The re:bourne team rounded out a very busy week of pre-event prep with a lively whirl through Sittingbourne history courtesy of Peter Morgan, who surely should be classed as a regional, if not national, treasure for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Sittingbourne and Swale. The former Sittingbourne Mayor and Kent Councillor treated us to an eloquent recitation of the area's remarkable history at the Heritage Museum, itself a fascinating repository of artifacts and history, some of which date back to the area's Bronze Age residents. Among the many wonders of the Museum is a recreation of a WWII-era home (that's Peter on the right).

What was perhaps most inspiring about hearing Peter and visiting the Museum was to know that the building housing the Museum itself was, not so long ago, derelict to the point of near-demolition. Crumbling and mould-wracked, its floors strewn with spent syringes and needles, the former shop (dating back to at least the 18th century) was a hollow shell of itself. Through the efforts of Peter and others, though, it was revived and now plays host to school groups, community events and--when you're as lucky as we were--the occasional private tour.

Hearing from Peter about the area's rich past was a great way to look forward into the coming week and give us more motivation to make re:bourne worthy of the history that has come before. We hope you'll come along and see what the future holds...