At the University Centre Folkestone, on Monday 30th April at 6pm.

Born in Sevenoaks, Bob Ogley is a former editor of The Sevenoaks Chronicle, and was a journalist for more than 30 years before he left his newspaper to concentrate on writing books and giving talks. He is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent.

His life changed with the publication of his first book, In The Wake of the Hurricane, which sold more than 250,000 copies and remained in the top ten bestseller list for eight months. He has travelled extensively in pursuit of information and photographs and is in great demand from organisations across the south-east to tell his unique story.

Many of Bob’s 22 books have been county bestsellers, including Biggin on The Bump, the story of RAF Biggin Hill; Kent at War and The Kent Weather Book. His books and talks have raised more than £108,000 for local charities throughout the county.

During the Battle of Britain the pilots used Hawkinge as a forward base. The V1 flying bombs (doodlebugs) were launched from ramps in Pas de Calais and thousands passed over East Kent (or were shot down) on their way to London. Those indiscriminate, short-lived but lethal weapons brought terror to Kent in 1944-5. It is a story, not only of devastation and drama, but of courage, resourcefulness, luck and even humour.

The Public Lecture is FREE to attend but advance booking is essential. Please contact jane.seaman@canterbury.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.