Dame Maggie Smith

Haveing recently been to Tuscany I have been watching several of the movies filmed there in recent years - nearly all of them star Magggie Smith - often with Dame Judi Dench. If you haven't seen them I recommend

My House in Umbria, Tea with Mussolini and of course Room with a View

The Name of the Rose with Sean Connery was also filmed there as was La Vite e Bella or Life is Beautiful.

I have always been a great fan of Maggie and Judi so these films are a real treat - as was Ladies in Lavendar

Off to Chatham

Very excited as heard last week that I have definitely been invited to present a paper at the Women's History Conference in Chatham on February 9th. Means I shall probably spent most of Christmas week writing but it will be worth it.

All roads lead to Ramsgate

The Isle of Thanet Archaeological Trust are doing excellent work unearthing the Roman history of Thanet. As Ges Moody told us when he came to speak to the Ramsgate Society this week they are desperate for a museum to display all the artefacts. The Ramsgate Library is now being rebuilt but without its museum. The people of this historic port deserve a museum. Any ideas who we can approach to get help with one?

Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while - I've been in Tuscany for a week which I loved. Best part was we flew from our local airport which made the whole thing so much easier. Have also been trying to find someone to help me edit my book - two people have had to pull out for various reasons which has meant a three month delay which is very annoying, as I had hoped to have it printed by now. In the meantime I have been busy researching my second book.

Silver Screen Club

Tuesday 10th July 10am at the Granville Cinema in Ramsgate. £3 for coffee, croissant and a film. Next week the film will be Ladies in Lavendar starring Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.

Spinning Yarns

A friend told me about this excellent series of programmes about the Lancashire cotton industry which have been on Radio 4 for the last three weeks on Wednesday mornings at 11 am. There is one more next week. Today's programme talked specifically about the role of women and how some of them became radical suffragists. You can listen to the programmes via the BBC website.

Women's events

If anyone wants to circulate details about events in Kent run by or suitable for women please get in touch.

Dr Anne Logan from UKC is holding a Southern Women's History Network study day on 9th February 2008 at UKC's new Medway campus. Papers are welcomed on any aspect of the history of Women and the Law. Abstracts of no more than 200 words should be sent to her at A.F.Logan@kent.ac.uk by 1st November 2007. I will pass on the details later.

Poetry evening

Friends of Ramsgate Library are holding a poetry evening on Friday 29th June at 7pm in the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate. Members of the Write Women Poetry Group will entertain with recent works.

Launch pad!

Hi! Everyone

I hope that anyone interested in women's history here in Kent will get in touch. I was fed up always hearing about smugglers, sailors and soldiers. What about the women who lived here too? I am just about to publish my first book about women's suffrage in East Kent 1909 - 1918 but already have ideas for several more books. My favourite period is 1880 -1920 but I'm sure there are other interesting stories out there.