Preserving for Posterity
THE EAST GRINSTEAD SOCIETY, LOCAL HERITAGE WEEK Saturday 1st September – Sunday 9th September (Article by Barbara Stodold)
The East Grinstead Society was formed in 1968 following the demolition of a 15th century timber framed shop, formerly the premises of H S martin & Co, chemists. This broke the continuous line of medieval structures thought to be one of the longest in the country. A group of residents was determined that damage to the integrity of the High Street should never happen again and formed a society with that specific aim. The Society holds regular monthly meetings with guest speakers, organises guided walks around the historic parts of the town and takes part in the National Open Heritage Days. We also monitor planning applications, and comment on strategic planning documents like the evolving District and Neighbourhood Plans. We have put together a Local Heritage Week to include events (with children’s activities) in the Library, the Museum and St Swithun’s Church, and guided ‘Visits and Walks’ of the High Street, Sackville College (chargeable), a Heritage Open Day at Standen, 8th September (not charged on this
occasion), and other historic buildings around the local area. This is an exciting programme of events for all ages, reflecting the unique appeal of our beautiful and historic town. See full programme below. For more information visit: www.eastgrinsteadsociety.org. Copies of the programme are also available from the Library and Museum. We have been supported in this project by the Gatwick Airport Community Trust.
LOCAL HERITAGE WEEK | EVENTS Sat 1st – Sun 9th Sept
Sat 1st Sept.
Sackville College, East Grinstead High Street, 2 – 5pm, Entrance Costs: Adults £4 Children £1. Guided tours round this perfect Jacobean almshouse, founded in 1609 by Robert Sackville, 2nd Earl of Dorset. Visit the Great Hall with its minstrel’s gallery and hammer beam roof and the chapel with its original carved door.
‘Tales about our town’, 10 –12pm Free. A fun activity for children aged 5 – 11 years to launch ’Local Heritage Week’. Come and hear the ‘horrible history’ of East Grinstead told by Sir Simon Smythe, a Victorian railway gentleman. We shall then make a model of our historic High Street to display in the library window and enjoy refreshments with the Mayor. At the library.
Weds 5th Sept St Swithun’s Church Bell Tower, 7:45 – 9am, Free. Visit to St. Swithun’s Bell Tower for a short talk on the ancient art of campanology and a demonstration of bell ringing.
Thurs 6th Sept. ‘Death on the Somme’, 7 – 9pm, Tickets £3 (available from library). An illustrated talk, by information librarian, Tim Stanton, on the involvement of three young local soldiers, who were killed in this historic battle. Tim will use their stories to illustrate methods of tracing your own family tree. At East Grinstead museum.
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