Rainham Historical Society

Rainham Historical Society was founded in 1981 by Pat and George Fryer. Its objects are to create and foster interest in local, national and world history through lectures and excursions to places of historical significance and to support local charitable projects of a historical nature.  Currently it has 209 members from all over the Medway towns. The society meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month between September and April at the Millennium Community Centre beside Rainham Church, to listen to talks by guest speakers, usually illustrated with slides, on topics of historical interest. The meetings start at 7.30 p.m. and end with coffee and biscuits at about 9 o’clock. During the summer the society arranges coach trips to places of historical interest in the South-East. The Society also arranges an annual holiday on the continent. Throughout the year RHS raises funds to make charitable donations to local historical organisations and trusts. Recent beneficiaries have been the Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust, the Dolphin Boatyard Barge Museum, Finchcocks and the Friends of Harty Church. Owing to restrictions on the number of people that can safely use the meeting hall, the society currently has a waiting list for membership, although those on the waiting list can, of course, go on the coach trips and the holiday.