The Nightingale Annual Lecture is jointly organised by the Centre for Kent History & Heritage and Brook Rural Museum. A wine reception from 6.30pm precedes this free, open lecture. Booking not required.

This year the Lecture is given by Dr Adam Chapman, the General Editor of the Victoria History of the Counties of England (better known as the VCH) based at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London. The VCH project is England's - and possibly the world's - longest established place-based history, having produced histories based on the parish since the beginning of the 20th century.

Its 'Big Red Books' and, more recently series of place-based paperbacks or 'Shorts' provide an essential introduction and overview to the recorded history of England's places having covered perhaps a third of England. It is active in 18 counties, and two Ridings of Yorkshire, but not - unfortunately - in Kent. The histories the VCH produces are unique in scope, from the earliest recorded details to the ever-moving now and at the heart of it is the place of communities in the living, ever changing landscape. Adam will explore the sources, techniques, and processes used by the VCH with a selection case studies from existing work and some examples from the Kentish landscape employing those approaches in Kent.

Contact Sheila Sweetinburgh for more information.