Local Historians' Evening

A dozen active local historians working on East Grinstead or one of the surrounding villages met at East Grinstead Town Museum on 24 May for a conversazione.

The event, arranged by the Hon. Curator, Mr M.J.Leppard, gave them the chance to tell each other informally about what they were doing and to discuss common interests and problems. It was also a chance to learn of ways in which the Museum might be able to help them as part of its service to its area and its promotion of the serious study of local history.

Sussex, Surrey, and Kent were all represented, for East Grinstead lies at the junction of all three counties. This chance to talk across county boundaries, which often impose arbitrary restrictions on local historical research, was particularly appreciated.

Those present represented work in progress on Ashdown Forest, Ashurst Wood, Crawley Down, Danehill, East Grinstead, District and Felbridge, Turners Hill Forest, and Row, also on Lingfield, prehistory, the Wealden iron industry, and vernacular architecture.

It was agreed that the Museum should act as a continuing point of contact for those who attended, including passing on queries from the general public.

Anyone interested in the history of the area will find the Museum, at East Court, East Grinstead, open every Wednesday 2-4 and every Saturday 2-5 p.m., admission free. (Strangers should follow signs to the police station!) For further information, please contact Mr M.J.Leppard, Hon. Curator.