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NEWSLETTER 42 Founded by David Arscott CHRISTMAS 2018 First published in 2011, reprinted 2015 – updated reprint 2018. This book has become essential reading for all those interested in the industrial archaeology of Sussex HAMMER AND FURNACE PONDS Helen Pearce Pomegranate paperback 210 x 148mm 108 pages £8.99 Illustrated with both colour and mono images Fully updated to account for changes in museums and site information Relics of the Wealden iron industry beautify the woodlands of the Kent and Sussex High Weald and adjacent parts of Surrey, but were created to power what has been described as the country’s first industrial revolution. This walker-friendly guide to the rich crop of surviving hammer and furnace ponds in the area traces the history of iron exploitation from pre-Roman times, but concentrates on the 16th and 17th centuries when the Weald throbbed to the sound of trip hammers. Fortunes were made by iron-masters such as the Fullers of Brightling, the Barhams of Wadhurst and the Streatfeildes of Chidding- stone, and several of their grand houses survive in the landscape as a testimony to their wealth. Guns for government ordnance or sale to foreign governments were the major line, but the foundries turned out a range of products, from firebacks to grave slabs. A complete gazetteer of the surviving ponds with map references and access details, a list of relevant museums, a glossary of terms and ideas for further reading. www.sussexbooks.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01629 640670 2 EDITORIAL Dear Members, Firstly, my apologies for the lateness of this Autumn/Winter newsletter, now Christmas 2018! I hope that many have not completed their shopping for the festive season, as this time I have the biggest selection of new titles since I took over the reins from Judy Moore. There should be something for everyone in this issue. I am pleased to include a couple of author’s past books – Hammer and Furnace Ponds by Helen Pearce. This has been updated and reprinted to take account of changes in museums and access. And then, Diana Crook, who is no longer writing books but articles on local history. Diana was fortunate to discover the diaries of Mrs Dudeney and put them into book form. Revised 2nd edition of the indiscreet and highly entertaining diaries of the once famous Lewes novelist, Mrs Henry Dudeney. The passage of time has allowed for further revelations. (See page 15.) Tim Parker’s A Question of Identity takes us from Hastings to Russia and Hollywood and features his uncle, Cecil Parker, who features in my favourite film, The Lady Killers. We have two new childrens’ books – one from the master storyteller, Alex Askaroff – The Magic Sewing Machine, and another from Peter J Stenning, The Adventures of Roderick the Monkey and his friend Jim. We have books on places – Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe, Hastings & St Leonards, Eastbourne, West Sussex, Newhaven and Chichester. For the transport buffs there is Sussex Buses and Sussex Tranpsort Heritage, and the railways are not forgotten with Southern Railway and Southern Electrics. On history, we have Sussex Industrial Heritage and A History of Sussex, the latter contains new research following Armstrong’s book. For bedtime reading I recommend Retribution by Lewes author Beverley Elphick, a well researched historical novel set in East Sussex. Another good read is Mixed Fruit from a Sussex Tree by John Snelling of Horsham. Pen & Sword have published two new books on womens’ lives in Eastbourne, and Hove and Portslade. At one time, Hove employed more domestic servants than the posher parts of London! And on domestic duties, a wonderful new recipe book from East Sussex author, Jennifer Lunenborg – Rustic Recipes – The Woodburner Cookbook. For the energetic, Up The Downs! by David Arscott’s son, Jack. Mark Miller has written RAF Tangmere in 100 Objects, and Rosalie Leng writes on Ashdown Forest in Forest, Folks and Family Poems. Just in! The Sussex Trug by Sarah Page (See page 13.) Happy reading, have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy new year, Dick Richardson SUSSEX BOOK CLUB · COURTYARD COTTAGE · LITTLE LONGSTONE · BAKEWELL · DERBYSHIRE DE45 1NN NEW BOOK FROM COUNTRY BOOKS 3 A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Tim Parker Country Books paperback 234 x 155mm 94 pages 43 illustrations £14.50 “Who do you think you are? Well, it has taken me some sixty odd years to find out. ‘A Question of Identity’ is the story of what I discovered.” Tim Parker, June 2018. Just who were the Schwabes of Hastings and what did they do? In this enchanting biography Tim Parker reveals their past, their extraordinary accomplish- ments, sacrifices and their true identity. The book describes a luxury hotel in Hastings, the Albany, socialising with the celebrated authors Conan Doyle and Arthur Ransome, and MI6 Operations in St Petersburg at the time that Rasputin was shot and the revolution was fomenting. Then there were the tri- als and tribulations of two World Wars when the Schwabe family, eleven in number, suffered grievous loss and heart ache. As soon they were old enough the Schwabe sons joined the army serving in the First World War in the Fusiliers and the Royal Sussex Reg- iments. The next generation served with the Navy and the Royal Airforce in the Second World War. It is a riveting tale and there is glamour too, with theatre, the rise of the Elstree film studios, Ingrid Bergman, Cecil Parker and Hollywood as well as engagement with occupational careers in the Merchant Navy, Textiles, Chemicals and a concert pianist too. Like most real family sagas the reader will share elation but also pathos, the horrors of war, the uplifting support of family love and the successes which were proudly earned. August wanted to become an Englishman, and with the help of his family that’s what he became. But where did the Schwabes go? An unusual name not found in the telephone directories of a later age. That is the mystery behind this intriguing true story. On reading the story, Julian Parker, Master Mariner and grandson of Charles August Schwabe, said: “My father, like most men of his generation, was a private man, but I was astonished to learn that in those war years he never talked about he had been in Russia and, miraculously, had escaped from the notorious Peter & Paul Fortress and near certain execution by the Bolsheviks by swimming the mighty river Neva.” www.sussexbooks.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01629 640670 4 NEW COUNTRY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN THE MAGIC SEWING MACHINE Alex Askaroff Country Books paperback 230 x 155mm 50 pages 27 colour illustrations £5.99 The midnight hour had come and gone and upstairs in Eastbourne’s finest sewing shop came the sound of gentle snoring from the shop’s owner, Albert Cade. Albert blissfully hugged his pillow and giggled away to himself, dreaming dreams that only the happiest of people ever dream. Follow Albert and his magic sewing machine on the best day of the year as he and his beloved dog Sylko prepare for The Grand Ball. With Ragtail, Squeeler and Stinker, the three shop mice creating havoc, it will be a day that few will ever forget. THE ADVENTURES OF RODERICK THE MONKEY AND HIS FRIEND JIM No.1 The Magic Island Peter R Stenning Country Books paperback 210 x 148mm 24 pages 21 B&W illustrations £5.00 A numbered limited edition signed by the author SUSSEX BOOK CLUB · COURTYARD COTTAGE · LITTLE LONGSTONE · BAKEWELL · DERBYSHIRE DE45 1NN NEW BOOK FROM AMBERLEY 5 SALTDEAN FROM OLD PHOTOGRAPHS Douglas d’Enno Amberley paperback 234 x 165mm 128 pages 240 illustrations £14.99 A fascinating portrait of the Saltdean area of East Sussex near Brighton presented through a remarkable collection of historical photographs. In this book author Douglas d’Enno traces the changing face of pictorial Saltdean over the course of its intriguing history, starting with a survey of archaeological finds, then of the foreshore and associated hazards and of early activities on the down- land on which the community would gradually be built. Alongside the development of Saltdean as a leisure resort, modern housing increasingly drew in new residents before the Second World War, including a number of prominent figures. Its development was halted during the war but resumed in the 1950s and 1960s as the infrastructure of schools, shops and churches was created for the community. Following its use for war purposes, the Ocean Hotel remained virtually unused until 1953 when Billy Butlin dramati- cally restored its popularity. For its part, the lido lay derelict from 1945 until 1964, when it reopened to huge acclaim from locals and visitors. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who know Saltdean and this corner of the Sussex coast east of Brighton, and equally to those unfamiliar with them. THE AUTHOR In 1985, Douglas d’Enno’s ‘The Saltdean Story’ – now difficult to obtain – was published and since then he has written 15 books, mainly of local or regional interest, including a parish history, two books on true crime in Brighton, and several ‘Through Time’ books on the Sussex area for Amberley. He has passed on to his readers his detailed knowledge of the county in all its attractive variety. He now contributes to a number of community magazines and continues to be active in the writing of books as well as translating from a number of European languages on a freelance basis despite having officially retired. www.sussexbooks.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01629 640670 6 NEW BOOKS FROM PEN & SWORD SOUTHERN RAILWAY, MAUNSELL MOGULS AND TANK LOCOMOTIVE CLASSES David Maidment Pen & Sword hardback 240 x 250mm 240 pages £35.00 The book covers the allocation, operation and performance of these classes and includes some personal reminiscences of the author who experienced the moguls at first hand.