Balcombe History Society

Newsletter - February 2010

We are pleased to introduce two new features to our talks programme.  The first of them will be at the Victory Hall at 8.00pm on Friday 12^th February 2010.

Our speaker, Gillian Edom – is the Project Leader of “Joining Up our Heritage” – a project of West Sussex Records Office.  The aim is to enhance the Tithe Maps data base which has the details of the holders of the parcels of land on the map.  This project will enable local groups including Balcombe to make their activities and archives more accessible to the public.

This illustrated talk will describe the wealth of material that can be made available.  Members will be invited to join a new Balcombe team to take part.  Training and support will be provided.

There will also be a display of some early Parish Magazines (from the 1940’s and 50’s).  Many familiar local names appear in them.

Tickets at the door £1.00 for members and £3.00 for visitors.

Annual subscriptions can be paid, if not already settled.

Secondly, on Tuesday 9^th March, Lyn Palmer will present: “The Weald Revealed: Exploring the wooded landscapes of the Weald Ridge.”  Lyn is Historic Awareness Project Officer for Weald Forest Ridge of East Sussex County Council Archaeology Section.  40% of this landscape is woodland, whose archaeology is often hidden.  The project aims to help people identify these hidden features.  Resources include new technology (eg. by radar), to view through the tree canopy.  Our members will be invited to take part in support of this project.

Note – The Annual General Meeting (at 8.00pm) will precede the Talk.  An agenda and annual accounts will be circulated in advance.

Mini-Exhibition – International award winning cartoons by Ross Thomson (the Balcombe artist) will be on display.  Ross has been awarded over 80 international awards for his cartoons; and a few of them will be on view.

We are very sorry that Michael Rayner has resigned from the role of Treasurer.  This is due to his and Pat’s plan to move to Cheshire and live near one of their family.  Many thanks to Michael for his helpful work for the Society.

Graham Gosney

Chairman