Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#1
I was invited by the Chairman of Dover District Council (Thank You Sue) to attend the investing of an Hereditary Freeman of Dover; this took place yesterday late morning.
The Freeman's name was Robin Atherden, who came along with his wife and son; all three were lovely people.
Jon Iveson, Curator of Dover Museum and Dover's Tourism Manager brought along a book with all the names of Freeman of Dover; this book went back to 1666 - just 60 years after the Royal Charter for Dover Harbour Board.
The first entry of an "Atherden" in the book was 1733 and he was the first Freeman with that name; he was given that hereditary title due to him marrying the daughter of a Mr Gibbon, who was made a Freeman in 1672.
Some great history there and it was very good to meet him and his wife and son.
It was a very enjoyable investiture and Robin was very pleased to be there and be presented with a Certificate, a photograph album of sites across the District an engraved tankard.
His wife works closely with the Mayor near Agincourt and they are working on setting up links with organisations here, with history of WW1 - I thought of Maggie and the DWMP, so will be emailing her.
Roger
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#2
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#3
Well done Tom - interesting reading.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#4
Arthur Burr being honoured with the Freedom of Dover
Sorry about the quality
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#5
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#6
Very Interesting Tom.
Thanks for the links, a few points on there that I didn't know, we have always believed non or very little coal was won from Shakespear Colliery.
A bit off the thread, so I apologise but we still don't know how the name Snowdown came about?
We know about a nearby holt call Snowdown but why that name was used we still don't know.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
#7
Interesting Gary, my family are from Elvington, I wonder how they chose the names Elvington and Aylesham.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#8
David.
I shall ask my Mining Historical Geru for that information and get back to you.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
#9
I would guess Snowdown is self explanatory, like Coldblow Lane, but the others are interesting. As you know the villages of Tilmanstone and Betteshanger were there before the pits
Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
#10
My grandma was the daughter of Sarah Jane Atherden born 1839, her father was Robert Atherden born 1802, Frances Atherden born 1761 married a great sea going man Purser Dowers, he has a great history, freeman of the borough and port of Doveris nice to know I have some great history in my family tree
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#11
You obviously do Sheila - remind me to bow next time we meet.
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#12
Elvington was named after the town in Yorkshire from which many of the early miners came.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
#13
Indeed Peter my better half , who was brought up in Elvington,has on several occasions related that lovely story to me. Her dad - the late Bill Ridgway former miner,union official (deputy to Joe Gormley) and ultimately Mayor of Dover.
Never give up...
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#14
This is a better copy and you will see a fascinating name on the guest list. Scanned from of an original copy of the Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, printed on Saturday 8th February 1913, following the Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough and a Cup of Loving to Arthur Burr. The famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer of all the Sherlock Holmes books, was present at the banquet. In another article it would appear that shares were being listed in the newspaper, following him also having bought a large number of shares in the Kent Coalfield, possibly to help boost a potential increase in the number of shares, to other shareholders. The power of advertising!!!!
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#15
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was just after the Carbon...it's elementary don't you know.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
