ABOUT US

The Kent Mining Heritage Foundation (KMHF) is working in partnership with Betteshanger Park and the Kent coalfield mining heritage centres to collect, care and promote the fascinating and unique story of Kent’s mining heritage.

Opening Hours

Weds-Sun 09:30-16:00

The museum is free entry but donations are gratefully received.

If you are interested in booking a group visit please contact the museum team via email, phone or by popping in.

AIMs oF THE FOUNDATION

The KMHF was established in 2016, is a charitable incorporated organisation (Charity No. 1165403), and has three objectives:

To record and preserve Kent’s mining heritage, and to further public understanding of old and new forms of energy

To provide facilities that foster health and social welfare, especially for those who suffer due to age, disability, social disadvantage; and

To enhance the quality of life in this disadvantaged community through the provision of education, skill-sharing, and leisure activities

The aims of the project are:

  • To collate and conserve the stories and collections of the Kent mining communities, in an exciting and engaging new museum
  • To enable a wide range of people to participate in, and learn about, Kent’s mining heritage
  • To conserve the heritage for present and future generations to experience and enjoy
  • To celebrate the coalmining industry in Kent and its wide economic and social impact
  • To bring together the Kent mining communities, their stories and collections – specifically Aylesham, Tilmanstone, Chislet, Dover Museum and East Kent Railway
  • To achieve Museum Accreditation within two years of operation

WHO ARE THE TRUSTEES?

The KMHF Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall control and strategic direction for the charity. Our trustees work for the KMHF voluntarily and meet regularly to discuss the development of the project to ensure that the KMHF achieves its charitable objectives.

Chair Stuart Elgar

IEng MIMME

Mechanical Engineer Betteshanger & Tilmanstone, Snowdown Collieries. Former Construction Manager London Underground Director of the Aylesham & District Community Workshop Trust and the Elvington & Eythorne Heritage CIC and Trustee of the Elvington Community Centre.

JIM DAVIES

BEM

Worked at Betteshanger Colliery until it closed in August 1989 and he was the last miner employed at the site. He leads the Betteshanger and Mill Hill Heritage Group and was a founding member of the Kent Miners’ Festival in 2009. Member of both Elvington and Eythorne Heritage Centre and Aylesham Heritage Centre.

JIM CREWS

 

Former miner at Betteshanger Colliery. Member of Aylesham Heritage Centre.

Steve Manion

CFPIM FCILT CLTD-F

Member of Dover District Council, Kent County Council, Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, National Treasurer Industrial Communities Alliance. Director of Steve Manion Effective Training Limited, Church Warden upper Parish of Deal & Great Mongeham. Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Certified fellow In Production and Inventory Management & Certified Fellow Logistics Transport and Distribution from the Association of Supply Chain Management.

Miranda Chapman

 

A digitally focused strategic marketing and brand consultant. MD of Pillory Barn, a creative and digital content agency, well versed in helping organisations to tell their brand stories well and advance their business by creating compelling, sharable content. Miranda is also an experienced member of various boards including EKC Group, Kent and Medway Business Fund, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Property Group for Porchlight.

Paul Hathaway

 

Worked at Betteshanger Colliery from Sept 1967 until it closed in 1989 as a Mining Apprentice, Craft Apprentice and Class 1 Electrician. Trustee for Operation Sunshine based at Capel Le Ferne.

Mark Quinn

 

CEO and Chairman of Quinn Estates, Mark has been developing property in his Kent homeland for nearly 25 years. His philanthropic portfolio includes the 15-acre £10m Herne Bay Sports Hub, building a modern facility in a joint venture for the Pilgrim’s Hospice in Canterbury, sponsorship of various sporting and community initiative, and more recently taking ownership of Betteshanger Country Park with the aim of creating a centre for cultural and sporting excellence.

Stuart O’Leary

 

Head of Betteshanger Park, Former Founder and Director of SR Events & Marketing Ltd and City Sound Project Ltd. Member of the Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District and campaign leader on Canterbury City Council’s ‘Shhh’ campaign.

Neil McCollum

 

Currently Head of Historic Properties at English Heritage and Chair of the World Heritage Site Management Committee, Neil has worked in the tourism, heritage, and culture sector of Kent for nearly 30years.

Emma Cowens

 

A chartered Global Management Accountant, qualified in 2013. With 12 years’ experience working in finance currently holding a Head of Commercial Finance role for a company in London. Interested in the mining community with my 3 generations of my family working at mining collieries, and my great grandad relocating from Durham to work in the Kent Coal Fields.

Paul Owen

 

Principal at Dover Technical College for East Kent College with 12 years of experience in primary and secondary education, gaining experience in both mainstream and specialist provisions. Moved into the FE sector in 2015 as a Facilitator for Autism, developing the Hub provision at Folkestone College. Having grown up in South Wales, the history of mining was very much part of the curriculum he was taught as a child!