February 2018
Exclusive Interview with Cressida Cowell Nymans & The Messel Family The High Weald © Hugh Clark, F.R.P.S.
LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY & COMMUNITY NEWS Call 01342 300152 to advertise • Support your local businesses
Warren Drive Residential Home
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THE RACE IS ON! A one-day Crazy Jeans Soapbox Race extravaganza to raise funds for local charities Hospice in the Weald and Ellenor is taking place on May 5th. This exhilarating family fun day takes place in the picturesque Dunrolan Park Tunbridge Wells and will pit the areas most competitive drivers against each other. Fifty soapbox carts each sponsored and manned by local businesses and community groups will go head to head in a day of races. A smaller inter-schools competition for 16-18 year olds will be held on the morning of the event, which is set to be one of the biggest events of its kind, with up to 10,000 spectators expected. As well as securing a celebrity commentator and prize-giving ceremony for race day, Crazy Jean’s will also be hosting a music stage, food village, children’s entertainment with inflatables, zip wire and an awe-inspiring supercar display. TV chef Rosemary Shrager was one of over 100 VIPs to turn out for the official launch of the Crazy Jean's cart race. Rosemary said: "I usually see these races on TV and I love them - with all the haystacks exploding and wheels coming off, they are such fun and I can't wait to see this event.
©Rose Banbridge
"I do a lot of charity events but one thing about them is that it's very hard to raise money for charity, especially with so many of them, but to get a community like this together, all coming together for two such great causes is major.
businesses and community groups together for one big, amazing event that will really bring a bit of healthy and fun competition to Tunbridge Wells. “The Hospice in the Weald is close to my heart after they looked after my mum Jean before she died and Ellenor provides hospice care at home for babies and children - previously called ChYPS who I’ve been fundraising for many years. They are both dear to my heart and are important charities.”
There is going to be a real buzz about this, I'm so honoured to be a part of it." The day will culminate in a Grand Final with the four fastest teams in both the school and main races going head to head to find the ultimate Crazy Jean’s Winner. The race is the brainchild of Tunbridge Wells entrepreneur Garry Jeffery of Jean’s Kitchen and Wine Bar, he explained: “I’ve always wanted to do a cart race in Tunbridge Wells and while we’ve got close to it before, the timing is great right now. The famous carnival that was much-loved in the town is long gone and I really wanted to bring all the
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On the day itself, the soapbox teams will compete in time trial runs of the track, starting close to the top car park, near the café and finishing by the boat hut at the water’s edge. For more information, to sign a team up or for sponsorship opportunities please see www. crazyjeansevents.com or email hello@chattyhatter. com. Enquiries: 01342 300152
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Dear Residents,
Whats inside this month
Welcome to our February Issue! This month we are hugely Mesolithic honoured to be able to bring you an exclusive interview for the Ashdown Forest Living and our sister publication the East Grinstead Living with world famous author of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ series, Cressida Cowell. Ms. Cowell is attending the Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival in May and although it’s slightly out of the Ashdown Forest area, we thought you would like it.
Interview with Cressida Cowell
In association with the High Weald AONB we are also bringing you a fascinating history of the very landscape and humans first interactions with land & beast in this area. We start with two installments this month and will Produced by the High Weald AONB Partnership Illustrator Alan Marshall continue it in the next issue. The History of the High Weald
Nymans and the Messel family
www.highweald.org
The race is on!
Last month’s Chisel & Mouse competition was a huge hit with many many entries. Thank you all, the winner will be informed shortly! Please support our local businesses this February, and please don’t forget to mention us when you call - Thank you! All the best for a lovely February.
February Meaderings
Pooh & friends defend England
Tally & Chris Ashdown Forest Living To advertise call 01342 300152 info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk www.ashdownforestliving.co.uk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
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Ashdown Forest Living Notice: Ashdown Forest Living prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in Ashdown Forest Living, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. © Copyright Ashdown Forest Living 2018. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission. Visit: w w w.ashdownforestliving.co.uk Please mention us when responding to adverts
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Salt-baked pineapple and goats’ cheese By Head Chef Byron Hayter at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club
Ingredients Pineapple • 1 pineapple • 300g of salt Goats’ Cheese • 500g goats’ cheese • 25ml double cream Dressing • 100g chopped peanuts • 50g red pepper, thinly sliced • 150ml rapeseed oil
Method: 1. Start by pre-heating the oven to 180°. Pour the salt onto a baking tray and place the whole pineapple on top, then bake for one hour and leave to cool. 2. Add the goats’ cheese and double cream to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric whisk until well combined. Spoon this mixture into a piping bag
and chill in the fridge. 3. Once the pineapple has cooled, peel using a sharp knife, remove the core from the middle and cut into cubes. 4. To make the dressing, toast the peanuts in a dry frying pan and then crush. Add the sliced red peppers and rapeseed oil and stir to combine. 5. To plate, arrange cubes of pineapple in the centre of the
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plate, pipe dots of the goats’ cheese mixture around them, and then drizzle the dressing over the top.
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01342 313886
Nymans and the Messel Family
In 1890, Ludwig Messel a German émigré of Jewish descent bought Nymans estate in the Sussex High Weald. Seeking to make his fortune as a banker in London, in 1873 he founded stockbroking company, L Messel & Co. Nymans was his dream family home, a short commute from London, and a place where he, his wife and their six children, spent time relaxing with friends and family. Here Ludwig indulged his passion for collecting art and antiques and invited leading artists and musicians of the day to visit and spend time in the garden. This included W.S Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame and ‘Punch’ cartoonist Linley Sambourne. Ludwig’s son Leonard went on to marry Maud, Linley Sambourne’s daughter and so began the family’s enduring
involvement connections with creative gardening and artistic circles. Ludwig’s love of gardening grew and he saw it as a means of integrating with local society families. He became friendly with families at neighbouring estates at High Beeches, Borde Hill and Leonardslee. With the knowledge and assistance of his Head Gardener, James Comber, Ludwig’s garden at Nymans became one of the Great Gardens of Sussex. By the start of the First World War Ludwig’s health began to deteriorate. He suffered from depression, due in part to the growing anti-German feeling in Britain. He died in 1915 with a broken heart, torn between feelings of loyalty to both his homeland and his newfound home in England. His daughter Muriel, the
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youngest of Ludwig’s children, was his constant companion towards the end of his life. Her keen horticultural knowledge was encouraged by both Ludwig and James Comber. As Ludwig’s health became more fragile, it was Muriel who took over the management of the garden. Tragically she
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NYMANS AND THE MESSEL FAMILY CONTINUED
still referred to today. Following Ludwig’s death in 1915, his son Leonard inherited the estate. His wife Maud set about transforming the rather Germanic style of house, while Leonard lavished money on expanding the garden’s plant collections. As part of her creative and romantic nature, Maud aspired to be an artist and had several illustrations published in children’s books before her marriage. A skilled seamstress, she established the Nymans Needlework Guild giving employment to local women for supplementary income.
only survived her father’s death in 1915 by three years, falling victim to Spanish flu in 1918. Her legacy was her contribution to ‘A Garden Flora’. This was the definitive work on the garden at Nymans, listing each and every plant that grew there, numbering over 2,000 entries. With an introduction by William Robinson at nearby Gravetye Manor and illustrations by Victorian watercolourist, Alfred Parsons, the book forms an important record for the garden that is
Leonard and Maud’s daughter Anne was one of the beauties of her generation. As a young woman in the 1920s, Anne was part of the ‘Bright Young Things’ social set and was often pictured in society magazines and newspapers. Anne married firstly Ronald Armstrong –Jones and in 1930 gave birth to Antony, Lord Snowdon. Lord Snowdon married Princess Margaret and was one of the country’s leading photographers. Her second marriage, following divorce from Ronald, was to Michael, 6th Earl of Rosse, and she moved to Birr Castle in Ireland for the duration of her marriage until Michael’s death in 1979. Anne herself was a gifted seamstress with a keen sense
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of heritage and preserving the past. She was also instrumental in setting up the Victorian Society in 1958. Anne’s brother Oliver was one of the most original stage and costume designers of his day with his work much in demand through the 1930s. Working on films such as ‘Caesar and Cleopatra', starring Vivien Leigh and on ballets such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for the Royal Opera House, he was much in demand both at work and play. He moved to Barbados in 1966 for health reasons where he turned his hand to architecture, designing a number of stunning beach houses for the rich and famous. An exhibition of his portraiture is currently on display in the gallery at Nymans until 3 June 2018.
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NYMANS AND THE MESSEL FAMILY CONTINUED
exhibition is a celebration of Oliver’s lesser known talent. Saturday 20th Jan - Sunday 3rd June, 11am - 3:30pm – last entry 30 mins before closing.
The house as you see it today is very much how it would have been when Anne lived at Nymans during the 1980s. In 1947 the house had fallen victim to a terrible fire which ravaged the house only 19 years after building had finished. With rationing and restrictions on building materials still in place after the end of the Second World War, it was simply impossible for the family to rebuild. What survived of the house was made safe for the family to use as a base when visiting the magnificent garden. Lord and Lady Rosse would visit here often and Anne moved back permanently in 1979, living here until her death in 1992. Plans are currently afoot to open the ruins to visitors and you can read more about the project and how to get involved on the Nymans website. As you’d imagine a project of this scale costs a huge amount of money. As a charity the National Trust receives no statutory funding and relies on supporters’ generosity. You can help fund this and other projects at Nymans by buying a £1 raffle ticket when you visit, purchasing a book from the second- hand bookshop or making a donation. Visit Nymans: open every day (except Christmas Eve and Boxing Day). 11am until 5pm (4pm in winter). Please check
Family trail: Frames of fun: Half term fun for families. Imagine the garden is a gallery, but we’ve removed the pictures from their frames. Look through the frame at the winter view or use it to create your own modern day portrait - the selfie. How many different frames can you spot throughout the garden? £1 per trail, normal admission applies. Saturday 20th Janurary - Sunday 25th March. website for admissions and opening arrangements.
Exhibition: Oliver Messel portraits: This exhibition features a varied selection of Oliver Messel’s portraiture. Widely revered for his ground-breaking theatre design, Oliver Messel was also a prolific portrait painter. His subjects included famous friends, family and the local people he met while living in Barbados. Featuring portraits and sketches from Nymans’ own archive and items kindly loaned by members of the Messel family, the Rupert Maas Gallery and the Bristol Theatre Archive, the
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Exhibition: The Triumph of Hope: ‘I think that the garden may fitly be described as the triumph of hope...’ One hundred years since the publication of ‘A Garden Flora’ by Muriel Messel, Nymans summer exhibition will explore the lives of three women who influenced the garden’s design. Focussing on their creative legacy, and the social circles within which they moved, we show each of their unique contributions to the development of this wellknown garden. Saturday 16th June – Sunday 28th October. 11am – 5pm (gallery closes 3:30pm). Enquiries: 01342 300152
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INTERVIEW
International Best-Selling Author
CRESSIDA COWELL We are very proud to be bring you a Question and Answer with Cressida Cowell, bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Her bestselling books have been turned into internationally acclaimed hit animation films by Dreamworks. Cressida will be taking part in the exciting Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival later on this year. The castle itself sits just north of the Ashdown Forest, not far from Hever, and is well worth a visit any time of year. Many details of the festival appear at the end of this feature. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this Q&A as much as we did:
What was your greatest inspiration for writing the How to Train Your Dragon series? The ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ books were inspired by the summers I spent as a child on a tiny, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. The island had no roads, houses or electricity, and I used to imagine that there were dragons living in the caves in the cliffs. By the time I was eight, my family had built a small stone house on the island and from then
on, every year we spent four weeks of the summer and two weeks of the spring on the island. The house was lit by candle-light, and there was no telephone or television, so I spent a lot of time drawing and writing stories. In the evening, my father told us tales of the vikings who invaded this island archipelago twelve hundred years before, of
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the quarrelsome tribes who fought and tricked each other, and of the legends of dragons who were supposed to live in the caves in the cliffs… I always tell children that stories that began in my head age 9 inspired 12 books and 2 (soon to be 3) DreamWorks films. Continues over the page. Enquiries: 01342 300152 Please mention us when responding to adverts
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CRESSIDA COWELL CONTINUED
they are huge amounts of hard work, especially because I do the illustrations as well.
Did you imagine the acclaim it received? How did you initially celebrate? I definitely did not expect it to be such a success. I actually think that’s a good thing, because if I had known, it would have been a much more pressured creative process! I am very lucky that the books have connected with so many people. A lot of the themes of How to Train Your Dragon are universal: growing up; your relationship with your parents or your children; what makes a good leader; protecting the natural world. I have had launch parties over the years to celebrate, but the sad truth is that usually you go straight onto the next book, because you want to make sure it’s even better than the last.
How did it go from book to film and what was your reaction to the huge hit animation it became? Dreamworks Animation approached my agent and it was very much out of the blue and a surprise. The book was published in the US but it was a British book so I wasn’t really expecting any film interest. I had actually turned down a couple of offers, because if it's based on something that's very close to your heart like these books were, it isn't completely easy
to have it optioned. It needed to be something rather special to make it worth the risk. My belief in DreamWorks has been repaid a million times over – they are a truly wonderful collaborative team with astonishing creative vision. I LOVE the films because they embody the spirit of the books, and what I was trying to achieve. Most importantly, they move you. They make you laugh, and cry and think.
During your career what do you see as your greatest achievement thus far? This is a tricky question because there are all sorts of achievements as an author. There’s the achievement of having your book published at all at the beginning of your career – and I still feel an enormous achievement in finishing each book, because
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Last year I had two big achievements: The Wizards of Once was my first book to go into the chart at number one, which was truly wonderful. I also won the Ruth Rendell Award for Services to Literacy, which I am very proud of, because I see promoting the joy of reading and the necessity of literacy as the cornerstone of my life as a children’s author. It’s worth saying though that I achieve as part of a team. I have an editor, designer, marketing and PR team – all of whom are crucial.
What is the 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' that makes a truly great writer do you think? It wouldn’t be 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' if we all knew it. I always say that a writing hero needs three things: innocence, arrogance and patience. There is no magic answer, there is only writing with heart, and although I think a lot about the children reading, I also write mostly for myself, because if you can’t please yourself first, you won’t be able to please anyone else either.
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CRESSIDA COWELL CONTINUED
The great writers are the ones who move you, I think, whether that’s laughing or crying.
What is the most challenging aspect to being an author and in particular a children's author? Time. As a children’s author you are always conscious of readers growing up on you, so you have to make sure you keep up with the writing, and I illustrate the books as well. That has to be balanced with events, doing interviews like this, and of course my family.
Who is your favourite author in terms of inspiration? So many. I loved fantasy authors like Diana Wynne Jones; Ursula Le Guin; Tolkien and Lloyd Alexander. My favourite book as a child was ‘The Ogre Downstairs’ by
children to read for pleasure. How are children with no books in the home – and increasingly not enough in schools – meant to become readers with no libraries? There’s a tendency among people who do not use them to think that no one else uses them, or needs them, but that’s absolutely untrue, as the figures show. We NEED children to read for pleasure for many, many reasons. They do better academically, but there’s also a link between reading for pleasure and how well you do economically as an adult – and that crosses all socio-economic backgrounds. Reading for pleasure helps you develop empathy. Libraries are one of the few public spaces you can be in without spending money.
Diana Wynne Jones. I loved this book so much that I read it to my younger brother and sister, to my little cousins – to anyone who would listen! It has a wicked stepfather, and chemicals that make you fly, and turn you invisible, and bring your toys to life. My children loved it as much as I did thirty years before.
Who is your very favourite character from your stories and why? Probably Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon and Xar and Wish in The Wizards of Once. There’s some of me in all of them.
You've been supporting keeping libraries open, why is this important and what do you think could turn this around?
We need everyone with a voice to advocate for the value of libraries, whether you use them on a regular basis, or not.
Libraries with trained librarians are vital for social mobility, and to encourage
Chiddingstone Castle will host another incredible Literary Festival, Sunday 6th May - Tuesday 8th May 2018, with a brand new line-up of authors, illustrators, poets and children’s performers.
SUNDAY 6TH MAY Adult Day Ian Rankin – the UK’s no.1 bestselling crime writer will talk to Jake Kerridge, crime reviewer for the Daily Telegraph, about the inspiration behind his Rebus novels. Anna Pasternak – author of Lara: The Untold Love Story that Inspired Dr Zhivago will talk about her great uncle Boris Pasternak and his remarkable life with its many parallels in his writing. John Sutherland
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CRESSIDA COWELL CONTINUED
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 7TH MAY Family Day
– author of Blue: Keeping the Peace and Falling Apart and a Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police will be in conversation with Erwin. Anne de Courcy – author of The Fishing Fleet, The Viceroy’s Daughters and other social history/biographies will talk about her latest book The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and New York, at the end of the 19th century beginning of the 20th. Think Downtown Abbey. Sam Leith – literary editor of The Spectator (author of Write to the Point) will talk about persuasive writing and the importance of grammar. He will then deliver a workshop for people to produce their own. Eddie Armer – experienced artist, will lead 3 classes in life drawing throughout the day in the Streatfeild Room. PLUS more!
Kate Mosse – the bestselling author of Labyrinth will be discussing her new historical novel The Burning Chambers set in 16th century France with local author Deborah Lawrenson. Evan Davis – BBC2’s Newsnight anchor will discuss his book PostTruth: Why We Have Reached Peak Bullshit and What We Can Do About It, alongside current political events with Channel 5 News presenter Andy Bell. Leigh Ladies Choir – will perform for the first time, a choral piece specially written for them. Pericles Theatre Company will return with a musical performance for all the family in the orangery based on a traditional Romanian fairy tale. Lauren Child – the new Children’s Laureate will talk about writing and illustrating her prize-winning children’s books including Charlie & Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort. David Melling – author of Hugless Douglas and many other children’s books will read, draw and entertain 3-5yr olds. Aardman Animations – creators of Wallace and Gromit, Sean the Sheep and their forthcoming film Early Man (Jan 2018) will hold 3 modelling workshops throughout our Family Day.
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Scoop Magazine – workshop for children aged 7+ on How to make a Magazine with the founder of the beautiful children’s magazine Scoop. PLUS more!
TUESDAY 8TH MAY – Schools Day Cressida Cowell – the hugely popular no. 1 best-selling author of How to Train Your Dragon will talk about her new series for children The Wizards of Once. Really Big Pants Theatre Company – return with Plundered! An exciting new performance with pirates, puppets and audience participation. Guy Bass and illustrator Pete Williamson – creators of the Stitch Head series for children will perform an entertaining double act with live drawing.
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CRESSIDA COWELL CONTINUED
Philip Ardagh – local author of over 100 books will talk about his new Secret Diary series, which combine history and humour, as told by Jane Pinny, Victorian Housemaid and John Drawbridge Medieval Knight in Training. Perfect for a festival in a castle! PLUS more. For more information and to buy tickets please see: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/literary-festival-2018 Chiddingstone Castle, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7AD
Crowborough Lions: February Update simple idea designed to encourage people to keep their personal and medical details on a standard form and in a common location – the fridge. The bottle is kept in the fridge, where the emergency services will be able to find it in the event of being called to your home. Anyone can fall downstairs, so this scheme can benefit everyone, including you. As a minimum, it will save the emergency services valuable time identifying you and your emergency contacts. By telling whether you have special medication or allergies or not, it is a potential lifesaver and provides peace of mind to users and their friends and families.
Crowborough and District Lions have recently provided Lifeskills Resources to two local schools. These are teaching aids for Primary Schools and are ‘I Am I Know I Can’, specifically written for PSHE Education and ‘Life Changes’ which is to help teachers deal with the difficult situation of children who have break-ups or bereavements in their families.
Bottles are free of charge and can usually be found in your local chemist or doctors’ surgeries. ‘The Big Quiz’ is back Returning for a fourth successive year after three previous sell-outs the ‘Big Quiz’ will be held on Saturday 10th March at 7:30pm in Crowborough Community Centre. Big prizes are on offer for teams of up to eight people who will be able to enjoy a ploughman’s platter supper included in the ticket price of £10 and there is also a licensed bar. For tickets and all enquiries please contact: info@crowlions.org.uk.
In the photo, Lisa Birchard of Ashdown Primary School, Crowborough receiving the “I Am I Know I Can” and “Life Changes” resources from Lion’s President Hilary Lyon and Lion Robin Streatfield. Message in a Bottle The Lions’ ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme is a
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ried treasure
d was ard is a together. ecauseIn association with the High Weald AONB we are pleased an giveto us be able to bring you here a hundreds, history of human habitation in
The History of the High Weald
the special landscape in which we live - The High Weald starting from its very beginnings, e which you will find in this alised at February issue (please note that the High AONB hold the thought copyright for this material).
wn. It is e solid t from e British ed to
Mountfield Barrows Axes, arrowhead and flints
Barrows (burial mounds) and other artefacts have been found scattered across the High Weald. There is little evidence of Bronze Age use of the area compared to areas such as the Downs which were heavily populated in the Bronze Age. bone pins. You can see the bracelet from the Mountfield Hoard at the At that time the general British Museum.
MESOLITHIC, C. 8000BC - 4500BC
Mesolithic
climate saw sea levels and
View Bronze Age artefacts at: temperatures rising with a Hastings Old Town Hall Museum; Tunbridge Museum resultant wetter,Wells yet milder
hings you like in a
climate. More online: www.ashdownforest.org/enjoy/history/archaeology.php The rocky outcrops which mark the High Weald area in which we live were used as shelters by these early hunter-gatherers. They may have even used them as ‘markers’ to find their way Ask your adult to cut the toilet roll half (so you across thein wooded landscape. Illustrator Alan Marshall www.highweald.org Further to that they possibly have two wide rings) then to cut all the way had a special meaning (a wild pig birds. Other food along theand diagonal join on each. symbolic role) for these sources came from trees and original shrubs providing Tear your strips berries, of newspaper intodwellers. short lengths.
nze Age bracelet/wrist guard (or two)
ma
Produced by the High Weald AONB Partnership
The High Weald’s first inhabitants were huntergatherers who used the Weald for hunting, fishing trips and gathering food. Wood combined with very small flint flakes known as microliths were used to make c paint,weapons and tools such as arrows, spears, harpoons, d scrapers and saws. The game of the area included aurochs (wild cow), red deer, roe deer,
aint
honey nuts. On the area’s Mix theand PVA and water (3 parts PVA tohigher 1 part sandstone ridges, where the water). These hunter-gathers moved seasonally into the Weald,
soils are drier and less fertile,
trees couldn't grow well and Start glueing strips inside and folding oftenby returning to the sameon the the woodland was therefore them to the front place;over preferring areas withat the top and bottom more open, this is where dry picture, soils close left). to springs, (see They don’t needwhere to meet on 'heaths' created, rivers and wetland for fishing. the outside. They wore clothing made of
Continues over the page. fur andthe hides stitched using Cover front using smaller pieces overlapping each other slightly. Try to keep theE nedges neat. quiries: 01342 300152 26 Please mention when responding to adverts Tuck over to the inside where youusneed to. Leave to dry, slightly bending the bracelet back into
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THE HISTORY OF THE HIGH WEALD CONTINUED
which of course still remains a major component of the Ashdown Forest today.
deciduous woodland of lime, elm, oak, alder, hazel and later ash.
Woodland did cover much of the landscape: pine, birch and juniper tree species were slowly being replaced by
Rivers and streams were used by these early settlers to move through the area. At that time fish was a very
important local food source. Tracks through the thick foliage were being created by woodland animals, this made it easier for the hunter-gatherers to travel across the area by land, as an alternative to the waterways.
THE NEOLITHIC, C. 4500-2500 BC Neolithic
Produced by the High Weald AONB Partnership
Illustrator Alan Marshall
The Neolithic age c. 4500-2500 BC sees the arrival of agriculture into Britain, together with the introduction of pottery and polished stone tools. For many years archaeologists have been uncertain whether the change to the Neolithic society involved large scale migrations from Europe or the introduction of crops, domestication of animals and new ideas through trade and other forms of contact. It is now becoming evident that
www.highweald.org
there are greater similarities than formerly thought between pottery, stone tools and particularly animal bones in the Middle Neolithic era of northern France and the Early Neolithic era of Britain. The sudden increase in population and dramatic economic and social change at the start of the Neolithic era is now seen by a number of archaeologists as best explained by a large influx of farmers from mainland Europe. Hunter-gatherers were
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starting to cut down trees to create more open areas for settlement and hunting, creating clearings to make it easier to attract, see and kill large herbivores. This was also the beginning of using weighted nets for fishing. Flint knapping was being used to create stone tools and of course the beginnings of pottery production occurred at this time. There were even some permanent settlements with large and rectangular buildings. Wild animals started to be tamed for the first time, mainly pigs (from wild boar), occasionally cattle (from aurochs - wild cows) and dogs (from wolves). Pens were in turn built for the tamed animals; dogs started to be used to assist with hunting. Occasionally in the flatter, more open areas limited crops were grown. Evidence of the Neolithic period on the South Downs, Continues over the page. Enquiries: 01342 300152 Please mention us when responding to adverts
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THE HISTORY OF THE HIGH WEALD CONTINUED
just south of the High Weald, is dominated by communal monuments, the causewayed enclosures (large ditched enclosures with many gaps in the banks and ditches), long barrows (mounds of chalk covering the bones of ancestors) and flint mines together with finds of pottery, spreads of flint tools and waste, pits and polished stone tools. If migrants entered Sussex, the Downs are where they are most likely to have settled and farmed initially. Early farming was, however, always a somewhat precarious way to provide food involving battles with the weather, pests and soil erosion. Therefore hunting and collecting wild plants remained important ways to obtain food throughout the Neolithic age. As far as we are currently aware the Weald Forest Ridge (The High Weald) has no communal monuments in the form of causewayed enclosures, long barrows or flint mines. There are, however, a number of finds of stone axes, spreads of flint tools and waste and a little Neolithic pottery. It is likely that hunting and ways of collecting wild food that developed in the earlier Mesolithic continued throughout the Neolithic age. Indeed both the rock shelters with Neolithic pottery finds and most of the flint tool scatters are sites also
occupied in the Mesolithic age. Both the rock shelter sites and the streamside flint scatters could be part of a long established strategy for observing and hunting migrating herds of animals. The rock shelters at High Rocks, near Tunbridge Wells, were excavated by James Money but were found to have been disturbed with late Mesolithic flintwork in the same layers as Neolithic pottery. Pollen from plants which grew near the rock shelters in the past indicated continuous woodland conditions now dominated by oak but with some birch, yew, hazel and beech. No evidence of widespread clearance was found yet. Round based Neolithic pottery from the site was dated to about 3320 BC. Two leaf shaped arrowheads and a scraper were also found. This low density of pottery and flintwork suggests it was used as a temporary woodland hunting camp, and not a permanent dwelling.
eight year period, 1966-74. This survey was particularly important as it suggests that similar densities of flintwork could be found across the full span of the ridge. C.F.Tebbutt found some thirty sites with Neolithic flintwork, with the highest densities being along the waterways connected to the Medway River at Brambletye Farm. All these scatters of flint tools and waste flakes are fairly small but are important in their location. Tebbutt noted they had long views "needed to watch wild animals and domestic herds�. One suspects that these open sites functioned with the rock shelters in hunting strategies. These strategies all suggest a continuation of Mesolithic hunting practices throughout the Neolithic period. This series will continue in the next issue.
A recent (2009) excavation of a rock shelter at West Hoathly (Chiddinglye Wood Rocks) by Karine Le Hegarat produced a somewhat similar picture. Although surface scatters of Neolithic flint work have been found widely distributed across the entire Weald Forest Ridge the concentration in the Forest Row area is notable, being discovered by C.F.Tebbutt during an
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Pooh & friends defend England In celebration of the Bayeux Tapestry heading back to the land where it was made nearly ten centuries ago (at least, that’s where most historians believe it was made!). We've come across this very lovely, one off original artwork by EH Shepard, illustrator of Winnie-the-Pooh. The piece was reproduced on a Pooh promotional swag bag years ago. In this droll piece Winnie, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Owl and Rabbitt are pictured defending England against the fierce Norman invaders in the style of the Bayeaux Tapestry; the original of which we trust will soon be on British soil for all to view. (With thanks to the late Larry Jonas for the original image).
Quick Quiz
Anwsers on page 38
Sudoku
1. In which English county was Sir Winston Churchill born? 2. Which metal is usually mixed with silver to form sterling silver? 3. The work of architect Antoni Gaudi is mostly associated with which city? 4. Which sort of birds are associated with the Tower of London? 5. What is the English translation of the French word oeuf? (Hint: it's a food item) 6. A Haiku is a very short form of Japanese what? 7. The palace and main residence of English monarchs in London, from 1530 until 1698, gives its name to which well known London road? 8. In which year was Concorde first flown? 9. Name all six characters who represent the players in an original game of ‘Cluedo’. 10. How many players are there on a curling team?
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FEBRUARY MEANDERINGS LOCAL HISTORY NOTES
by Dorothy Hatswell of the East Grinstead Museum
“February, fill the dyke with what thou dost like.” - Thomas Tusser that winter would turn into spring. Snowdrops are sometimes called Candlemas bells and they most often first appear in February.
This is, perhaps, the best known saying about the month of February. It comes before the March winds and April showers which, as we all know, are responsible for the May flowers.
There are also many sayings about the February weather:
February, now, the second month in the Gregorian Calendar, was only added to the calendar after some years when the winter months were considered to be a monthless period. It had at times only 23 or 24 days but sometimes 27. It was standardised at 28 days, with the added day to bring the calendar back in line with the astronomical time, every four years. It was considered the ending of winter and the beginning of the spring. The name comes from “februum”, the Latin for purification. It was the month when Mary, the mother of Jesus would have gone to the temple to be purified and have the baby baptised.
“If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.” “If February give much snow, a fine Summer it doth foreshow.” “When the cat lies in the sun in February, She will creep behind the stove in March.” “Of all the months of the years, curse a fair February.” Some important days fall in this month. Valentine’s Day on the 14th, has a host of meanings associated with it. In Sussex, the day was sometimes called the Bird’s Wedding, as it was thought to be the day on which birds mated. Chaucer wrote:
Those born on February 29th mostly celebrate on the 28th or March 1st. In non-leap years, others prefer to only have a birthday every fourth year. This idea was exploited in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance”.
“For this was seynt on Volantynys day, Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” It is also the day on which women can propose marriage. It is said that St. Bridget petitioned St. Patrick to allow women a more active role in choosing their husbands. His solution was to give them the right to propose on February 29th. In Scotland it was once unlawful for a man to refuse such a proposal and could be given a large fine if he did so. Superstitions arose, one was that a woman will marry the first man she sees on Valentine’s Day. Others predict her future spouse by the sighting of particular birds. If the first bird is a robin, she will marry a sailor. If it is a sparrow her husband
Frederic, was apprenticed to a pirate by his hard of hearing nursemaid, Ruth. On attaining the age of twenty-one, Frederic tries to leave the pirate band but they do not want to lose him and reveal that the contract stipulates that he must stay until his twenty-first birthday. Having been born on Leap Year Day he has had only five by that time. When Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they gave up hope that the cold winters would ever end. An angel appeared to them and turned some snowflakes into snowdrops and showed them
Continues over the page.
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35
FEBRUARY MEANDERINGS CONTINUED
will be poor but they will be happy. Goldfinches predict a rich man.
the country. The ringing of the church bells signalled the start and finish of the match. Skipping was also popular. Usually the women took part in this. They would take a clothes line and stand in the street, with large numbers joining together in line. Men also joined in at times.
Shrove Tuesday also falls in February, but is a moveable feast, and is marked in different ways throughout the country. The pancake, designed to use up items in the larder before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, is universal. Pancake tossing races are quite usual. The best known is at Olney in Buckinghamshire. In East Grinstead, for several years a race was held in which local schools and businesses took part, in Queens Walk. Regions have their own variations. In Cornwall it is pea soup, quite why is difficult to understand.
The Scout and Guide movements chose February 22nd as “Thinking Day�, when they remember Lord and Lady Baden Powell, their founders. The day was the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell and his wife Olave Soames. It is a day when Scouts and Guides worldwide think of others and how they can help improve their lives, particularly in the developing world. It would be nice if we all could do the same.
A football game in which all the men of the village took part, using the whole area as the field of play is still practised in some parts of
THE ARTS SOCIETY ASHDOWN FOREST Interested in the arts and keen to learn more? Luckily the Arts Society Ashdown Forest (formerly Ashdown Forest Decorative and Fine Arts Society) meets on the second Thursday afternoon of every month between October and July at Crowborough Community Centre and could be the answer to your prayers.
day often includes lunch and a conducted tour to bring more insight into the building or displays. We also have Special Interest Days when we have two or three lectures on the same subject giving us the opportunity to really examine it in detail.
Lectures start at 2pm and are carefully planned to cater for a wide variety of interests, though the best thing is the serendipity of discovering something completely new!
All our lecturers are acknowledged experts in their field, many of whom appear on TV, but we are always looking for new ideas and love people to suggest topics or speakers to approach.
We finish at about 3.30pm after refreshments and a chance to catch up with other members or to talk in more detail with our lecturer.
Interested? Give us a try. Call our Membership Secretary on 01892 750329 or just come along unannounced - you will be very welcome! You can also email AFDFASnews@gmail.com for more information.
Two or three times a year we have coach trips to heritage properties or exhibitions that are difficult to access on public transport. The
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37
What’s On in February
If you would like your event on these pages email info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk for information
THURSDAY 8TH FEBRUARY The Arts Society Ashdown Forest. “Hidden Canvasses: Street Art and the City” is Doug Gillen’s guide to the biggest art movement since pop art and explores the key stages in street art’s growth, examining the different elements and styles that comprise the scene. From the international superstars to the local underground heroes you’re guaranteed to leave knowing your Invader from you Aryz. At 2pm, Crowborough Community Centre, TN6 1FE. THURSDAY 8TH FEBRUARY Mid Sussex Association National Trust Talk - The Beat Goes On by Neil Sadler 2:30pm, Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, RH16 3DN. THURSDAY 8TH FEBRUARY Groombridge History Group. Ian Gledhill delivers an illustrated talk on ‘The Story of the Crystal Palace’. First erected in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Crystal Palace was the largest iron and glass structure ever built. Come along and learn its story. 8pm, Groombridge Village Hall. SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY Take That Experience. Wowing audiences everywhere they go with their amazing vocals, stunning costumes and electrifying dance routines, they continue to successfully recreate the magic of Take That. With songs you know and love including smash hits ‘Pray’, ‘Relight My Fire’, ‘Patience’, ‘Shine’ and ‘These Days’. The band features a permanent ‘Robbie’ who brings alive songs such as ‘Angels’, ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Candy’. Tickets £15 (£14 over 60s), booking office: 01825 769694. At 7:30pm, Civic Centre Uckfield. WEDNESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY “Growing Fruit” a talk by Paul Templeton. Presented by Lindfield Horticultural Society. Paul Templeton has over 40 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist. He will be sharing his knowledge and tips for the best way to grow fruit and get the most from your plants. All welcome. £1 Members £3 visitors. At 8pm, King Edward Hall, Lindfield. THURSDAY 15TH FEBRUARY Groombridge Horticultural Society Evening Event Richard Ramsay of Withypitts Dahlia Farm speaks to us about dahlias and their propagation. Free for members or £3 for annual membership. Tea, coffee and biscuits served. 8pm, Groombridge Village Hall (New Hall). SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY The Tannahill Weavers. The Civic Centre Uckfield is host to one of Scotland’s premier traditional bands.
Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Tickets £12 Booking Office: 01825 769694. 8pm, Civic Centre Uckfield. SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY Penshurst Choral Society. Beethoven: Choral Fantasia Piano Solo - Jong Gyung Park, Dvorak: Mass in D, conductor: John Hargreaves with the Penshurst Choral Society Sinfonia. At 7:30pm, Holmewood House School, Jubilee Theatre, Barrow Lane, Langton Green. TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY Forest Row Ladies Who Latte. We’re delighted to invite you to Forest Row Ladies Who Latte women-only business networking group hosted by Java and Jazz restaurant. There are no speakers, agenda or meeting fees; you just turn up, pay for a tea or coffee and pastry, and network with fellow attendees. There’s no need to book ahead but please do join our facebook group and introduce yourself online.10 -12pm. TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY Poetry and Writing with Charlie Bell. Join us for a day with Charlie Bell exploring how writing can aid wellness and wellbeing - the workshop is about relaxing, being creative and having fun. Call 01892 865988 to find out more. At 9am - 4pm, Burrswood, Groombridge TN3 9PY. UCKFIELD LIBRARY CODE CLUB Get hands on with coding in the library! Code Club is a nationwide network of after school coding clubs for children aged 8 - 12 years old. Using specially created Code Club materials, the sessions are designed to build confidence and encourage creativity in 3 different coding languages. Each term has 12 projects for the children to work through, or you can work on your own project with the guidance of our volunteers. Attendance is free of charge, but places are limited. www.uckfieldcodeclub.eventbrite. co.uk or email code.clubs@eastsussex.gov.uk for more information. 4-5pm. Uckfield Library, 01273 481492.
Quiz Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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Oxfordshire Copper Barcelona Raven Egg Poetry Whitehall (from the Palace of Whitehall)
8. 1969 9. Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mrs White, Reverend Green, Mrs Peacock, Professor Plum 10. Four
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