MMF Programme Of Events 2025

Events 2025 At the friends shop in Fremlin Walk. Times 6.30- 8pm (except August) Doors at 6pm. Refreshments provided.

The first is a talk on the maunsell sea forts in the Thames Estuary. By Frank Turner.

It will take place at Maidstone Museum on Thursday 13th February. Cost is £6 Doors open 6pm for tea/coffe & biscuits included. Talk commences at 6.30pm for approximately 1 hour. 

All events will be at the MMF friends shop, Fremlin Walk Maidstone, except February-Maidstone Museum, and August on the Kentish Lady.

Tickets for all events are available at the Museum Friends shop or email your interest to MMF event organiser

ivangwhite@gmail.com

Entry £6 MMF Friends £4

Please note-Different prices for the special events the Folk concert in April and River trip in August.

www.maidstonemuseumsfriends.org.uk 

Thursday 13th February  

The Maunsell Sea Forts-from defence to pirate radio 

From vital defence in the second world war to the home of pirate radio stations in the sixties, the Maunsell Forts-still visible in the Thames Estuary- have played a fascinating part in national and local history. Frank Turner tells their intriguing story. please note this event is at Maidstone Museum.

Thursday 13th March 

One Maidstone- backing the County Town 

One Maidstone business improvement district (BID) seeks to cut business crime through partnership the benefit Maidstone Town Centre. Find out How the BID contributes to making Maidstone a better place to shop, work, live and entertain.

Michelle Woodland, CEO One Maidstone BID, and Steven Pankhurst, BID's Business Crime Manager, explan.

Thursday 17th April  

Rhythm & Rhyme

A Tapestry of Kentish Folk Song and Poetry 

Leading Kent folk singers Bob Kenward, John and Di Cullen team up with Andrew Hider, Maidstone's own poet and lyricist, for an entertaining musical evening. 

Entrance- Friends £7.50 Guests- £10

Thursday 8th May 

Creatures great and smal- Maidstone Zoo, part 2

Ivan White continues his exciting story of sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake's popular zoo and its cast of wonderful animals that attracted VIPs and hundreds of thousands of visitors to Cobtree Park between 1934 and 1959. This second part covers the period from 1944.

Thursday 12th June 

Maidstone Carriage Museum-a European Gem 

Samantha Harris, Maidstone Museums collections Manager, gives an insight into the museums history, highlights of this unique collection and development of carriages in Great Britain. Renowned as one of the best collections in Europe of original condition carriages, the museum, opened in 19.46 and the brainchild of zoo owner Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, houses around 60 vehicles spanning the 18th,19th and 20th centuries. 

Thursday 10th July  

Life inside -Prison Stories 

John Mills worked at both HMP Maidstone Holloway. Recalling numerous anecdotes, he gives his unique perspective on prison life and examines how the general public percieve "life inside" at a time when prisons are rarely out of the headlines.

Thursdsay 14th August  

River Trip On The Kentish Lady- Maidstone to Teston Lock and back 

This ever-popular voyageincludes a buffet supper and a pay bar.

Please note this is a ticket Only event.

Tickets can be brought at the museum Friends shop in Fremlin Walk.

Friends £25 Guests £30

Full details nearer the time. Last purcase date saturday 3rd August.

Thursday 11th September

Corridors of Power- A councillor's Journey 

Fran Wilson talks about the life of a Borough Councillor. Her career from newly elected backbencher to leader of the council.

The highs and lows. The joys and woes ...and the simply ridiculous!

Thursday 9th October  

Serving the Crown 

The right royal story of the kent lieutenant of kent, gives an insider's view into this ancient office, its dramatic and amusing stories, and the people from all walks of life who have been lord-lieutenants and deputy lieutenants of Kent across more than five centuries. 

Thursday 13th November  

How Well do You Know Christmas 

Pete Batty gets you into the festive mood with stories of plants, foods and traditions of the Chrsitmas season. 

 Unless specified, all events start at 6.30pm, with doors open at 6pm