Lewes History Group

Norman Baker: Lewes – looking back, looking forward

From 1997 to 2015, Norman Baker was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Lewes. He held a number of government positions including Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Transport, and Minister of State at the Home Office, overseeing issues relating to national security.

For this talk, Norman Baker provides a personal reflection on Lewes: Looking Back, Looking Forward.

7.45pm Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall (Fisher Street entrance)

Open to all – admission free to Friends of Lewes members, £3 for non-members

Wine and juice can be purchased in the interval

See the Diary page for a list of  forthcoming events organised by the Friends of Lewes.

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Chris Smith: Local History with the Path Detectives

At the end of 2025 most rights of way that existed before 1949, but which are not on the Rights of Way map, will be abolished. Using historical documents, a small group has been trying to find lost rights of way locally and add them to the map. Chris Smith will share what he and his researchers have discovered and encourage you to become a path detective yourself.

Hear about the crack on the head that lost Kingston a footpath; the Firle council members who hated roads; the mysterious bridleway on Malling Down; the bridge-breaking Gwynnes of Folkington; and other stories that rarely makes it into the history books. Chris will also cover the history of highways and how rights of way came into being.

Image from an out of copyright Ordnance Survey map

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

There is an entry fee for these meetings, payable at the door, of £1 for members, and £3 for non-members.

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.

This exhibition has been extended until Wednesday 16 January 2019

The general election of 14 December 1918 was a landmark of British democracy. For the first time, some women were able to vote, along with millions more men, tripling the size of the electorate.

This exhibition looks at the struggle that led to women winning the vote. It tells the stories of Lewes people who campaigned for and against the vote.

As the First World War drew to a close, nine thousand local women added their name to the electoral register. This project encouraged local people to ask how their family might have been involved in the campaign, and the exhibition brings some of their stories to light.

It shows portraits by Benjamin Reeves of women who voted for the first time in 1918, together with images from other archives.

Click image for more details

Image © Edward Reeves, Lewes

Venue: Lewes Town Hall, High Street, Lewes, BN7 2QS: Baxter Corridor, and Entrance Hall

Exhibition Open Day: Equality FC stall, suffrage photos, plus the chance to register to vote. Saturday 15 December 2018, 11-4 pm, Yarrow Room and Baxter Corridor

Thereafter the exhibition is open Mondays to Fridays from 17 December 2018 till 16 January 2019, during Town Hall opening hours

Admission free