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Sun umbrella
George Herbert Broadley has continued to delve into various archives, census returns and deeds to discover more of the rich history of the family and the building. 34-40 High Street is an exceptional medieval building and was of considerable importance in the town at the time. It is one of the original burgages that constituted the borough of East Grinstead from its foundation in the 13th century. It is unlike any other building in the town, far larger/grander occupying a 4-rod plot rather than the normal two of most other burgages. The original owner it is thought was Sir Walter de la Lynde until his death when John Dallingridge assumed the title. They were prominent in the town enjoying privileges and were elected members of parliament. The family also owned Bodiam castle and interesting to note our building is at least 30 years older than the castle which was built in 1385.
The timber framed building needs to be considered in two distinct periods pre-1350, the Black Death during the reign of King Edward 3rd and then in the early 15th century with the construction of the cross wing. This cross-wing dates from 1410-1420 and was the result of a bequest from John Dallingridge. The frames of this timber framed medieval building (See fig 1overpage), roof and floors were prefabricated by a carpenter on the ground to ensure each piece would fit with the others and then transported and assembled on site to form the complete building. Some key beams are numbered in roman numerals and also have the carpenters’ marks. These frames were always two dimensional and our building is made up a series of such frames.
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The building is centred round the Great Open Hall and was built on a box frame with oak beam construction. Since the 15th century it has comprised of two open hall type structures from barely seasoned oak quite possibly ships timbers. The main range (part of a timber framed building) is 36-40 and no 34 being a range end onto the street of at least 4 bays over cellars cut into the natural
Fig. 2
rock. A bay is the distance between two pairs of principal posts. It is quite possible that there was a courtyard arrangement at the rear with the present building forming the front range. The great open hall (See fig 2 above) was open to the roof where smoke from the open hearth gradually found its way through gaps in the thatch which was the most common type of roofing material at that time. Though on this building it could well have originally had Horsham stone slabs which it still has today on the front. The fire was used to heat the hall, to cook the food suspended above it either in a cauldron or on a spit. Up in one of the attics you will find soot deposits on the roof timbers from decades of an open fire and is a firm clue of the existence of an open hall. Chimneys were inserted at a later date.
The Open Hall’s first floor was created in the late 16th or 17th century, though there is no specific evidence to date. It is thought a second floor/attics were added in the 18th century. There are various possibilities as to why it was built:
1. A fine house in traditional form parlour open hall and service quarter. Separate entrance for the servants and the merchants with a wagon way at the rear. 2. It could have been a merchant’s house with its impressive formal room at the front and private range at the back which has long since disappeared. 3. It could have been built as an inn with some accommodation at the rear
4. As a civic building or guildhall particularly as it has such a fine upper room in the cross wing. The spaces between the timbers (See fig 3 above) were originally filled with wattle made from woven sticks or split laths and sprung into place covered thickly with daub which was a mixture of clay, animal hair or straw and water. A coat of lime wash would probably have covered both the timber frame and infill on the outside. There are two cellars under the entire building, the rear part of which is cut out of the natural Ardingly sandstone which is about 137 million years old and was at the time of Iguanodons. It has long been thought that the last martyrs to be burnt at the stake as heretics in the High Street on Saturday 18th
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July 1556 were held here the night before. On the tour you will see the cellar and experience what it was like for the three martyrs, Anne Tree, Thomas Dungate and John Foreman. Over the past eighteen months further research has established that an Ironmongers business was here before Broadleys and the fact they lived in the upper floors. The two families associated with the building for the longest time were the Coopers and Steers. James Cooper’s family lived at 36-38 and William Steer at 34-38.
Ford Talbot. The Broadley family were one of the first to have a car in East Grinstead. From the Duke of Kent, in acknowledgment for services rendered for commemoration appeal The ‘wagon way’ at the east end of the building, is particularly high and gave access to the rear when in 17th century it was a rather grand hostelry called The Lyon and later renamed The Red Lion.
To the rear of the building were a series of 11 portlands - a portland is a long narrow strip of land for agriculture that were behind each building in the High Street paying rent of 3d for an area of 1/4to 1/2 an acre. They have long since disappeared.
Christmas at Standen
Until 2nd January • Standen, near East Grinstead 11am – 3:30pm house, 10am - 4pm grounds (closed 24 & 25 Dec), normal admission charge plus £3 per Pyjama Thief trail.
© Laurie Perry
This atmospheric house lends itself beautifully to Christmas. This year, Standen invites you to see how the Beale family celebrated Christmas in their country home. Visit the Christmas tree in the Courtyard which is inspired by William Morris’ designs and will get you in the festive spirit. Enjoy twilight openings when you can see the rooms lit for a Christmas celebration and afterwards listen to a local choir singing in the courtyard. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to see Santa and this year families can visit Santa’s woodland grotto and enjoy a magical Christmas story in the company of the man himself, complete with a small gift for the children and a hot chocolate. Continue your Christmas adventure outside in the garden and join the Pyjama Thief trail. The cheeky Standen dog has stolen everyone’s pyjamas and hidden them in the garden, help the Beale family find them in time for Christmas Day. For those looking for Christmas shopping inspiration, The Sussex Guild will be selling handcrafted items at a Christmas Selling Exhibition, daily throughout December. Please see our websites for full information.
Answers page Answers on page 10
1. What fruit is traditionally put inside a Christmas stocking?
2. Which city has been donating Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree to London every year since 1947?
3. In Elf, what’s the first rule in the Code of The Elves?
4. What type of tree is most commonly used for
Christmas trees?
5. What gift did Harry Potter receive from the Dursleys during his first Christmas at Hogwarts?
6. Which British monarch delivered the first ever
Christmas message?
7. Which character declares "Merry Christmas, one and all!" in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol?
8. In which children's classic is it 'always winter but never Christmas'?
9. Which group sang "Don't leave me alone like this, Don't say it's the final kiss" in their bell-tolling Christmas no.1?
10. Who was crowned King of England on Christmas
Day in 1066?
11. Which plant has bright red and green leaves and is sometimes known as the Christmas Flower?
12. What happened in the 1914 Christmas Day truce during the First World War?
13. What date is epiphany?
14. Name the Christmas-themed ballet that premiered in Russia in 1892?
15. Stollen is the traditional fruit cake of which country? 1. What's the name of the giant snow monster that guards
Elsa's palace in Frozen? 2. Which animal carried Mary before she gave birth to
Jesus?
3. Which Angel visited Mary? 4. What is Scrooge’s first name? 5. Father Christmas is also known as Saint …?
6. What gifts did the Three Wise
Men give to Jesus? 7. What sweet snack is usually left out for Father Christmas? 8. What do people traditionally put on top of a Christmas tree?
9. On which date does an advent calendar start? 10. What does Harry Potter receive from Dumbledore during his first Christmas at
Hogwarts?
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GARDEN ARMY FOUNDER Tom Morphew
The Garden Army is a group of volunteers, based just outside West Hoathly, who garden and grow produce as a community team. We met Founder Tom to find out more:
How did the idea of the Garden Army come about?
A trained gardener, when I started my own farm, Full Circle Farms, I was determined to build a regenerative farm, improving soil health to help reverse climate change by expanding biodiversity. I wanted to use the farm as a vehicle for a community interest group to support peoples’ well-being and learn new skills. I was friends with an ex-military policeman, Dave Gee, who was helping ex-army colleagues with PTSD, we saw that working outside as a collective had a very positive effect. This is what the Garden Army stands for: people who need one another and need to be outside getting their hands dirty.
What have you achieved so far?
First, we’ve realised the dream of assembling an ‘army’ of volunteers. An area of scrubland and a few dilapidated out-buildings have morphed into a cultivated kitchen garden across half an acre, producing a wide variety of high quality, responsibly grown fruit and vegetables free from any chemicals – with 60 tons of hogging laid to create accessible pathways linking the various parts of the farm. We’ve also built a polytunnel to grow some of our more delicate produce – and we now have a chicken shed and free-range run, home to around 50 hens, laying more than 200 eggs a week. We’ve developed partnerships with a variety of local health and education organisations and started a programme of Corporate Volunteering Days.
What has been the highlight of the whole process?
In September, we partnered with leading chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc at the Chelsea Flower Show. As well as providing produce for guests, including leading figures from politics and industry, I joined Raymond to present on our vision for the Garden Army and the importance of regenerative farming. Other highlights are little things like seeing
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an excluded teenager come alive when looking after chickens or hearing a volunteer saying how the farm has changed their lives.
What does the future hold for the Garden Army? What are your immediate and long-term plans?
The project is still very much in its development phase and includes a sensory garden, small farm shop, relaxation and quiet spaces, and the refurbishment of ‘Big Blue’, the bus that will be used for meetings, tea breaks and visiting guests.
What local feedback have you had?
I’ve been delighted with the local feedback so far – from volunteers, doctors, teachers, customers, etc. They can see we have a clear vision and support us.
How can people get involved and support the venture?
We have plans but we desperately need secure funding to make this happen. So, money is always very welcome! But more importantly the Garden Army is part of the community – and we always welcome people to come along to our farm and see what’s happening, and who knows, maybe pick up a trowel and join our army of volunteers. To visit the farm and find out about opportunities to help, email Tom@ garden-army.com For donations visit www.gofund. me/1c2589f4 or follow the link on our web site: www.garden-army.com/
Christmas at Nymans
Until 3rd January • Nymans, near Handcross 11am – 3:30pm house, 10am - 4pm grounds (closed 24 & 25 Dec), normal admission charge plus £2 per Percy the Park Keeper trail.
This Christmas, there are festive delights indoors and out at Nymans. In the house, rooms are richly decorated with sumptuous Christmas trees and sparkling lights including some of the Messel family’s original Christmas decorations. In the garden, join Percy the Park Keeper on a winter wander trail, not forgetting to stop off at the Play Glade to see Percy’s shed and enjoy some festive games. There will also be opportunities to meet Percy in person and help him with his winter jobs. Dogs can also join in with the festive fun during November, December and January when they’ll be greeted with a special treat at the welcome hub.
