Mayfield Local History Society

13/05/2026

Does anyone know of a Shirley Playford? We've been contacted by someone who is trying to trace the owner of the attached original photo

01/05/2026

That's a wrap on the Mayfield Local History Society's 2025/26 season!🎉

We've enjoyed six fascinating talks on subjects close to home and the 2026/27 programme is already shaping up to be just as good. ✨

We're back on Wednesday 28 October with a talk on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission more details to follow.

A big thank you to Andy Saunders for an enthralling talk on Germany s V1 vengeance weapons (also known as Doodlebugs/Flying Bombs) and a striking reminder of how much Mayfield and East Sussex were in the firing line. As one audience member put it, it was a chilling echo of what Ukrainians face today with drone strikes.

And thank you to Bruce for helping pinpoint the Mayfield strike locations his map and reference chart are attached if you'd like a closer look.

26/03/2026

🌿 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Brad Draga‑Williams’ fascinating talk on the 'Restoration of Wadhurst Park'. It was inspiring to hear how historic 1800s maps are being used to recreate hedgerows and ponds, helping native wildlife and the landscape to thrive.

🌸 Don’t forget that Wadhurst Park is taking part in the National Garden Scheme, with the gardens open to the public on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June — a wonderful opportunity to visit.

🐄 Out walking locally? Check out the Nofence Grazing Map app (www.nofence.com) to see where free‑ranging cattle and sheep are grazing — handy whether you’re walking solo or with a dog.

🚀 Next month marks the final talk of our 2025/26 season!
Andy Saunders will explore the V1 story and the impact of Hitler’s Vengeance Weapons on civilians, with a special focus on how the Mayfield area was affected.

📍 Scout & Guide Hall, Mayfield
🕢 Doors open 7:30pm | Talk starts 8:00pm
🍷 Cash‑only wine bar
🎟 Members: Free | Visitors: £5

We’d love to see you there for what promises to be a thought‑provoking and memorable evening.

26/02/2026

✨ What a fantastic evening! ✨
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us to explore the history and restoration of Gable End / Yew Tree Cottage. Special thanks to Kate & Ian Burgess for sharing the real highs and lows of restoring a Grade II listed home – truly fascinating.

📅 Next month’s talk (our penultimate of the 2025/26 season) welcomes Brad Draga‑Williams, Ecology Manager at Wadhurst Park. He’ll share the story of this stunning 2,100‑acre estate between Mayfield and Wadhurst, and the inspiring work underway to restore its historic landscape and biodiversity.

🎤 Our final talk of the season – 29 April sees Andy Saunders presenting 'Doodlebugs over East Sussex'. He explores the impact of Hitler’s V1 'Vengeance Weapons’, with a particular focus on Mayfield and the surrounding area.
🕢 Doors & Bar opens 7:30pm
🕗 Talks start at 8pm
🎟 Members free | Visitors £5 – bring a friend!
We’d love to see you there 👋

30/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening to hear about Daniel DeFoe's journey through South East England. I'm still chuckling about his comments about Tunbridge Wells and the Weald. An excellent talk. Next month will be about one of the oldest houses in Mayfield - The Gable End. See you there!

08/01/2026

Calling Mayfield's Super Sleuths, we've been approached to help find more information about the attached painting. Can you help? If so please feel free to either comment, DM or send an email to '[email protected]' and we'll pass it on.

I'm hoping to find an Historian who may be able to shed some light on this oil painting, now known to be based on a photo that was found in this group (posted by Phil Clark on the 13th August, 2024).

This oil painting, titled 'MARKET DAY - MAYFIELD, SUSSEX' was likely painted in 1890. Attached are photos of the front and back of the canvas (without the frame) - sized: 63.5cm x 83.8cm.

I have been fascinated by the detail of this painting since I purchased it. I was bemused by the fact that the artist would go to so much detail, naming shops and even titling the work 'MARKET DAY - MAYFIELD, SUSSEX, but had not signed it. So I looked closer into the painting and found 'J. LEE' painted on a market stall (close to the centre). Now having the original photo, it is clear that the market stall did not have a name on it, and so I have been working on the assumption that J. LEE is the artist's name.

Upon researching artists active in Sussex in and around 1890, I was introduced to the idea that this painting was in the Pre-Raphaelite style and that 'William 8177' written on the rear stretcher may be a reference to William Holman Hunt, a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Upon further research, a John Lee was active in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood from 1850 to 1870. However, I have since learned that 1870 is quoted, not because of his death, but because only a handful of artworks have ever been attributed to him with any certainty.

The painting was owned by Frederick W. Thom, a renowned Art Dealer and past Freemasonry Grand Steward (now deceased) whose significant art collection was sold by Bonham's and Christie's upon his death. The mere fact that this was owned by Mr. Thom, in his own personal collection, is a testament to its quality and also perhaps to its artistic provenance; and further adds to its mystery.

If anyone can shed any light on this painting it would be very much appreciated.

27/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who braved the chill night and joined us for our Dutch Supper evening. The evening started with Julian Perkins playing 'Six Sonatas for the Harpsichord (London 1769) by John Worgan (1724-1790). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysRr49GGVrE

The composer, J Worgan, was the Great x 5 grandfather of our speaker, Jeremy Hodginson. Jeremy enthralled everyone with the history of Firebacks & the stories they tell. I for one will be looking at the backs of fires in a different light from now on!

Next talk will be on 28th January - Daniel Defoe's Tour of SouthEast England.

John Worgan's Sonata no. 2 in C major from 'Six Sonatas for the Harpsichord' (London, 1769)Performed by Julian Perkins in Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton, London...

06/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for Mark Glubb's fascinating talk about his grandfather Pasha Glubb. Who knew that the Jordanian Royal Family came to Mayfield not once but twice.

We also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the History Society and raised a glass to our former Chairman, Brian O'Connor who sadly passed away in September.

Our next talk will be on 26th November. Jeremy Hodgkinson will be explaining Firebacks and their pictorial designs. It is our Dutch Supper Evening, where everyone brings (enough for six) a sweet or savoury dish, for all to share as a buffet. We will also have the opportunity to hear some harpsichord music from John Worgan (1724-1790) who is Jeremy's 4 x Great Grandfather.