Bibliography - Wadhurst History Society
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Wadhurst - Then and Now: A Study in Pictures, by Stan Cosham and Michael Harte, published 9 August 2003 (180 pp., Wadhurst History Society & printed at Greenman Enterprise, Wadhurst, ISBN-10: 0954580206 & ISBN-13: 9780954580209) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503096] & Wadhurst History Society & East Sussex Libraries

A fascinating collection of photographs which provides a snapshot of local life in a market town during the dramatic changes it has undergone over 100 years. The book is divided into sections covering aspects of Wadhurst life which include, amongst others, farming, the church, street scenes, music, transport, houses great and small, wars, storms and other disasters.

Victorian Wadhurst - Glimpses of our Past, by Members of the Society, published 6 December 2005 (144 pp., Wadhurst History Society, ISBN-10: 0954580214 & ISBN-13: 9780954580216) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society & East Sussex Libraries

Explores the development of Wadhurst, local employment, turnpikes and street lighting, local churches, education, the blacksmiths, the railway and general life in Wadhurst from the late 1830s to the turn of the century.

The Day Wadhurst Changed - Friday 20th January 1956, by Michael Harte, Rachel Ring and Heather Woodward, published 11 May 2006 (164 pp., Wadhurst History Society & printed at Greenman Enterprise, Wadhurst, ISBN-10: 0954580222 & ISBN-13: 9780954580223) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society & East Sussex Libraries

The book, with 85 illustrations - most not published before - sets the scene of life in England and in Wadhurst just before the crash; then follow details from the official records of what happened on Friday 20th January 1956 and personal recollections from many of those who were there on that afternoon. Personal memories of events in the week after the crash are followed by an analysis of the RAF Court of Inquiry and other official reports produced in the weeks after the accident. The book then examines the delays in rebuilding the High Street and the decisions taken by the local authorities involved. The book closes with an analysis of the press and other media response to the event, of the research undertaken by the authors and, as a final note, of the miracles that saved Wadhurst from what could - if events had happened differently - have been a tragedy of epic proportions with a heavy loss of life and the destruction of much more than three buildings in the High Street: Wadhurst might almost have died.

The Last Great Prize Fight between Tom King and John Heenan in Wadhurst on 10th December 1863, by Michael Insley, published 2007 (48 pp., Wadhurst History Society, ISBN-10: 0954580230 & ISBN-13: 9780954580230) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society

Covers the fight between Tom King and the American John Heenan which took place in a field at Turners Green, Wadhurst on 10th December 1863 and the history leading up to the fight.

Wadhurst in the Second World War: Life in a Wealden Market Town 1939-1945, by Members of the Society, published November 2008 (viii + 317 pp., Wadhurst History Society, ISBN-10: 0954580281 & ISBN-13: 9780954580285) accessible at: British Library & Wadhurst History Society & East Sussex Libraries

Takes a look at life in Wadhurst before the war began, how it changed during the war and the effects of the immediate aftermath. A vivid and sometimes dramatic portrait is painted which relies heavily on the recollections of those who lived through it all in Wadhurst.

The members of Wadhurst History Society marked the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2 by recording and collecting the memories of people who had experienced village life during that time. This book is an engaging series of studies using this research along with a range of other documentary sources. I was particularly struck by their imaginative use of this rich source material throughout to draw out the details of life in Wadhurst during wartime. As well as conducting interviews they also made use of diaries and the on-line archive created by the BBC, 'WW2 People's War'. They intersperse these personal accounts with details from Parish magazines, Newspaper Reports, Air raid Log Books, government information leaflets, battalion diaries and more.
The studies cover an interesting range of subjects, from a close examination of the wartime Parish magazines to a chapter on Canadian Forces in the Wadhurst area. Each one illuminates the specific experiences of the residents of the Wadhurst area; for example the experience of living within 'Doodlebug Alley', whilst maintaining the broader focus of a country at war.
This dual focus will make it of interest to anyone interested in local history or the Second World War more generally. I think the use of source material will also be of great interest and value to local history groups who might be planning a project. The details of 'ordinary' everyday life during wartime is excellent throughout the book. I was moved by the real sense of community spirit which emerges across all the chapters. One can easily imagine rural communities all over Britain going through similar experiences. It is sometimes the subtle details that are so telling; such as the strain on the vicar from his attempts to maintain optimism and comfort his parishioners through such difficult times. The book is well illustrated with photographs, advertisements and maps and is a considerable collective achievement for the History Society.

A Brief History of George Street and St George's Hall, by Mary Offord, published 2009 (Wadhurst History Society, ISBN-10: 0956176844 & ISBN-13: 9780956176844) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society & East Sussex Libraries

A short publication which explores the construction and life of a small but coherent community at the heart of Wadhurst.

Wadhurst Back in Time: 1901-1936, edited by Heather Woodward, David James and Arthur Dewar, published 12 December 2011 (348 pp., Wadhurst History Society & printed at Greenman Enterprise, Wadhurst, ISBN-10: 0956176860 & ISBN-13: 9780956176868) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society

Looks at Wadhurst during the years of extraordinary change and challenge at the beginning of the 20th Century and includes the recollections of local residents with many illustrations. Public Transport, Census Returns, The Great War, Farming, Blacksmiths, Brewing, Building, Coppicing, The Motor Trade, The Gas Works, The Police and Fire Services and Local Developments are just some of the aspects covered. An historical timeline of world events helps to set the scene.

This book contains 13 chapters by different authors covering life and times in Wadhursr between 1907 and 1936, including the Great War, Farming, local industries, cultural life and much more. Totally absorbing reading about village life and a series of studies on several important aspects of the early years of the 20th century

Wadhurst: Town of the High Weald, by Alan Savidge and Oliver Mason, published c.2014 (second edition, 164 pp. + 69 illus., Wadhurst History Society) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society

The classic history of Wadhurst written by Alan Savidge and Oliver Mason and originally printed in 1988 has recently been reprinted by the Wadhurst History Society. The second edition of the book features an introduction which catalogues the many changes that have taken place since 1988 and it is generally regarded as the definitive history of Wadhurst. It is a must for anyone with an inquiring mind who would like to know how the community has evolved since the Norman Conquest.

Wadhurst's Black Sunday: 9th May 1915, edited by Arthur Dewar, David James and Heather Woodward, published 2015 (142 pp., Wadhurst History Society) accessible at: Wadhurst History Society

A detailed account of the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9th May 1915.  The book features a time line of world events between March and June 1915 and one of the Battle itself.  It touches briefly on the causes of the First World War and also deals with battles which lead up to the tragedy. There is a short biography of each of the 25 Wadhurst men killed on that awful day and the book goes on to analyse the effects on Wadhurst and its people.