Worthing

WORTHING HERITAGE FESTIVAL. Field Place, Pavilion Barn.
Nichola’s talk, Bygone Sussex: The Photographs of George Garland and John Fletcher, explores and illustrates two of WSRO’s most important photographic collections. Whilst different in nature and content, the collections can be used together to discover more about our changed landscapes and ways of life. From the ramshackle mills and sleepy rural villages of pre-World War 1 Sussex, captured by the Worthing-born John Fletcher, to the sheep fairs, rural crafts and ploughing matches, lovingly celebrated by George Garland throughout the mid-20^th century, join Nichola to find out more about the photographers and their collections, and for a glimpse of Bygone Sussex.  

This talk examines some of the ways people in the past protected themselves and their homes from evil. Protective items will also be on display and can be handled. There will hopefully be no witches or warlocks present, but a wellington may appear!

Dr Janet Penning is a popular speaker and historian talking on local topics.  She is the former archivist at Lancing College and wrote her doctoral thesis on the Inns & Taverns of West Sussex. 

Find out about the development of the large municipal cemeteries during the 19th century and the background to their establishment. Using Newhaven Cemetery as a focus, the talk looks at how a cemetery can act as a reference library for local and family history, and a fascinating insight into Victorian social history.

Ian Everest is a popular speaker from Newhaven giving talks on Farming History, Sussex Local History, Military and Social History.

No meeting in August

This year is the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. One of the driving forces behind it was Thomas Paine who between 1768 – 1774 lived in the Sussex County town  of Lewes.  Later on he would become an influence behind the French Revolution, with his publiczation The Rights of Man. This talk will look at how the town’s independent spirit fostered his ideas and his life during the years that followed.   

 Leanne O'Boyle is a founding director of Thomas Paine: Legacy and is a Trustee of the Amberley Museum.  She has just had published her book, Patriots, Radicals and Revolutionaries about the American Revolution and recently appeared on television talking to Lucy Worsley about Thomas Paine. 

An account of dentistry and dentists in the 19th century, how they practised and what methods they used to promote their business. The invention of tooth brushes and toothpaste and dentures have an interesting history. 

Lady Teviot is a popular speaker who has been involved with family history research for over thirty-five years, and she also specialises in Probate Research. Lady Teviot has lectured and fulfilled media engagements in Australia (including Good Morning Australia), New Zealand, Canada, U.SA. and South Africa.

The chance discovery of a First World War medal in a garden in Surrey triggered the search for an old soldier’s family.  This would span 19th Century brickmaking in Warwickshire, the Somme, Gallipoli and a family story that that would connect to Geroge Elliot’s (Mary Anne Evans’) first story collection published in 1857.  Who was Sapper Clay?

John Griffiths-Colby has a background in Journalism, Business Consultancy and public speaking.

Worthing : no December talk

Worthing Meeting Centre AGM. TBA
Please see Worthing Heritage Alliance Calendar for later details.