Lewes History Group

Brian and Jacqueline Bodle (née Windless) grew up on the Nevill Estate in Lewes, and describe their earlier lives in and around the estate in a vivid account. Their stories centre mostly on the 1940s and ‘50s, and range across areas like everyday life in the community, housework, shopping, going rabbiting, the Race Course, the War, and Nevill Sports Days.

Brian and Jacqueline’s evocative and colourful account is the result of an interview they gave to the Nevill Street Story team. Led by Ann Holmes, this team has assembled a large collection of  photos, cuttings, and spoken memories about early life and events on the Nevill. This remarkable material is accessible to everyone on the Lewes History Group website, as part of our Lewes Street Stories series.

Street party in Hamsey Crescent celebrating the end of World War 2
Click image to enlarge

Brian and Jacqueline Bodle’s early memories

The Nevill Street Story

A National Trust, Lewes Centre event

Bob Cairns: So you think you know Lewes?

A light hearted seasonal jaunt lead by Bob Cairns, using his extensive collection of historic postcards to test our local knowledge.

Venue: Priory School, Mountfield Road, Lewes BN7 2XN

Entry: £2 for members of the Lewes Centre, £5 for non-members

Further information about the Lewes Centre of the National Trust

Following a brief AGM, Andrew Buxton will reveal many aspects of the history of Lewes that are represented by statues, monuments, murals and other artworks such as the sculpture of madrigal singers in Grange Gardens and the Battle of Lewes helmet in the Priory grounds. This illustrated talk builds on Andrew’s “Lewes Public Art Trail” leaflet available from the Tourist Office.

Early history is represented by the stylised ammonite ‘snail’ on the Cuilfail roundabout, and capitals on Gideon Mantell’s house. Later references are the painting of the Priory garden on Friars Walk, the Helmet commemorating the Battle of Lewes in the Priory grounds, the madrigal singers in Grange Gardens commemorating Nicholas Yonge, the statue of Tom Paine outside the Library and the painting of him under the Market Tower.

The twentieth century is represented by the War Memorial on the High Street and the frieze at County Hall. Most recent are murals on Friars Walk and Station Street supporting the Extinction Rebellion campaign.

Madrigal Singers, Grange Gardens, photo © Andrew Buxton

All are welcome from 7.00pm for free refreshments and updates on the Group’s activities. Proceedings will begin promptly at 7:30pm and will finish by 9.00pm.

Entry for this meeting, incorporating the AGM, is free to Lewes History Group members, and £3 for non-members, payable at the door.

Venue: The King’s Church building on Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2BY. (Between Tesco car park and Homebase)

See the Meetings page for a list of  forthcoming monthly talks organised by the Lewes History Group.