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.

2023 Programme

The 2023 programme can be downloaded here. All meetings start at 19:30 unless otherwise stated.

Please see amended programme below with a change to our September meeting.

January

No meeting

Wednesday 15 February

EARLY YEARS IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE by Michael Hodge.

After his talk last year on growing up in Stone Quarry, Michael returns to tell us of his progress into the Diplomatic Service.

Wednesday 15 March

WAKEHURST, THE LODER VALLEY by Paul Reader

Paul will talk about the Loder Valley – a 150-acre nature reserve at Wakehurst.

Wednesday 19 April

SCANDAL, SALVATION AND SUFFRAGE by Ros Black. Ros also includes the growth of the women’s temperance movement in her talk.

Monday 1 May

MAY FAIR: Society Stall in the High Street. 10am – 4pm. An opportunity to find out who we are and what we do, plus a tombola with fantastic prizes and chance to purchase home-made preserves!

Wednesday 10 May

ASPIDISTRAS AND ANTIMACASSARS by Kathryn Ferry – Middle class taste and the Victorian home.

Wednesday 14 June

SUMMER DRINKS AND OPEN FORUM Discussion on Planning, Development and Heritage

Wednesday 12 July

SUSSEX HARMONY – Concert of Sussex Music

A first for us – a concert but focussed on Sussex. Sussex Harmony is a choir based in Lewes founded 30 years ago and promising a vibrant evening.

August

No meeting

Wednesday 13 September

ART NOUVEAU by Ian Gledhill. After his talk last year on Art Deco, Ian takes into the world of Art Nouveau.

Wednesday 18 October

ASHDOWN FOREST by Martin Berry.

Martin is from the Ashdown Forest Research Group and will be focussing on the fascinating history of the Forest

Wednesday 15 November

56th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. An assessment of the year and election of your new Committee. Followed by a short talk about Sackville College

Wednesday 13 December

CHRISTMAS FESTIVE HISTORY by Andy Thomas followed by Christmas drinks

A well-known speaker with many TV appearances, Andy will provide an ideal introduction to Christmas.