A Zoom Webinar

Arthur Redmonds: Exploring the Medieval History and Archaeology of Lewes Castle

The January Lewes History Group talk will look at the medieval history and archaeology of Lewes Castle in a range of contexts to explore its relationship with Lewes, and the surrounding Sussex countryside. The talk will also explore how it might have impacted and influenced the everyday lives of people around it.

As part of a PhD at the Universities of Exeter and Cardiff, Arthur Redmonds has been exploring how the medieval castle influenced those who experienced them within their localities and landscapes. Lewes is one of his urban case studies, and it plays a central role in the history and making of modern day Lewes. The talk will explore the impact of the castle on everyday life in the town, and Redmonds will briefly touch on some of the many sources and methods we might use to look at the medieval castle.

This talk will start with a brief look at how medieval castles operated, who worked within their lands and the types of sites and landscapes we might associate with them, before contextualising Lewes within the story of other castles both within Sussex and nationally.

Next, we will explore a biography of the castle, with the influence on the town and countryside explored at each stage of its life. This will include its construction, occupation, and finally its decline and partial abandonment. Along the way, we will briefly touch on some of the more important historical events in which the castle played a part, including its role in the 1264 battle of Lewes and its assault by peasants during the 1381 peasants revolt.

The Barbican at Lewes Castle, Photochrome Company postcard

To join this talk, you need to:

1) register your intention to attend in advance
2) receive LHG’s confirmation email with a link to the talk itself. Save that email, and
3) click on that emailed link to attend the talk 5 minutes before it starts

Lewes History Group Members can attend our talks for free. We will send members emails with a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above. 

Non-members can buy a ticket (£4) from TicketSource. The ticket will provide a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above.

Please join the webinar at 7:25pm.

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.

 

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The Lewes Societies Fair is back! This is a great opportunity for the community – especially newcomers – to drop in and find out about the clubs and societies that operate in our area. Dozens of clubs, groups and societies, including Lewes History Group, and the Friends of Lewes will have stalls, and will show residents what they have to offer.

Come along and find out how you can get involved!

We thank Ruth O’Keeffe for reinstating and organising this event after a 3 year Covid gap.

Lewes Societies Fair, image from Facebook

 

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Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public, or charge for admission.

This year’s event in Lewes includes free access to 18 different buildings in Lewes, some with special tours. In addition, 7 different guided walks are to take place in the town with 10 start times to cater for high levels of interest.

Advance booking through Eventbrite is essential for some of these tours and walks.

Booking opens on 18^th of August 2023, and closes the day before the event.

Brochure, full details, and how to book your place for tours

An opportunity not to be missed!

Lewes 2023 Heritage Open Days leaflet

Click on image to enlarge for details of open buildings and walks

Lewes Heritage Open Days is organised by the Friends of Lewes

 

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Lewes Priory was once one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in the kingdom with as many as a hundred monks devoting their lives to prayer, while many of the townspeople of Lewes were employed by the Priory to grow and cook their food, tend their livestock, mill their flour, build and maintain their fine buildings and much else besides.

Following the success of last year’s sell-out tours, Lewes Priory Trust is once again running walking tours of the Priory ruins, and Southover Church, which houses the bones of William and Gundrada de Warenne who founded the Priory in the 11th century, and was once the guest house of the Priory.

The tours, led by a member of Lewes Priory Trust who is a professional guide, tells the story of the rise and fall of this magnificent Priory, which was such an important part of Lewes life for 450 years.

Booking is essential. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre, 187 High Street, Lewes, BN7 2DE. Tel 01273 483448.

 

 

Please click to enlarge the poster for more details, or visit the Priory Trust’s website

 

 

 

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A talk on Zoom

Marcus Taylor: Lewes Heritage Open Days 2023: a preview of some buildings opening this year

Heritage Open Days has been an annual series of national events since 1994. Friends of Lewes has been centrally involved in this annual celebration of our heritage for many years, taking on the primary responsibility for organising the weekend about 10 years ago.

This year offers a tempting selection: Lewes offers plenty to choose from and this year sees a mix of new places and long-standing favourites.

The programme, spread over 8th to 10th September, includes free access to 17 different buildings, some with special tours. In addition, six different guided walks will take place in the town with different start times to cater for high levels of interest. Some of the events are for limited numbers and require online booking, which is planned to open on August 18th.

Rusty House Lewes, image © Oast House Archive

This talk is free to members of the Friends of Lewes, and £4 to non-members. Non-members can buy a ticket (£4) from TicketSource, which will provide a link to register for this Zoom talk.

Members will receive an email with a link to Zoom registration.

Once you have registered, you will receive our confirmation email with a link to the talk. Please click on that link to attend the talk 5 minutes before it starts.

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

Our presenter will be speaking live, and you can ask questions by typing in the Chat box in Zoom.

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

 

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Become a Friend of Lewes

 

Events at the Lewes Climate Hub, Lewes House, 32 High Street, BN7 2LU

Throughout July, drop into Lewes Climate Hub to celebrate bees, bugs and butterflies in all their glory – including a special Garden Day on Saturday 22 July with activities in the beautiful gardens of Lewes House and School Hill Surgery, plus music and refreshments.

There will be activities for ALL the family:

• Drop into the Hub, Wednesday to Saturday, and learn all about bees, bugs and butterflies – and how to help them flourish,
• Draw or make a bee, bug or butterfly to add to our Mini-Beast Wall Montage in the Hub. Or knit a bumble bee to display in the Hub – download pattern here,
• Come for our special Garden Day on Saturday 22 July, with guided mini-safaris and pollinator counts in Lewes House and School Hill Surgery gardens – plus music and refreshments.

More details on this poster:

 

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A Live, in Person, Coffee Time talk at Eastgate Church Hall

Michael Richards: Conservation on the Farm

Michael Richards will talk about conservation on his farm near Laughton, an arable and beef enterprise where he is dedicated to improving both the soil and the infrastructure.

Beginning by explaining the classification of farmland in Great Britain, and how this impacts upon agriculture in the Lewes area, Michael will focus largely on organic soil enhancement and how this approach can help to solve current pollution problems, while at the same time reducing reliance on artificial fertilisers.

He will also show how modern cropping methods advance carbon sequestration and improve both soil structure and plant nutrient availability. Consideration will be given to the role played by hedgerow trees and woodland in carbon capture, and provision of timber required for farming and other purposes.

Michael will emphasize the advantage of keeping livestock as part of maintaining the ecological balance of the countryside, as well as providing food and other useful products.

Modern cultivation methods will be explained, and show how these play a part in reducing the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Venue: Baptist Church Hall, Eastgate Street, Lewes, BN7 2LR

Entry: This talk is free to members of the Friends of Lewes, and £4 to non-members.

If you would like to become a Member of FoL, and attend our talks free of charge, please find details on our Membership page.

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

 

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A talk on Zoom

Trevor Beattie: The Role of the South Downs National Park Authority

Trevor Beattie became the first permanent Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) in January 2012.

The South Downs National Park covers an area of over 1,600 km2 and is home to more than 117,000 people. The National Park Authority is responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park.

Working in partnership with Local Authorities and others, the Authority fosters the economic and social well-being of the communities within the National Park. The SDNPA is also the planning authority for the National Park.

This talk is free to members of the Friends of Lewes, and £4 to non-members. Non-members can buy a ticket (£4) from TicketSource, which will provide a link for this Zoom talk.

Our members will have received emails with this Zoom link on 27 May 2023.

If you would like to become a Member of FoL, and attend our talks free of charge, please find details on our Membership page.

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

 

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Here is a chance to climb the repaired spiral staircase up the church tower and see its much-loved 353-year old clock in action, striking twelve noon on the large bell dating from 1619.

The first-ever guided tours take place this summer, on the following Saturdays: 17 June, 1 and 22 July, 19 August, 2 and 30 September. Tours start at 11:30am and take about 45 minutes.

Book your slot now. Tickets £5 from Lewes Tourist Information Centre, in person or by phone (01273 483448) with credit or debit card.

Click image to enlarge

 

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Depot’s Climate Action! Festival returns for 2023, putting their annual spotlight on global and local efforts to address our climate and ecological crisis.

Through a diverse programme of events, films, and talks, they will embark upon an exploration of our impact on the Earth, with a focus on our carbon footprint, tourism, and transport. They will consider the steps we can take to rebalance the needs of humans with those of the natural world, as we orientate ourselves towards a more sustainable future.

Depot is proud to present satellite events with Lewes Climate Hub to extend the festival programme for three weekends of thought-provoking talks, displays and interactive sessions asking: What do we want travel and traffic in and around Lewes to look like by the end of the decade?

Satellite event: The Climate Hub’s Are we there yet? Imagining travel in Lewes 2030

This takes place on Saturday 17 June, Saturday 24 June, and Saturday 1 July 2023 (with displays available to view Wednesday-Friday).

Venue: Lewes Climate Hub, Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes BN7 2LX

Session topics will include:

• Saturday 17 June: What would get you out of your car?
• Saturday 24 June: Is there too much traffic in Lewes?
• Saturday 1 July: Lewes 2030: What should travel look like in our town?

Click to enlarge poster

Explore the full programme of satellite events at the Lewes Climate Hub website.

 

Image © Depot, Lewes

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