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.