Lewes History Group

This talk will be followed by a short Lewes History Group AGM for members, scheduled for 8:45pm on Zoom. [AGM Zoom link was sent to LHG members on 27.11.20, and will be re-sent at a later date]

A Zoom Webinar

Chris Horlock: A Sussex Christmas

Lewes History Group’s December talk on Zoom by local historian Chris Horlock reveals how the people of Sussex celebrated Christmas in the past. Even those who know Sussex well will discover some new and surprising things in his talk.

Many of the customs of the traditional twelve days of Christmas are detailed, including putting up the decorations, bringing in the yule log, preparing the Christmas day feast, plus the curious ‘Mummer’s Play’ entertainment. There’s a Christmas tale or two along the way, including a mysterious incident during the great snowstorm of 1881, plus how in 1939, the snow at Burwash was not the usual colour!

Chris Horlock is an expert on Sussex folklore and folk history, and a collector of old photographs. He writes regularly for Sussex Life, has published a number of books and is an accomplished speaker.

Skating on Falmer pond c.1908

To access this talk, you need to register your intention some days in advance: Click to Register

There is no charge for this talk.

After registering and well before the talk, we will send you a confirmation email containing information about how to join the webinar itself.

Please join the webinar at 7:20pm.

We would recommend a computer screen or an iPad as a minimum screen-size for viewing our webinars.

Our presenters will be speaking live, and you can ask questions by typing in the Q&A box in Zoom.

See the Talks page for a list of  forthcoming monthly events organised by the Lewes History Group.

This new book edited by Diana Wilkins, and launched to mark Equal Pay Day, tells the stories of 100 inspiring Lewes women who have made a difference to our community. They include women who successfully campaigned to change the way we vote, and women who succeeded in science, business and the arts.

The book also highlights the hopes of today’s generation. In 2019, a hundred girls from local schools were invited by mayor Janet Baah to speak directly about their concerns and aspirations. We hear about the changes the rising generation want to see over the coming decade.

You can order the book via the Contact page of the vote100lewes website, (£8.50 inc p&p, 88 pages A5 perfect bound). The book will also be on sale at Lewes Tourist Office when open and at Lewes Football Club shop on match days.

Download a free pdf of the book

Photo © Edward Reeves Photography, Lewes

A Lewes Archaeological Group talk on Zoom

Sue Berry: The evolving parish churches of Lewes – the impact of changes in worship on our ancient churches c.1600- 1914

The Reformation began a revolution in how we worshipped in parish churches which impacted on how they were arranged internally. Most had galleries built inside which resulted in windows and staircases being inserted into the building.  Long sermons became the main feature of services and chancels fell out of use other than for pews. All Saints was given a nave designed to take galleries and became the first ‘preaching box church’ designed for the sermon based service, followed by St John’s sub Castro. Then it was change again as Anglo-Catholicism and other influences changed ritual in the 1800s. Chancels were brought back into use and added to the churches now without them such as All Saints. The interiors were reorganised again and we see the impact on the exteriors.

This talk will explore the story of our parish churches to 1914 using watercolours, prints and other resources. Much of what was done during the later 1800s can still be seen. The prints and watercolours and plans show us churches before the Victorians began their overhauls.  You can go and see much of what is described today.

You’ll need to register in advance as numbers are limited to 100 people by our Zoom subscription – if you haven’t registered already please click on the link below to do so:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYud-CgrzMpHdbJ3_8HGQOfIGxps-a9RfHV

After registering, you will receive an automated confirmation email containing your personal link for joining the meeting and reminders nearer the time. Please don’t reply to these, but contact Anne Locke on anne.locke@talktalk.net if you have any queries. The email will include a link at the bottom for you to cancel if you are subsequently unable to attend.

The meeting open from 7.15pm: please join early if you would like any technical help.