Bibliography - W.I.R.G.: 1st Series Bulletin No. 6, Summer 1973
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Wealden Iron Research Group: First Series Bulletin No. 6, Summer 1973, edited by David Crossley, published Summer 1973 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Pushing Back the Frontier: Part Two, by Joseph Pettitt, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, article, pp.3-5) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Cuckfield Furnaces - a new discovery, by Michael J. Burchall, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, article, pp.6-7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

While tracing the descent of the Jenner family of Cuckfield, I came across a Will which indicates the presence of two previously un-noted furnaces. Members of W.I.R.G. will perhaps excuse me for first of all tracing the descent of one of the properties but it may be of future interest in just how long the furnaces were in operation.

The Problem of Bloomery Sites, by C. F. Tebbutt, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, article, pp.8-10) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Firstly I would like to comment on the very great number of new bloomery sites, not known to Straker, found by W.I.R.G. Indeed this has been the main area of discovery by the group. In contrast very few have been dated by documents, pottery or other artefacts. I do not here propose to discuss the question of Carbon 14 dating of bloomeries. I feel that its accuracy is under suspicion. In the only two cases that I know where such dating was done, and pottery was also present, the Carbon 14 date differed quite considerably from that of the well authenticated pottery.

A Memory of Ernest Straker, by Jean Shelley, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, article, pp.10-11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

I have known Mrs Ruth Sewill, daughter of Ernest Straker, for some time. I thought others might like to share her memories of her father.

Shipments of Guns from Newhaven, 1809-1813, by John Farrant, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, article, p.12) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

It may be possible that the references given below relate to guns cast at Wealden furnaces, and the writer passes them on for those more knowledgeable about the industry.

Heathfield Furnace and Founders, by Joe Pettitt, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, note, p.13) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Much is known about the 'New' Furnace at Heathfield, because the Fuller documents have survived in quantity. But where was the 'Old' Furnace? The Lists of 1574 show a William Relfe holding a furnace in Heathfield. Where was it? Some of the Lists indicate that there were other water powered sites in Heathfield held by Sir Richard Baker and by Thomas Stollion. Is there a detective in the area?

Inventory of Sites Visited by W.I.R.G.: Bloomeries, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, report, pp.14-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

The granting of the Commission for the New Towns' application to demolish the "barn" at 103 High Street, Crawley, resulted in a survey to record the building, which was thought to contain the core of a Mediaeval house. However, this examination revealed that the timber frame structure was in fact a Moot Hall. Good examples of this type of building are quite rare south of the Thames and this alone was sufficient grounds for preservation. Since it was not possible to leave the building in situ, it was dismantled and transported to the Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, Sussex, where it awaits reconstruction.

Inventory of Sites Visited by W.I.R.G.: Water Powered Sites, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, report, pp.14-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

The granting of the Commission for the New Towns' application to demolish the "barn" at 103 High Street, Crawley, resulted in a survey to record the building, which was thought to contain the core of a Mediaeval house. However, this examination revealed that the timber frame structure was in fact a Moot Hall. Good examples of this type of building are quite rare south of the Thames and this alone was sufficient grounds for preservation. Since it was not possible to leave the building in situ, it was dismantled and transported to the Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, Sussex, where it awaits reconstruction.

Moot Hall, 103 High Street, Crawley (TQ 268 368), by John Gibson-Hall, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, note, pp.14-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

The granting of the Commission for the New Towns' application to demolish the "barn" at 103 High Street, Crawley, resulted in a survey to record the building, which was thought to contain the core of a Mediaeval house. However, this examination revealed that the timber frame structure was in fact a Moot Hall. Good examples of this type of building are quite rare south of the Thames and this alone was sufficient grounds for preservation. Since it was not possible to leave the building in situ, it was dismantled and transported to the Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, Sussex, where it awaits reconstruction.