The hub of community life for the 250 residents is the village hall whose management committee will be running the project looking at a hundred years of Harvel. They will be gathering and copying documents and photographs, creating a website, and interviewing current and former locals.

Existing histories and material held by Gravesham library give little insight into the heritage of the area. Initial research has shown that people want to know about childhood memories, wartime recollections, work, trades, farming, transport and buildings among other topics.

In addition to the website the information will be used to produce a booklet and create an exhibition as part of celebrations of the village’s centenary next year. Local schools will also be invited to take part in a competition to write up a conversation with a grandparent, elderly relative or friend while adults will be invited to photograph a local building emphasising a particular or unusual feature.

The newly created interactive website will hold details of every property in the village and include a section to aid family history research. The exhibition will be seen at a range of locations, including schools attended by local children. Gravesham library will also be advising on the best means of conserving documents and artefacts safely so as to encourage people to donate with confidence.

Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East England, said: “This is a real community effort to ensure that the people’s history of Harvel is gathered, preserved and made available for the benefit of future generations.” 

For Harvel Village Hall Committee, Mandie Jones, said: “The village is very enthusiastic about this project and keen to get involved.  We are all swapping memories and sorting through photographs already.  The Heritage Lottery Fund has given us a great opportunity for the spirit of Harvel to be recognised.”

The project will be launched at 8pm on Thursday 15 September at Harvel Village Hall.

Notes to editors

Gravesham borough is a priority area for the Heritage Lottery Fund South East England which has been working with local organisations and the local authority to encourage more applications for project funding. The History of Harvel is the first project from rural Gravesham to be granted funding.

Further information

HLF Press Office: Vicky Wilford, 020 7591 6046 / 07968 129 241, email vickyw@hlf.org.uk or Phill Cooper, 020 7591 6033 / 07889 949 173, email phillipc@hlf.org.uk

Mandie Jones, Harvel Village Hall Committee, on: 01474 813 183