Books
1. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, Edward Hasted, published 1797-1801
This major early survey of the County includes several references to Chestfield that are used by more recent writers. It is accessible online at
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=99
2. Tony Blake, David Delahay-Jones, Ian Stickles
Chestfield Tales 2002
Only 70 pages long but an extensively researched book concentrating on Chestfield, almost certainly written largely by Tony Blake, who also produced a rich archive of photographs and films of local life. The book is filled with engaging material, including articles written in the 1920s and 1990s anticipating what the future held for Chestfield. Nothing dates so amusingly as predictions!
3. Robert H. Goodsall
Whitstable, Seasalter And Swalecliffe. The History Of Three Kent Parishes 1938
This book is inevitably dated, but provides a detailed accurate statement of the wider area for the last millennium up to the start of the 20th century. There are reference to Chestfield, all grouped under Swalecliffe. Goodsall must have been a young historian when he wrote this book as he continued publishing work, principally about East Kent, for the next 30 years
4. Wallace Harvey
Chestfield - 1000 years of History
A typescript held in the Cathedral Archives and in the Beany Library Local History section
5. Christopher Scoble
Under Shrub Hill 2012
A description of Chestfield in the 1940s through to the 1960s, this book helps show bot the atmosphere of Chestfield Village in the mid 20th century as it matured from its creation as a village. Although called a memoir it is a well researched history and provides a wealth of reliable information
6. Flavia Taylor
North Wood: 500 Years of Local History from Reculver in the East of the Kent Coast to Goodnestone by Faversham in the West 1995
This is an impressive book that reaches high professional standards of evidenced history. It covers the area between Seasalter and Reculver stretching down to Blean Wood across to Thornden Wood. Each chapter has a section on researched sources and a speculation on what life was like and who might have done what. Although Flavia Taylor writes that the book covers the 500 years from the 11th to 16 century it also gives a great deal on the previous 500 years as well. She is a local historian who lived in Chestfield. She shows how the land usage north of Canterbury was was steadily changed, and how the farms which comprised the entire local population of Chestfield developed.
7. John H Williams (editor)
The Archeology of Kent to AD 800 - 2007
A major Kent County Council publication of some 300 large pages filled with coulour illustrations, it includes references to three archaeology excavations in Chestfield and provides a hue amount of local contextual from nearby parts of Kent.
This major early survey of the County includes several references to Chestfield that are used by more recent writers. It is accessible online at
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=99
2. Tony Blake, David Delahay-Jones, Ian Stickles
Chestfield Tales 2002
Only 70 pages long but an extensively researched book concentrating on Chestfield, almost certainly written largely by Tony Blake, who also produced a rich archive of photographs and films of local life. The book is filled with engaging material, including articles written in the 1920s and 1990s anticipating what the future held for Chestfield. Nothing dates so amusingly as predictions!
3. Robert H. Goodsall
Whitstable, Seasalter And Swalecliffe. The History Of Three Kent Parishes 1938
This book is inevitably dated, but provides a detailed accurate statement of the wider area for the last millennium up to the start of the 20th century. There are reference to Chestfield, all grouped under Swalecliffe. Goodsall must have been a young historian when he wrote this book as he continued publishing work, principally about East Kent, for the next 30 years
4. Wallace Harvey
Chestfield - 1000 years of History
A typescript held in the Cathedral Archives and in the Beany Library Local History section
5. Christopher Scoble
Under Shrub Hill 2012
A description of Chestfield in the 1940s through to the 1960s, this book helps show bot the atmosphere of Chestfield Village in the mid 20th century as it matured from its creation as a village. Although called a memoir it is a well researched history and provides a wealth of reliable information
6. Flavia Taylor
North Wood: 500 Years of Local History from Reculver in the East of the Kent Coast to Goodnestone by Faversham in the West 1995
This is an impressive book that reaches high professional standards of evidenced history. It covers the area between Seasalter and Reculver stretching down to Blean Wood across to Thornden Wood. Each chapter has a section on researched sources and a speculation on what life was like and who might have done what. Although Flavia Taylor writes that the book covers the 500 years from the 11th to 16 century it also gives a great deal on the previous 500 years as well. She is a local historian who lived in Chestfield. She shows how the land usage north of Canterbury was was steadily changed, and how the farms which comprised the entire local population of Chestfield developed.
7. John H Williams (editor)
The Archeology of Kent to AD 800 - 2007
A major Kent County Council publication of some 300 large pages filled with coulour illustrations, it includes references to three archaeology excavations in Chestfield and provides a hue amount of local contextual from nearby parts of Kent.
Photographs and Film
Tony Blake (see book 1 above) built up a large archive of photos dating from 1920s and film covering the 1960 to 1990. The material was passed on to friends at his death, and the parish is trying to recover this material (April 2013). We have now found two contacts, a local one in Sturry and another living in Lincolnshire, who have agreed to supply materials, and look forward to receiving copies and samples of originals during the summer of 2013.
We are looking for further sources and any revisions needed on the notes above. If you have something for us please click here