Mayfield Palace

Saints and sinners, rogues and rascals, cons and icons including an officer and a gentleman who turned himself into a circus freak, Grey Owl the Sussex-born "Red Indian', Pauline Grant who devotes herself to rescuing animals and Dolly Shepherd, the Edwardian aeronaut who gave parachute displays.

A survey of health and hospital provision from the 1870s to c.1939 and looks at hospital provision, isolation and cottage hospitals and the general background in an age dominated by contagious disease.

Continuing on from last year's fascinating talk about the Oast house buildings.

The story of the world famous author and poet, his strong ties with Sussex and the mystery surrounding his beloved only son. The talk begins with the question: Is the mystery solved?

An intriguing probe into the passport stories behind history - assassins who caused the rules to be changed forever, a spy with a mysterious passport and a traitor hanged by a passport he should never have had.

The prosperity and decline of Sussex agriculture in the early 19th century and the factors that brought about the change and its subsequent revival

A talk delivered in the first person, in costume, about the life of the eccentric Georgian squire.

An update on the research and excavations by the Mid Sussex Field Archaeological Team, on the Long Man.

A chronological study of the wonderful legacy of ecclesiastical architecture in the county.

Early film material, moving on to video and then to digital, by the Director of the South East Film and Video Archive, at the University of Brighton.

Patricia is currently a NADFAS lecturer, and an author of many books, both fiction and non-fiction. This talk tells of fashion, feasting and flirting - all bringinging our predecessors to life.

Elizabeth is the East Sussex County Archivist and will talk to us about the function and value of our very busy Record Office, and how we can make best use of it.

David Martin, F.S.A., M.I.F.A., is an Associate Tutor with the University of Sussex, and both he, and his wife Barbara, are leading authorities on Vernacular Architecture.

This villa has been excavated over the last six years by UCL Field Archaeology Unit and the Mid Sussex Field Archaeology Team, under the directorship of Chris Butler, who will talk to us about this large and fascinating site.

Alan Waters will be talking to us on the subject of charcoal burning which was fundamental to life for so many people, for so many purposes, and for such a long period of time in this area of the High Weald. He has given charcoal burning displays at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum for over twenty years.

Elizabeth is a professional singer and her long association with Glyndebourne Opera makes her talk on this opera house very personal and interesting.

Lady Teviot is the President of UK Federation of Family History Societies. 'Census Searches' is a family business, established by Lady Teviot who has been involved in family history research for over twenty-five years.

John Booth is the exhibition manager for the Brighton and Hove Museum and the keeper of the Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton

Pam is going to repeat the extremely interesting talk on the history of Crowborough that she gave at Beacon Community College for the Town Council centenary celebrations.

Helen Poole is the Senior Museum's Officer for the Society

James Gardner, a local historian and author, tells the true story of a notorious murder on the Brighton–London line. He looks at the fascinating character of the man executed for the crime, Percy Leroy Mapleton.

An amusing look at the burial places of the famous and the infamous with anecdotes from their lives by John Vigar, who talked to us two years ago about Sussex churches.

On the 8th April there is no meeting in the Church Hall so we are going to FLETCHING where we are to be given a tour of the ancient church, St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin.
We plan to meet outside of the church at 1845 with the tour commencing at 1900. The tour will last for about an hour and afterwards we are going to the Rose and Crown in the High Street for a drink/meal/snack. If you plan to dine at the Rose and Crown you can make a table reservation by telephoning the pub on 01825 723468
There will be no charge for this Event and the Committee hope as many Members as possible will be able to come along.

Smuggling stories hold a fascination for us all and here in the southeast, with its proximity to London and the Continent, smugglers were leaders in their field.

The Shinewater Park site was excavated in the summer of 1995 by South Eastern Archaeological Services under the direction of Chris Greatorex.

The marriage of Ela de Dene to Jordan de Sackville in 1140 began the Sackville dynasty in Sussex at Buckhurst. The talk covers them and their descendants who have had a material impact on Withyham, East Grinstead, Crowborough, Sevenoaks and the Ashdown Forest over the next 900 years. The talk finishes with the remarkable Vita Sackville-West and Sissinghurst

Meet at 11:00 am on Saturday 9th August at Bayham Abbey on the B2169 between Tunbridge Wells and Lamberhurst.
Please note that this is a free event for members with non-members paying £3.
There will be a second outing to Bayham Abbey on Saturday 16th August at 14:00 pm

Meet at 14:00 pm on Saturday 16th August at Bayham Abbey on the B2169 between Tunbridge Wells and Lamberhurst.
Please note that this is a free event for members with non-members paying £3.

Christopher Whittick is the Senior Archivist at the East Sussex Record Office, and probably the only man with sufficient knowledge of this subject to give this talk.

What were the beliefs of Old Sussex? Learn about witchcraft, omens and charms, while exploring the ritual year. Particular attention will be given to the writings of the 19th century folklorist Charlotte Latham.

Bob Ogley, a former journalist, is now the author of more than twenty books and a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent.

David was a former newspaper journalist and BBC producer/presenter and has worked for some years as a freelance author, broadcaster, publisher and editor. He has written some 30 books on Sussex. His talk will take a questionnaire format, which should keep us on our toes!

Geoffrey lectures at the University of Sussex and has a wealth of knowledge about life in Sussex.

James tells the story of this hospital and its superintendent who was described as the greatest medical superintendent of the nineteenth century. He will refer to his book "Sweet Bells Jangled out of Tune"

Please meet at St Michaels Church at Withyham at 6:30 p.m. for a tour and talk about the Church. The society will meet socially afterwards at the Haywaggon Inn.

Chris is the Director of the Mid Sussex Field Archaeological Team. His talk will tell us of the archaeology of the many surviving military sites in East Sussex.

David has talked to us in the past about timber-framed buildings in Sussex and will now ask us about who we think may have lived in some of these houses.

Mick is a lecturer on environmental science and Geoff lectures on literature & cultural studies at several universities. They are both gifted musicians with a wealth of knowledge about folklore. We can look forward to a lively and entertaining evening!

Anne of Cleves House, Lewes on Saturday 15th August. Please meet there at 10:30am.

followed by a Slide Show

Bob Ogley, a former journalist, is now the author of more than twenty books and a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent. This talk is about the 1987 'hurricane' and how it led to the producing of his own book. I am sure it will be as well received as his talk last year about Doodlebugs.

Chris will tell us about the Sussex bonfire traditions and the conflicts that arose from the attempts to restrain the excess of the celebrations.

Stewart has written this fascinating book about an important aspect of Britain's wartime history

Geoffrey lectures at the University of Sussex and has a wealth of knowledge about life in Sussex. We have enjoyed his previous talks about Sussex agriculture and the south coast resorts.

This talk about the challenges and chances of life in a 14th century village is given by Mark, a popular speaker and well respected educational lecturer.

Malcolm has been the town clerk of the ancient town of Winchelsea for many years and his talk is based on one of his books, 'Winchelsea - The Tale of a Medieval Town'

Heather is a prominent member of Wadhurst Historical Society and an excellent speaker on a wide range of topics

Chris is a popular local speaker and this talk is about the war diary of Joan Srange, who lived in Worthing, and it is a heart warming and sometimes heart breaking account of her experiences.

Peter is an ex-police officer who gives a fascinating talk based on research into the buildings of tunnels, pipes and buildings under London

Following our April talk by Malcolm Pratt about 'Winchelsea in the 18th Century', we have arranged our August outing this year to visit Winchelsea, with a guided tour by Malcolm. We will meet him at the Court Hall in Winchelsea at 10:30 am, with a preliminary talk and a viewing of the old prison, followed by a visit to the museum and then to the church. We will break for lunch at 12:45 (either your own packed lunch, outside if fine weather, or at the Court Hall if wet, or at the New Inn close by). The afternoon, 2:00 -3:30, will be taken up by the cellar tour, visiting a wonderful group of Medieval vaulted undercrofts, some difficult to access so a torch and sensible footwear would be needed, followed by complimentary tea and biscuits back at the Court Hall. A contribution of £5 each will be given to the Winchelsea Corporation Ancient Monuments Fund. The Court Hall donation will be paid by the Society.
Please contact Jenny Scott or a Committee member if you intend to come on this outing.

Lady Teviot is an expert family history researcher and very entertaining speaker.

Lyn is the Historic Environment Project Officer for the Weald Forest Ridge and will talk to us about how LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) aids her work on the Forest

Heather makes a return visit after fascinating us with Ellen Terry and Smallhythe Place last year.

Stewart has written this interesting book about an important aspect of Britain’s wartime history.

Tonbridge castle is the best remaining example of a motte and bailey castle in the county and it has probably the strongest gatehouse in England, dating from the 1260s.

St Margaret's was built around 1250, the year that Margaret, Queen of Scotland was canonised. It is a Grade 1 listed sandstone building in the Early English style, with the majority of the building remaining unaltered since the 13th century, although the tower is a later addition.
The church is situated in Buxted Park, to the west of the village, and in the grounds of the Buxted Park Hotel. The village was originally based around the church until, in the 19th century, the 3rd Lord Liverpool, became the owner of the Park House and landlord of the village. He allowed the housing to deteriorate and encouraged the population to move away to the other side of the valley!
We plan to meet outside the church at 6.30 pm. There is ample parking space. The tour will last about an hour and afterwards we are going to the Crow and Gate for a drink/meal/snack. Please make your own reservation at The Crow and Gate if you are planning to dine there.
There will be no charge for this event, as the Society will be making a donation to the church from our funds. The committee does hope you can come to this event.
Please ensure that Jenny Scott knows that you intend to attend.

Andy has given this talk to many societies locally but the subject never fails to amaze us.

Jennifer will talk about diary keeping and tell us of some of the interesting diary entries of Walter Gale (schoolmaster of Mayfield), Thomas Turner (shopkeeper at East Hoathly), Sarah Wells (of Uppark) and Lillian Elliott (of Petworth) – if she has time!

Janet’s doctoral thesis was on the architecture and social history of Sussex inns and taverns and I know no-one better, or more entertaining, to give a talk on this particular subject of inn signs.

Tonbridge boasts Kent's best example of a motte-and-bailey castle. The mighty gatehouse, built between 1220 and 1260, is amongst the finest in England. For our tour of the gatehouse we plan to meet at 10 am at the Castle. There is ample car parking space close by. Pat Mortlock, who gave us a talk about Tonbridge Castle in March, will be our guide for the morning. Depending on numbers, we may need to be guided round in two parties, each taking just under one hour, one group in the gatehouse and one group going round the grounds. You can climb the motte if you are feeling energetic! The Tonbridge Tourist Information Centre is also in the castle grounds.
There will be no charge for members for this visit but you will need to pay for your car parking.
Weather permitting, we will have a picnic lunch in the castle grounds and take a walk along the River Medway in the afternoon.

Emma lives locally and is a curator for the National Trust, based at Scotney Castle

Peter has put together a presentation, using black and white photographic slides and an original magic lantern.

November 15th is the anniversary of one of the worst UK lifeboat disasters, when the Rye Lifeboat, 'Mary Stanford' capsized and the whole crew of 17 drowned. Geoff (of Mad Jack Fuller fame) will tell us more of this distressing story.

It is a collage of images, historic and contemporary of the area of the  beach between the piers.  Taken at random, they are a microcosm of Brighton's history, culture and landscape.

Once thought a successor to Elizabeth I, she lived most of her life in the protective isolation of Hardwick Hall but met her demise in the Tower of London.

John talks about medieval murals and stained glass windows, illustrating the martyrdom of saints, miserichords showing seamier scenes, and memorials depicting scenes of murder and mayhem.

We plan to meet outside the church at 6:45pm. The church is down a small lane just before you reach Isfield, the village and there is adequate parking by the church. The tour will last about an hour and afterwards we are going to the Laughing Fish public house for a meal, or just a drink. Please let Jennie Scott know if you are coming on this outing.

This local author's talk links well with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2012.

David tells of the groups of tall steel and wooden pylons, that were part of the wartime CH (Chain-Home) RADAR (RAdio Direction And Ranging) system built around the coast in 1938-1945.

Colin is a prison officer at the Lewes Prison and will tell its history since it was built in 1853. He will use interactive means to give his talk, giving us a choice in the content.

This talk is given with music, humour and a large number of photos, looking back with nostalgia to the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, decades which influenced the lives of so many of us.

Emma has been working on Vita Sackville-West's letters and books in her library at Sissinghurt - and assures us she will tell of many new discoveries.

Jennie will talk about the wealth of historic gardens and designed landscapes in Sussex, the people who inspired and created them, and the role of Sussex Gardens Trust in their conservation.

William Camden, antiquarian and topographer wrote and drew as he walked across Sussex in the 16th century. Geoffrey retraced his steps, with a camera, pondering continuity and change.

Archibald Stansfield Belaney, born and brought up in Hastings went to Canada to become a fur trapper, a conservationist and later claimed to be a native American Indian.

A history of this iconic site on the South Downs, its Iron Age Hill fort earthworks, Roman occupation, up to its devastation by the 1987 storm and gradual restoration.

This derelict village near Newhaven consisted of a large tide mill and many workers' cottages.

When is a bomb not a bomb? Searching for missing persons? Football match policing? The stowaway to freedom? The very expensive 'sleep-over'? An audience led talk about a policeman’s lot.

Please note change of talk and subject

I would like to take you on a guided walk around Lewes looking at the Norman features of Lewes. It will be about 2.5 miles and last about two hours. We will mainly be walking on roads and I have to warn you, some of them are quite steep! We will stop and talk about many sites and visit the ruins of Lewes Priory, Southover Church, Southover Grange gardens and there will be an optional visit to Lewes Castle and Barbican Museum at the end of the walk.

We will meet at 10.00 am at Lewes bus station. I will be going in on the 29 bus which leaves Crowborough Cross at 9.02 but there are plenty of car parks (all a bit expensive) in Lewes if you want to go in by car.

Please note there will be no charge for this event, unless you wish to visit the castle. (Admission price £6.60 adults / £5.90 for senior citizens).

Please let Jenny Scott if you intend to come on this walk

The Special Operations Executive, or the 'Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' - a history of the brave men and women agents who were parachuted behind enemy lines to 'Set Europe Ablaze'.

Concentrating on the first 60 years of the BBC - its development, sounds, voices, events, comedy and music of the period - a nostalgic look back on the glorious days of British radio.

A history of this grand, brick castle and the families who lived in it from 1441.

This is a talk about WW2, Spitfires and WAAFs, running a village pub in war-time and the joys of hop picking – in short, a talk about nostalgia.

This working farm, at the base of the South Downs, listed as a working farm in the Domesday Book, was once owned by the Knights Templar and has a wealth of historic buildings.

David, a journalist for 45 years, tells the bizarre and disturbing story of the serial killer, John George Haigh, that took place the 1940s in Crawley, West Sussex.

An exciting decade that included the motor car, aviation, fashion, the 'flappers' and Art Deco.

The story of his mother’s memories and the role of women on farms during two world wars.

This intelligent and not unattractive lady was to outlive all Henry’s wives and loved, and was loved by, Mary and Elizabeth.

A history of Scotney Castle and the families who lived in it.

Tristan is the CEO of Sussex Archaeological Society and has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Sussex graveyards. He has run excellent courses on recording and interpreting graveyards.

Geoffrey returns to tell us more about our historic locality.

A history of the building and its occupants, depicting the lives of the servants 'downstairs' and their masters - the family 'upstairs'.

This NADFAS speaker who served for twenty years in the Women's Royal Army Corps talks about the 93^rd Regiment Royal Artillery (all-female, apart from the Commanding Officer)

A theatrical tour of the city, a tale of famous actors in Brighton and the start of music halls

Was he a happy child and adult, or did that small bear overshadow his life?

The problems and pleasures of the journey - and much about getting stuck in that Weald Clay!

A lively insight into the phenomenon of smuggling, from days gone by to present times

A history of postcards, collecting them and their value, with many local views

One of William I’s foremost supporters was responsible for Lewes Castle as well as the Priory

For our outing this year we have arranged a visit to Rye. We are travelling there in Paul's old South Downs bus as we did last year. We will set off from outside Waitrose where we will meet at 9.00 am, for the visit to start at about 10.30am. The Society will pay the £11.50 for the cost of the coach travel (£10) and the Sound and Light Show set within the Rye Town Model (£1.50). All other visits that you make will be at your own expense. The plan is that we will watch the sound and light show then I will take you on a tour of Rye. You can buy the guide and take yourselves round if you wish, but I will have done some extra research on the places we will visit! This walk will take about two hours stopping for coffee as we go round and isn't too strenuous, and then you could find a place for lunch and go back to visit some of the places that we passed that interested you and spend more time at them, such as Lamb House (NT/ £4.55), the Church of St Mary and its grave yard (plus a climb up the tower for £3.50 for a good view of Rye or climb the stairs at the Ypres Tower and Rye Castle Museum for nothing after entry of £2.50. I will give you all a map and you can plan it out for yourselves. Allowing an hour for lunch and an hour and a half to do your own thing, we will leave about 3.30 to be home about 5pm. Raincoats needed, dependant on the weather (we will go whatever the weather — there is no such thing as bad weather, just badly chosen clothing!) and sensible shoes for the cobbled streets. The committee does hope you can come to this event. Please let Jenny know if you intend to join the trip.

Isolated and inward looking, Sussex was once a kingdom in its own right, from 474 -825

This once glorious Cluniac building flourished in Lewes from 1080 until the Dissolution – now attractively restored with excellent interpretation panels

This should brighten our gloomy autumn nights! – nostalgic, musical and light-hearted

Built in the 19th century, this fort was the largest defence work ever built in Sussex. Ian was at one time the manager of the Fort.

Everyone knows about the Titanic, - but did it really hit an iceberg and sink on 15th April 1912?

A talk on oral history, playing excerpts from interviews that he has recorded over the years and the value of this type of research to the historian.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the twinning of Crowborough and Montargis.

Where are the children in Medieval art? Although so often missing we know they were hardworking and cherished, loving toys and games but sadly often doomed to an early grave.

The story of Britain’s first Grade 1 listed pier, looking back on its heyday of entertainment. Now just skeletal remains but soon to be the site of the i360 tower (574ft high) - a pier in the sky?

Tales of the ladies of the Early Tudor Court – how important were they?

For our outing this year we have arranged a visit to Newhaven Fort. We are travelling there in Paul's old South Downs bus as we did last year. We will set off from outside Waitrose where we will meet at 9.30 am, for the visit to start at about 10.30 am. Entrance to the fort is £5.80 for adult group rate and £4.60 for senior citizens concessions. The Society will pay for the cost of coach travel. There is a café at the fort for teas and coffees, and also for light lunches.
There is so much to see and read about there in the many exhibitions and a very cleverly constructed air raid simulation.
The committee does hope you can come to this event.

Back by popular request, this lively speaker talks about a range of creatures and humans, with delicate and indelicate histories.

Geoffrey returns to tell us about the historic village and country estate, where he is a tour guide.

Emma is back to talk about one of the projects she is responsible for, as a Curator at the NT, based at Scotney Castle.

The intriguing and colourful history of the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament

Looking at the changing fortunes of this coastal community and how its appearance today shows its historic evolution

Tony, dressed in full court costume, will give us his hilarious, and sometimes provocative, version of life in the Tudor Court, with his portrayal of Henry VIII

The story of the chalk and lime industry in the Arun Valley

A tale of fabulous monsters and mythical beasts on manuscripts and church buildings, some funny, some downright disrespectful, illustrating devotion with a mix of piety, fun and profanity

The story of the shepherds who spent their solitary lives caring for their flocks of sheep, grazing on the Downs, once central to the economy of the area

Down to Brighton on the 29 bus and a stroll along the promenade, briefly on the shingle, to see the Fishing Museum, the piers, and other historic features plus the i360

A wide range of period artefacts from her collection to illustrate the wealth of history hidden in our attics - a chance to reminisce and examine household objects from the past

The story of an influential group of writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists in Sussex

The story of Sherlock, our local hero, - and a dastardly murderer.

Many people have wanted to claim England as their own over the centuries.
Imogen tells us about who came and some of the reasons why.

A talk about the Pevensey Levels, one of the largest lowland wet grassland systems in southeast England. Designated an SCI, an SSSI and an NNR with a rather limited history - Geoffrey tells us more!

A look at how castles revolutionised warfare in medieval times, with references to Pevensey Castle.

This medieval castle and former Roman Saxon Shore fort with its history dating back over 1600 years.

Lewes was formerly a hive of industry and its river banks were once lined with cargo docks and warehouses. John illustrates his talk with a collection of photographs amassed by his father.

A miscellaneous collection of Sussex history, anecdotes and folklore.

The story of a 'Wealden' hall house, dating from its 1436 beginnings to its 2016 restoration.

A look at aspects of daily life in front-line Sussex - a county within the sounds of guns on the Western Front. A significant talk, this year being the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

A story of women’s campaigning, law-abiding and non-violent, with reference to Crowborough, Uckfield and Heathfield, this year being the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote.

WW2 D-Day, a sargeant's tale, a poignant story in memory of his father.

We think of them as ferocious fighting men, plundering, wrecking and desecrating our green and pleasant land, but are there other aspects to these invaders? Who were these people, why did they come here and what did they hope to achieve?

John Fuller, 1757-1834, was the eccentric Squire of the hamlet of Brightling, in Sussex, and politician. He was a builder of follies, philanthropist, patron of the arts and sciences, and supporter of slavery.

A story of Hastings, setting the scene, for our visit in August. It gave its name to the battle taking place in 1066, became one of the medieval Cinque ports, a popular seaside resort in the 19th century with the coming of the railway and now a fishing port with a beach-based fleet.

Chris looks at the historical aspects of witchcraft in Sussex and witch trials. He tells of locations relating to witchcraft, and old cottages where many anti-witchcraft charms can still be found, plus the legacy of witchcraft in modern times among the Wicca movement.

Who made it, where and why? Was it made in Bayeux or by English seamstresses?