I mean, it would be a really cool stay, but I just feel like, you know, it's going to detract
18:19from really what it is. Like, you know, you're kind of selling out gout a little bit.
18:25Cathedral bosses told us they want to continue their centuries-old tradition of hospitality,
18:30serving the local community and welcoming guests from across the world. Proposals have
18:35only just been submitted for the holiday let by the cathedral and their planning process
18:40could take some time. But if it's given the green light, it could soon be a room with
18:46a pew. Gabriel Morris for KNTV in Canterbury.
18:49Next, Maidstone Museum is gearing up to tell the story of the town through the use of its
18:56historic items. It's all part of their latest local history gallery. It's called the Oldham
19:02Gallery exploring Maidstone's past and present. It's all set to feature new objects, many
19:07which have never been on public display before, including a mysterious seal that depicts a
19:11woman standing on a rock that could have links to the name of Maidstone. Well, I spoke to
19:19Councillor Stephen Thompson earlier to find out more.
19:21Stephen Thompson, Mayor of the District of August,
19:22We're bringing the museum up to date.
19:24There are 600,000 years of history to tell
19:27in Maidstone Museum.
19:28The previous Lives in Our Landscape launch
19:33has been hugely successful.
19:35That brought us to Tudor times.
19:37So we're now looking forward to opening the Oldham Gallery,
19:42exploring Maidstone's past and present.
19:44That will bring us from Tudor times
19:46through lots of very busy human history in Maidstone
19:50up to the present day.
19:52And we're looking to bring a modern feel to things.
19:57I wanna talk a little bit about
19:58the Lives of Our Landscape exhibition,
20:01because it was very successful.
20:02What have you kind of learned from that
20:04that you'll be bringing into the Oldham Gallery?
20:06Because you've no doubtably heard a lot
20:09from the visitors who saw that one.
20:13They walk in the door and they say, wow.
20:16They say, wow, as they walk round
20:17and the compliments are sincere and heartfelt
20:22as they then move off into the rest of the museum.
20:25It's clear that the museum's team has absolutely
20:28landed the messaging for the deep history of Maidstone
20:33Maidstone in its part in Kent back into prehistory.
20:38So the lighting, the soundscapes,
20:42the overall feel of the building,
20:44which still manages to give a nod to its architectural heritage,
20:50heritage has really pressed people's buttons, I think.
20:53And so we're absolutely looking to continue those themes.
20:56One of the most interesting items that for me
20:59of what I've been looking at so far
21:00is this made on the stone.
21:02It's a seal used to put wax on official documents.
21:05Now, I understand there could be some belief
21:07that this image could be linked to Maidstone's name.
21:10Yes, Bartholomew, indeed.
21:13Those that went to school in yesteryear
21:17were taught their etymology.
21:19You take words apart and you try and work out
21:21what it is that they mean.
21:22And sometimes those guesses are accurate
21:24and sometimes they're not.
21:25I understand there's a variety of
21:28stabs at working out where Maidstone's name come from.
21:31It's hard to know which the right answer is.
21:34Here we've got a piece of evidence
21:35of a picture of a lady on a stone,
21:39and it is easy to draw the connection from that.
21:41You know, it might even be true.
21:43Fantastic stuff.
21:44I think there's something so special about,
21:46you know, thinking about the place in which you live
21:48or where you might have grown up
21:49or where family may have come from
21:51and to learn a bit more about the history.
21:52It's like a personal connection, isn't it?
21:56Well, it is.
21:57And that really is the point that we're making
22:00in the name, the Oldham Gallery,
22:03points us to Paul Oldham,
22:06a past borough councillor and mayor of Maidstone.
22:09Over many decades,
22:11he made the history of the town
22:13part of his wider contribution.
22:16It was a personal interest and a hobby,
22:18and he brought it into the council chamber.
22:20He brought it into council life.
22:22And as you say, those personal stories
22:25are the things that shape the way
22:26that we see the place in which we live.
22:28And speaking of families,
22:29very fascinating sort of task you've set yourselves
22:32is to find Maidstone's oldest family.
22:35Talk to us a bit about that.
22:38Well, again, Bartholomew, it's a case of go with the evidence
22:42as it's found.
22:43There could be some folk out there who should be credited
22:45as Maidstone's oldest family and haven't told us who they are.
22:48And maybe they don't even know.
22:50But we're aware that there are many folk who've been on genealogy sites,
22:56looking into their ancestry.
22:57And we're very keen to bring those personal family stories into the museum.
23:02It will be recognized as a plaque and certificate of some sort.
23:08And I have to say, I'm looking forward to somebody stumbling in through the door
23:12just after we put it up to say, oh, perhaps it's us instead.
23:15And we'll have a good chuckle about that, I'm sure.
23:17There are a wide range of families who can point to a rich past in Maidstone.
23:24And I'm sure this exercise will give us some really, really good insights
23:30into what the deeper history of folk in Maidstone has been.
23:34No, it's a brilliant way to get people through the door, of course.
23:37Now, I do wonder about sort of visitor numbers, you know,
23:39those sort of tourists who might be coming to Maidstone.
23:42What are the levels you're seeing from those who are not from the area
23:45coming in and being interested about the history?
23:47Well, Bartholomew, I asked this question and I have to say I was blown away
23:52when I found out just how rich and wide the visitor numbers from Maidstone
23:58and further afield are.
24:00Sometimes I hear doubts expressed to me as a councillor as to whether or not
24:04the museum is really relevant to people in this day and age.
24:08The visitor book, the visitor numbers tell a very clear story.
24:14We have people coming from far and wide.
24:16I've met folk here in the museum who come down from London for the day
24:19to Sea Maidstone's museum.
24:21I think that's a great testament to the success of this museum
24:25and its team in making it relevant and fresh and telling new stories
24:30that people want to come from far and wide to see what our collections are.
24:35We've got 30% new exhibits coming out in the Oldham Gallery,
24:39things that people haven't seen before.
24:41And there'll be many more stories to tell in the future.
24:44So the future for Maidstone museum is very rich.
24:47Well, of course, Maidstone is the county town.
24:51It's so important to keep hold of this history and to keep telling those stories.
24:54So next question, what could we see if this one is as a success as it was last year?
25:00What's the plans for the future?
25:04Well, Bartholomew, that's a really leading question.
25:08My personal view is that I would like to change the secret of Maidstone's
25:14carriage museum into a very badly kept secret and indeed not a secret at all.
25:19I've discovered that in my duties as cabinet member for healthy, stronger communities in Maidstone
25:27over the last year now, that Maidstone's carriage museum is the world's second leading collection
25:35of carriages.
25:36Hardly anybody knows that.
25:38I would certainly like to see our team here in Maidstone change that story.
25:44We have partnership with a world leading expert who's been leading tours for a number of years
25:49around the carriage museum.
25:51And there is a regular program at weekends where folk can go and see what's going on
25:56in the carriage museum.
25:57And we look forward to seeing how Maidstone museum facilitates the engagement of our locals
26:03and our visitors with the rich heritage in Maidstone.
26:07That has been hidden, somewhat forgotten, but we want to bring it back to public attention.
26:13Well, Councillor Stephen Thompson, thank you very much for speaking with us today.
26:16We'll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for what's next for the Maidstone museum.
26:19Bartholomew, it's been a pleasure.
26:22Thank you very much.
26:24Well, it looks like that was one for the history books.
26:27You've been watching Kent Chronicles live on KMTV.
26:30Don't forget though, there's always history happening around us.
26:32And if you have a story you think we should be covering, then do just get in touch.
26:36And if you're more interested in more than the present and the past,
26:39then of course, we have more shows over at kmtv.co.uk.
26:43More from us next time.
26:44Bye-bye.
27:02Thanks for seeing you.
27:13Bye-bye.
27:14Is it looking for a Eric Eric?
27:15The old lady, this one.
27:17Most of us chatting about medicine in me when you're standing in front of his hand.
27:20And then they're hiding there.
27:22I'm looking for 80- woman judging more, and we have a story.
27:24I can't be hearing that if I can Lift up the Mantģ ėė¤.
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