A Country Day at Cobham

A Family History Day
incorporating the
Annual General Meeting
took place on
Saturday 14th April 2007
at
Cobham Hall
nr. Gravesend

Cobham Hall
Cobham Hall

Cobham Hall was owned by a number of families - the de Cobhams (13th-14th centuries), Brooke (Barons Cobham) until 1603, then the Stuarts (Earls of Lennox & Richmond), and since the early 18th century the Bligh family (Earls of Darnley). The building is a fine late-Elizabethan mansion of red brick erected by William Brooke, 10th Lord Cobham, with later additions in the same style. It was sold by the Darnleys in 1957 and since 1962 has been a girl's school.

Programme

This was our Society's 29th anniversary. Here is the programme for the day, with a brief report on the AGM:

TimeDetails
10.00amWelcome and notices
10.15am"A Tour of Cobham Hall" - a talk and video by Sylvia and Charles Hammond. This covered the history of the house and of its many owners.
11.30amRaffle draw, comfort break, refreshments and browse.
11.45am Annual General Meeting

The AGM was attended by at least 133 people, the main items were as follows:

Minutes of the 28th AGMApproved without comment. AGM 2007
The AGM in progress in Cobham Hall's spectacular 'Gilt Hall' of c1670
AccountsPresented by Chairman Walter Eves in the absence of a Treasurer. There were no questions.
Report of the CommitteeThis had already been circulated to members with the March 07 journal. A further update to Society activities was circulated at the meeting, there were no further comments.
Josephine Birchenough Bursary AwardPrizes were awarded in respect of recent journal articles to Valerie Pike (Editor) & Iris Finding of Whitstable (£20 each), also Victor Streatfield of Gt Yarmouth and Ann Korta of Holt Wimborne (£10 each). Two articles were commended, those by Barry Langridge and Terry Hart.
Honorary MembersKen Lee was made an honorary member in recognition of his services to the Society over many years (he was Projects Co-ordinator 1994-99 and Chairman 1999-2001).
Vice PresidentsNo changes.
Election of Society CommitteeNo changes for 2007-08 apart from the resignation of Bob Woodward as Treasurer after seven years' service. He continues in his other role as Projects Coordinator. The Society still needs a Treasurer and Publicity Officer. For the current committee, see the Society Officers page.
Resolution to Change ConstitutionA thorough review had been undertaken during the past year by a sub-committee chaired by Vice President David Cufley. He presented to the meeting the changes that the sub-committee had proposed, and with a few further minor amendments these were accepted by the meeting. See the Society Constitution page.

The AGM sub-committee chaired by Stella Rhys were thanked for their hard work in organising the day's events. The other sub-committee members were Ron Anthony, Barbara Attwaters, Barbara Phillips, Janet Rose and Rosemary Shiret.
1.00pmLunch
2.00pmChoice of the following:
  • Browse around the stalls
  • Walk around Cobham Hall grounds
  • Have a non-stop tour of Cobham Hall
  • Visit Cobham village, the Church and College - see the photo gallery, below
4.30pmCream Tea
5.30pmDepart

Photo Gallery

Some of the afternoon's events are illustrated by these photographs. If you took any yourself and would like them added, please email them to the webmaster.

 

Daffodils St Mary
Daffodils in Cobham Park St Mary's church, Cobham
Cobham College Cobham College
Cobham College, originally founded 1362 and
re-founded as almshouses in 1598		 Cobham College quadrangle - members are treated to a guided tour
Cobham church Cobham churchyard
Members are shown the famous Cobham brasses; several of the medieval owners of Cobham Hall are commemorated here The churchyard

© 2007 North West Kent Family History Society. Page updated 17 April 2007