There was a packed audience of nearly 40 for the latest in the MMF series of monthly events in the Friends’ shop in Fremlin Walk. After refreshments, In a talk entitled “The Forgotten Symbols of Kent”, James Lloyd, M.A. Ph.D M.Litt, Archivist of the College of Arms, gave a detailed historic analysis of the many and varied heraldic styles that have represented Kent since Saxon times. They included Hengist and Horsa, and the little known former symbol for Maidstone – a Maid standing on a Stone. It may have been an apt depiction but it was quickly dropped in favour of a more complex and elegant coat of arms with the added distinguishing feature of the County Town’s very own iguanodon dinosaur. 

We also learned more about the legless martlet bird. James’ talk was accompanied by many illustrations, mostly reproduced by permission from records and books in the College of Arms archive. James combined erudition with a sense of humour that dellghted and informed the large audience who included MMF President Sir Robert Worcester, the Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Fay Gooch and her escort Peter Gooch.