Sevenoaks Branch Talk: The Archbishop’s Palace at Otford with Rod Shelton

This is the story of the Archbishop's Palace that once stood in Otford. It rivalled Hampton Court and was briefly home to Henry V111.

Today, just a tower remains. Yet through the detailed model of it when it was in its prime, we can visit the ghost of this one great Palace of Kent. Rod has written the detailed history of this heritage village and its famous palace.

About the Speaker:

Rod Shelton describes himself as an author, artist and model-maker. He has lived in Otford for 25 years and is active in village matters. He is the local historian and chairs the Otford Society. He was a London advertising copy writer; then ran his own commercial film company.

Rod is a local historian and specialises in reproducing model  of homes of historical interest back to the period in which they were first built. This takes much research and reference as well as a fair amount of calculation. His particular interest is in the life of the people who lived there at that time. A large selection of his models of featured places and homes in the Darent Valley are on permanent display at Lullingstone Castle.

Doors open 10.45am, meeting starts 11am.

There is a large public car park (payment required, 50p for 2 hours, £1 for 3 hours) adjacent to the hall but it can be busy.

No booking, just turn up.

The Society is a registered charity and membership fees and donations are an important part of our income. The Talk is free to members but guests and visitors are asked to make a donation towards hall hire and speaker's fee. There will be a donations box at the venue.

But Society membership only costs £10 a year (£12 joint members) https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/membership/our-membership