Programme
The Society maintains an annual schedule of events and supports particular projects. All are to stimulate awareness of quality of life in the town and our distinctive heritage and culture.
2024 Programme
The 2023 programme can be downloaded here. All meetings start at 19:30 unless otherwise stated.
January
No meeting
Wednesday 7 February
Ros Black: Scandal, Salvation and Suffrage
Wednesday 13 March
Roy Watts: Bluebell Railway
Roy Watts MBE is a Vice President of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. He will outline the fascinating story of the restoration of the Bluebell Railway.
Wednesday 17 April
Ian Everest: Sussex During the First World War
Using period photographs, Ian looks at aspects of daily life in Sussex: a county within the sounds of the guns on the Western Front! This was a time when Sussex was a warfare supply depot and a reception centre for the wounded.
Wednesday 15 May
Robert Pike: Nutley Windmill
Robert will tell us the story of Nutley Windmill, standing Ashdown Forest and last Open Trestle Post Mill in Sussex and one of only 5 left in the country. She is the best-preserved windmill is Sussex and the only one that is operational. It is a fine example of the oldest design of windmill known in this country since the 12th century, built in the time of King Henry VIII in the 16th century and restored to full working order in 1970’s.
Wednesday 12 June
Kathryn Ferry: Arts and Crafts Design around East Grinstead
Another talk from our popular local historian and author focussing on aspects of the Town’s architecture.
Wednesday 17 July
Summer Drinks/Open Forum
August
NO MEETING
Wednesday 18 September
Andy Thomas: Lewes and Bonfire Night
Illustrated with his own spectacular photographs, Andy looks at the enthralling rituals and events around the famous Lewes Bonfire festival.
Wednesday 16 October
Linda Grace: Helena Hall Diarist: Sussex in the 1940’s.
Linda has edited the diary of a local Sussex resident Helena Hall. It’s one of the most vivid, detailed and evocative personal records of the 1940’ as experienced by people living in a Sussex village. The diary describes everyday activities alongside momentous national and international events.
Wednesday 13 November
AGM – speaker tba
Wednesday 18 December
Jenny Watson: Sustainable Gardening and Climate Change / Christmas Drinks
Jenny is the Head Gardener at East Court and will describe her work there and provide tips on how we can garden better in today’s challenging climate conditions.