Lewes History Group

As dusk fell on Remembrance Sunday, 12^th November 2017, 236 volunteers approximately the same age of as each of the 236 casualties named on the Lewes War Memorial walked from the home address of that individual to the memorial, carrying a flaming torch.

As each casualty’s names, addresses, causes and dates of death and ages were read out, the volunteer stepped forward, doused their torch and disappeared into the crowd.

This unique and highly moving tribute to Lewes’s war dead was recorded on film shot by four professional film makers resident in Lewes. This 15 minute film, produced with the backing of Lewes Community Screen, will be shown at the Studio, at Depot Cinema, Lewes, from Monday 5th February to Sunday 11th February.

The showings will be between 5 and 7pm on Monday 5th, (not Tuesday 6th), Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th, Friday 9th, and 2-6pm on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th. Admission to these showings is free.

There  will also be an exhibition of the original information sheets filled in by relatives of the fallen, who are commemorated on War Memorial erected in 1922. These will be accompanied by a selection of photographs from the Edward Reeves Archive.

This unforgettable event was organised by the Edward Reeves Archive Project, with the full cooperation of all seven Lewes Bonfire Societies, and the support of Lewes Town Council.

Lewes War Memorial, Remembrance Sunday, 12^th November 2017
Photo © Reeves, Lewes

Poignant Torchlight Tribute to Town’s War Dead, Sussex Express, 15 November 2017
 

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A Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, Uckfield event

James Dickinson: Henry III and the Battle of Lewes

This talk covers the reign of Henry III, a little known English king despite having been on the throne for the fourth longest period of time in our history.

Henry was an important monarch both culturally and politically. Under his reign many significant works of English architecture were built, most notably Westminster Abbey, Salisbury and Ely cathedrals, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.

At the end of his reign there was a major revolt by the barons led by Simon de Montfort. At the Battle of Lewes, the king was defeated and power passed into the hands of de Montfort and his supporters. This led to the beginnings of Parliament as we know it today.

James Dickinson is a historian from Herstmonceux.

Image at Bridge Cottage website

Venue: Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, High Street, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1AZ

Entry: £4 per ticket (£2 for UDPS members), also available from website

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In the presentation by the Reel Lewes team on June 2017 to the Lewes History Group, we were shown a few short clips from the filmed reminiscences of older local residents of their personal experiences attending Lewes cinemas. However, what was shown was only a small proportion of the material collected by the team about this aspect of Lewes history.

The complete film ‘Big Screen Memories’ celebrating cinema going in the town runs for 56 minutes, and was seen by many visitors to the Depot in the new cinema’s opening fortnight in May 2017.

We have now been able to arrange a repeat screening of ‘Big Screen Memories’ at the Depot open to everyone for 11 a.m. on Thursday 1 February 2018.

Venue: Depot Cinema, Pinwell Road, Lewes, BN7 2JS

Tickets: available via the Depot Box Office at £6 (£4 for concessions).

The Odeon, Cliffe High Street, Lewes

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