The Story of Knole Park
Bob Ogley, local author, will be speaking about his recently published book The Story of Knole Park. Bob will share his personal insights into the little-known stories of Knole Park and its people.
The book traces the history from the earliest days of Bronze Age barrows and the ownership of Robert de Knole, Archbishop Bourchier and Henry VIII, to the first Sackville, and the 13 generations that followed. This story is not about the large labyrinth house, but how Knole Park gradually grew to its present size of one thousand acres, unravelling the most extraordinary stories along the way – the great barn fire, the gunpowder plot and the ritual marks, Oliver Cromwell and the Civil War, the paintings created by pre-Raphaelite artists and how the Sackvilles fostered the game of cricket.
There are stories about the visits from Kings and Queens, the riot when Sackville closed the park, the devastating storm of 1987 and, of course, the full account of the visit from four young musicians called John, Paul, George and Ringo. And much, much more.
Lord Sackville has generously described it as a ‘definitive, comprehensive, and heartfelt history.’
Bob Ogley was born in Sevenoaks, has lived in the county all his life and is proud to be a Kentish man. As author of more than 20 books he has travelled extensively in pursuit of information and photographs. A former editor of The Sevenoaks Chronicle, Bob was a journalist for more than 30 years before he left his newspaper to concentrate on writing books and giving his talks. He is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent.
Date: Thursday 26th March
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free to members & £5 for guests
Space is limited so email us to book your place.
