Extraordinary Sussex

Sussex Day will be upon us on 16th June and with that in mind we have looked to celebrate some of the less well known, but extraordinary things dotted about the county. Robert Veitch visited several with his nephew Benjamin, who offered a ‘Ben out of 10’ rating, while Sara Whatley flew solo and became enthralled by the whole experience

We’ve been out and about, searching across Sussex and found just a few of those magnificent man-made minor marvels, that stand as monuments to people and to culture, spread across the county. We looked for the quirky, for some of the less well known, but all of them interesting in some way or other, and all of them freely accessible.

There are plenty more out there, some prominent, some tucked away; it’s another list for another edition – tell us about them and we’ll tell Sussex. In the meantime, here’s our selection.

Looking towards Crowborough Cross, from his Clokes Corner plinth is a bronze Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who lived in the town from 1907 until his death in 1930. It was designed by renowned sculptor David Cornell and unveiled in 2001. It’s not widely known beyond the town, but shortly after the unveiling a local resident snapped off Sir Arthur’s hat for a practical joke. It was returned a few days later and reattached more securely. Ben out of ten verdict “Pretty cool – he’s a much more successful writer than you Uncle Robbie.” 8/10

In Burwash is a bronze bench and life size sculpture of Rudyard Kipling, watching the world go by on the lime tree lined High Street. Created by local sculptor, Victoria Atkinson, it was unveiled in 2019. Kipling lived in the village from 1902 until his death in 1936. He sits 125m west of the war memorial that bears the name of his son who died in WWI. “This is the prettiest village and the sculpture is very lifelike – I thought he was going to turn and talk to me. The pavement bricks have book names in them. The war memorial has been made nicer, it’s easy to read the names, most are not much older than me.” 8/10

Little known, but hugely influential, William Rees Jeffreys (1872-1954) was a cyclist and road improvements campaigner from Wivelsfield Green. He championed the creation of a ring road around London, building the Severn Bridge, and helped devise the modern road numbering system. The very modest High-and-Over sandstone and brass memorial is one of 14 across

Rudyard Kipling statue in Burwash

A trilogy that makes a nice 3¾ mile ‘there and back again’ walk

Galleons Lap

Four Counties Marker

This innocuous marker has been here for many years, though its brass top plate has been removed. At 210m (689 feet) it’s one of the highest points on the forest and does what one might expect – offer extensive views of East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey. “The monument isn’t much, but without the top bit you can climb onto it and see great scenery for miles and miles.” 7/10

This memorial is to AA Milne and Ernest Shepard who brought this landscape to the attention of readers far day at primary school this year will be a bit like this.” 9/10

Roman Road

beyond these shores. It’s located about 200m from the trig point and the 63 or 64 trees of ‘The Enchanted Place’ and looks north towards Poohsticks Bridge, and Cotchford Farm beyond, where the Milne’s lived. The bridge was restored in 1979 and Christopher Robin Milne returned for a final game of poohsticks. “It’s a happy-sad place, the last time Pooh and Christopher Robin were together, remembering good times, but going forward in different directions. My last

This is part of the old London to Lewes Way, thought to date from around AD 100. Built for the early iron industry it follows the line of the top road across the forest, though little remains today apart from this not so obvious section of heather covered agger. “It’s interesting because it’s so old. There’s not much to see because there’s heather on it. But there are no potholes, so it was probably a good road back then.”

the UK. “He’s one of those important individuals that not many people would have heard of. If they cleared the scrub and added some seating it would be a good place to picnic with fantastic views and 8/10, but not just yet.” 6/10

Cut into the chalk at High-and-Over, overlooking the Cuckmere River, this second iteration was created overnight, beneath a full moon in February 1924, by Eric Hobbis, John T Ade and Mr Bovis. The equine is 28m (93 feet) wide and 20m (65 feet) high and maintained by the National Trust, who keep it in Grand National winning condition. “I don’t know how they made it, in the dark, without falling off. This place has the best views, whichever way you look.” 7/10

Nestled in Windover Hill is what many people think to be an Iron Age or Neolithic creation. But reality reveals this enigmatic man that stands 72m (235 feet) high is no more than 400 years old. Once called ‘The Green Man’ he was originally cut into the chalk, but latterly his shape is maintained with lime mortar and white concrete. “When you get close up, he’s an odd shape and disappears into the hill, so it’s better seen from further away. The views are great and it’s a good walk to the top of the hill.” 8/10

Located on the South Downs, The Chattri Memorial was built to honour the Indian dead of the WWI and stands where Hindu and Sikh soldiers who died in Brighton war hospitals during 1914-1915 were cremated. It’s a beautiful place to visit with far reaching views and a feeling of solemn peace and remembrance. Usually only accessed on foot, on Sunday 12th June there is a memorial service at 2.30pm and cars are permitted to drive right up to the Chattri. Take a folding chair for the service then head to Patcham High School for refreshments and an exhibition.

Standing proudly on the seafront in Bexhill is the 8.4m high Clock Tower, originally built to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII on 9th August 1902, although ironically, the clock’s completion was two years late. The tower was designed by Robert Hembrow and constructed by local builders Benjamin Gaston and F Ransome. The clock was made by Mr Write, a local watch and clock maker who finally got it going on 19th July 1904. By appearance, it is constructed of imitation Bath stone and all four sides display clock faces. A decorative weathervane sits atop the clock.

The Lewes Martyrs were a group of 17 Protestants who were burned at the stake in Lewes, between 1555 and 1557, during the reign of Mary I, for breaching heresy laws. Their stone memorial obelisk was constructed in 1901 and is 10.5m (35 feet) high. There is an annual commemoration held at the foot of the memorial, which stands on Cliffe Hill. Inscribed are the names of the executed, along with the words, ‘In loving memory of the undernamed seventeen protestant martyrs who, for their faithful testimony to God’s truth, were, during the reign of Queen Mary, burned to death in front of the then Star Inn – now the Town Hall’.

This somewhat esoteric and oddly located bandstand was created at the instigation of the Newhaven Town Council in 2018 and seems a little incongruous. The Eazy-E Bench was unveiled in 2019 in response to the bandstand, after a one-man campaign to remember the Los Angeles based gangsta rapper from the band NWA, who died of AIDS in 1995. Eazy-E had no links to Newhaven, but maybe the NWA album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was played here sometimes and that was enough to merit the installation. “It’s a bit odd to find a bandstand here and the bench is like any park bench. The Samuel Honeyball WWI bench next to them is more important.” 6/10

Walk from Denton Island, through the town, past War Memorial Green, the painted boat, then alongside the River Ouse, past a cormorant in the river and another two on the bank, the National Cycle Network fingerpost, a signpost made from an old dolphin, jetties, and the lifeboat house, all on the way to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial. “These things make it an interesting walk. It’s sad to see the war memorials but soldiers need remembering, it’s important. Why start a war like Ukraine?” 7/10

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2022 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 047/20 REPRODUCED WITH KIND PERMISSION Bandstand

Easy-E Bench

West Quay

Ho Chi Minh

Fishermans Memorial

Ho Chi Minh first docked in Newhaven sometime during 1913, while working as a pastry chef on the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry. He returned to Vietnam in 1923 and was President from 1945-69. During his time, depending on your viewpoint, he created the modern Vietnam, or joined Pol Pot, Idi Amin and others in the pantheon of 20th century villains. The seating was created to foster friendship and tourism links with Vietnam. “It’s nice to sit and hear the seagulls and watch the boats go by, especially the massive cross channel ferry that came into port.” 7/10

This memorial globe of netted fish was created by South Heighton sculptor, Christian Funnell, and unveiled in April 2022. It’s located at the entrance to the harbour and serves as a memorial to six fishermen who have lost their lives at sea over the years. Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay like Otis Redding, Watching the ships roll in, Then I watch ’em roll away again makes it all the more poignant. “It is really sad people die doing their job, just so we can enjoy fish and chips and even sadder to see spaces for more names. It’s a good memorial.” 7/10

This sculpture by David Nash RA, OBE stands tall and tactile in Manor Gardens, Eastbourne. It is constructed of 25-year-old former oak groynes from Eastbourne seafront, each one battered by 18,000 tides. They invite you to wander within their circle and experience the awesome power of the sea to sculpt and hone the wood in its own special way. Nash has then put his own sculptural mark on the wood over this. Visitors can experience this sculpture in a unique way, depending on the day, the light, the weather and themselves.

In June 2012, a spectacular sight took place at Beachy Head when an RAF Chinook helicopter delivered a 6,000-kilogram polished granite tribute to the 55,573 airmen who lost their lives in WWII. This marvellous memorial was organised by then 90-year-old Joseph Williams, who joined the RAF in 1944, aged 21, and served in Bomber Command. The memorial depicts an airman on one side of the sloping structure, and an Avro Lancaster Bomber on the other.For many who didn’t return, Beachy Head was their final view of the UK.

Looking east from Seaford Shoal

Weaving along the seafront at Splash Point in Seaford is a community bench with a difference. Step closer, indeed, have a seat, and it becomes clear that inlaid in the wooden ‘stream’ of slats, is a huge shoal of glittering silver fish, each one holding an engraved message of love, remembrance or celebration. Leaping out of the bench at intervals are much bigger fish of stainless steel and wooden slats, forming backrests for those wanting to sit quietly and contemplate. “It’s the longest bench I’ve ever seen and a nice ‘plaice’ to sit and watch the world go by.” 7/10 l

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2022 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 047/20 REPRODUCED WITH KIND PERMISSION Hove Plinth Angel of Peace The Golden

Spiral Passacaglia Afloat

Steve Ovett

The Golden Spiral

The bronze statue of Steve Ovett, 1980 Olympic 800m champion gold medallist is in full sprint on Madeira Drive, close to the Brighton Marathon finish line. Ovett was born in Brighton, went to Varndean Grammar School and held several world records. 50m west is the anchor from MS Athina B which was beached here in bad weather in 1980.

Continue west past Palace Pier to find the huge bronze torus (a shape that has a continuous surface with a hole in it), mottled green with the elements, sitting at the end of a groyne. ‘Afloat’ is the official name of this sculpture, but most people know it as the doughnut. At the entrance to the groyne is the rather clever, perforated, Kiss Wall.

Among the pebbles is a huge curved abstract sculpture, like a giant half pipe. Installed in 1998 the recycled cast iron has weathered to the same brownorange tones of the beach. It is made from textured tiles pieced together and resembles Yorkshire stone paving.

Further along, close to the West Pier, a new sculpture lights up the ground: The Golden Spiral is an organic, balanced and harmonious spiral, based upon the Fibonacci sequence. It is constructed from 24 original iron columns from the old West Pier.

On the boundary line with Hove, towers the Angel of Peace, some 9m (30 feet) high. She holds an olive branch and an orb and is

Passacaglia a memorial to King Edward VII, ‘The Peacemaker’, who convalesced numerous times in the city.

And finally, further along the promenade is Hove Plinth, an exciting and ambitious community art project by Hove Civic Society. Atop the plinth is a changing gallery of sculptures, which will reside there for approximately two years before being rehomed, some around the city.