WADHURST HISTORY SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 36 Spring 2017 Learn from the Past to Understand the Present Notes from the Centre

Picture of the High Street by David Peacock, published in the County magazine of December 1985.

The High Street has always been the focus of Wadhurst life following as it does the geological ridge of the Sussex Weald. It’s pleasing to see that now more and more residents and others are discovering where the Wadhurst History Centre actually is off that said High Street and then come and visit to browse and unearth at least some of the hidden secrets of the Wadhurst of the past. That way, they also find out why Wadhurst is as it is today – even why we have the traffic jams.

Several groups of members have come down by prior‐arrangement and have enjoyed their time with us on Tuesdays, not to mention the coffee and biscuits. Here is an OPEN INVITATION to every single member of the Wadhurst History Society and their friends and family. Please come and EXPLORE THE HISTORY CENTRE DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR. Come and find out about the history of the properties, the people, the shops, the leisure activities. Discover the stories behind the names of roads and lanes. You can come down any Tuesday morning except in holiday times or you can arrange with Rachel (783455) a specific day and perhaps tell her of any topic which particularly interests you. Come and see what we are doing and maybe you would find something you would like to do down there too. We organised a walking tour of the centre of Wadhurst a couple of years ago: Discover the 1st World War in Wadhurst. Would you like to join a different tour this summer? Buildings which tell a story about Wadhurst. Please let me know.

For updated news and information about the Wadhurst History Society , please consult www.wadhursthistorysociety.org

311 The Trustees – Charity No. 1113106 Chairman/ Heather Woodward Chequers Talks during 2017 Secretary Stone Cross Road 01892 783212 Wadhurst TN5 6LR NB some of these dates were incorrect in Membership cards. These are re- checked!

Treasurer / Ian Adam‐Smith Trewyck th Webmaster Woods Green Thurs 12 January: Ightham Mote: Life Upstairs Downstairs 01892 782835 Wadhurst TN5 6QS by Heather Woodward. [Cancelled because of the weather]. Wed 8th February: 20th Century by Bob Ogley. th David James Markwicks Wed 8 March: Wonder Workers and the Art of Illusion by Cousley Wood Bertie Pearce. 01892 890330 Wadhurst TN5 6HG Wed 12th April: The Influence of Royalty on the Development of Tunbridge Wells by John Cunningham. John Phipson Olives Manor Thurs 11th May: East Sussex Folk from John Freeland to Churchsettle Rudyard Kipling by Brian Freeland. 01892 782244 Wadhurst TN5 6NQ Wed 14th June: The Story of the Crystal Palace by Ian Gledhill. Wed 12th: The Battle of Hastings – Mired in Controversy by Rachel Ring Chestnuts Hugh Willing. Stone Cross Road Thurs 21 st September: Murder, Sex and Mayhem in Churches by 01892 783455 Wadhurst TN5 6LR John Vigar. Thurs 12th October: Edith Cavell by Laton Frewen. Serena Gadd [email protected] Wed 8th November: the River Thames – London’s Liquid History by Stuart Robinson. Wed 13th Annual General Meeting, mince pies, mulled wine and The Management Committee entertainment.

Chairman Heather Woodward and Newsletter Editor And the good news is that next year’s programme devised by Arthur is completed and looks as stimulating and interesting Treasurer Ian Adam‐Smith and Webmaster as this year’s. OTHER EVENTS ON THE CALENDAR Secretary Peta Hodges 41 St James’s Road Tunbridge Wells 9th and 10th June – A Portrait of Wadhurst Exhibition, Craft 01892 536354 TN1 2JY Fair and some artistic treasures of the History Society to view. Commemoration Hall. We shall be setting the Hall up on the Thursday late afternoon/evening. Friday opening will Visits and Rachel Ring and Centre Manager be 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday 10 am to 6 pm. Offers of help Events Organiser would be gratefully