Lewes History Group

Eleanor Austin and Marcus Taylor

From public library to family home: Eleanor Austin tells the story of rescuing and restoring this Victorian gem.

This will be a unique chance to hear about the Franks family’s remarkable feat of saving Fitzroy House from a derelict state, and to see photos of this process from the 1970s, shown for the first time.

This event will be in Trinity Church, Southover, BN7 1JH, rather than FoL’s regular venue at the Town Hall.

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

Tea and coffee will be available in the interval.

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

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The new season of events begins with the Lewes Heritage Open Days from Thursday to Sunday 6^th – 9^th September 2018, organised by the Friends of Lewes.

“Saving Fitzroy House” is the subject of a talk by Eleanor Austin and Marcus Taylor on September 13^th. This event will be at Trinity Church, Southover, at 7:45pm. (right)

In the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act 1918, Frances Stenlake will speak on “Women’s Suffrage in Lewes” on October 24^th, at 7:45pm in the Town Hall Lecture Room.

On January 17th  Norman Baker, our former MP, will give a personal view of our town, “Lewes Looking Back and Looking Forward”, 7:45pm in the Town Hall lecture Room.

Provisional: February 13^th will see an eco-themed evening with a number of speakers on themes including Litter-free Lewes, local water quality, and an update on our recent tree survey as part of the Urban Arboretum project. More details of this will be available later in the year.

Further events will be announced in due course.

See the Friends of Lewes Diary of Events for details

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Marcus Taylor: Gundrada’s Chapel in Southover Church

The unexpected discovery of the bodily remains of Lewes Priory’s founders, Gundrada & William de Warenne, by railway workers in 1845 had at least two tangible and long-term results: the forming of the Sussex Archaeological Society in the following year and the building of a chapel in their memory attached to Southover Church.

The chapel is only 11 feet square, but is packed with historical artefacts and Romanesque architectural details, as well as providing the final resting place for their remains after a 900-year journey.

Only occasionally open to the public, the custodian, Marcus Taylor, will give the background, show photographs of this unique Victorian tribute in stone and explain links to other Cluniac houses in England.

Judy Mackerras: The Turkish Baths

Judy Mackerras has researched the Turkish Baths on Friars Walk and tells its story from 1863 when it was built by subscription to provide public bathing in an age when most homes had no bathrooms nor piped hot water.

However, after only 19 years the baths and subsequently the building has changed hands several times, serving as a second-hand furniture shop, a printing works (twice), part of Clothkits and now, in its latest iteration, a well-being and arts centre.

John Downie:  Lewes Clocks

After an introduction to Lewes’ town clocks, including what they were for and why communities paid for these machines, John Downie will focus on Lewes’ older examples, St Thomas a Becket, Cliffe and the Market tower. He will also talk about the range of inner workings.

John says, “Although some of the movements have been replaced by auto rewinding gear, or even by electronics, a few are still wound manually, like the late 19^th century clock on St John the Baptist in Southover and the 17^th century clock on St Thomas.”

Turkish Baths, Gundrada’s Chapel (image © Trinity Church, Southover), Lewes Clocks

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.