CHAS is saddened to learn that Mrs Pauline Allen, who had such a happy return trip to Canterbury in July 2025, passed away in June 2026 at the age of 97 years.
CHAS is extremely grateful to Mrs Allen’s daughter, Mrs Jane Russell, for a very generous donation of £1,000 given in her mother’s memory. To quote Mrs Russell, “the gift was given in memory of Pauline W Allen, who was born in Canterbury, was shaped by its history and its beauty and was someone who continued to have a great interest in social history throughout her life. She was very moved hearing about the exemplary work of CHAS as it re-ignited many happy childhood memories of her parents, younger brother, uncles and aunts and cousins too.“
During her childhood in Canterbury, Pauline Allen, née Payn, met many colourful characters including Miss Babington, Mary Tourtel and the red dean. To read her recollections of growing up in Canterbury please click here