Links
Publications
Parish of East Blatchington, by Thomas Walker Horsfield, published 1835 in The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex (vol. I, rape of Pevensey, pp.274-275) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2396][Lib 3211] & The Keep [LIB/507380][Lib/500087] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Monumental Inscriptions, East Blatchington, by Rev. R. N. Dennis, rector of East Blatchington, published 1861 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 13, article, p.302) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2098] & The Keep [LIB/500232] & S.A.S. library View Online
Urns found in East Blatchington Church, by R. N. Dennis, published 1861 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 13, notes & queries, p.309) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2098] & The Keep [LIB/500232] & S.A.S. library View Online
Blatchington, East, by Mark Antony Lower, M.A., published 1870 in A Compendious History of Sussex, Topographical, Archaeological & Anecdotal (vol. I, pp.56-57, Lewes: George P. Bacon) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8946][Lib 3314] & The Keep [LIB/500159] View Online
Ordnance Survey Book of Reference to the plan of the Parish of East Blatchington, published 1874 (article, London: H.M.S.O. & printed at George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode) View Online
Guide to the Church of St Peter, East Blatchington, by Walter H Godfrey, published 1934 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9238]
The Parish Registers of East Blatchington, Sussex, 1563-1804, by Rev. John H. Layton and Frank R. Williams, published 1934 (viii + 128 pp., Seaford: Frank R. Williams) accessible at: & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by W. B. [W. Budgen] in Sussex Notes and Queries, August 1940:The transcription of Parish Registers and their publication as printed books or in typescript is at all times to be warmly commended, but this little book, printed by a hand press, deserves a special word of praise as an example of how difficulties can be overcome and success achieved. The parish and Mr. Williams are both to be congratulated. Copies can be obtained from Mr. Frank R. Williams, 31, Kedale Road, East Blatchington, Seaford, price 3s. 6d.
Sussex Church Plans CX: The Parish Church of St. Peter, East Blatchington, by W. H. G. [W. H. Godfrey], published May 1961 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XV no. 7, article, pp.232-233) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8233] & The Keep [LIB/500217] & S.A.S. library
Mesolithic Finds from East Blatchington, by Martin Bell, published 1974 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 112, shorter notice, p.155) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5960] & The Keep [LIB/500317] & S.A.S. library
Religious Survey 1851 - Lewes district, edited by John A. Vickers, published August 1990 in The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 75, pp.74-94, ISBN-10: 085445036X & ISBN-13: 9780854450367) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10578][Lib 13824] & The Keep [LIB/500452][LIB/507827] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
District:Lewes district incl. Ditchling, Wivelsfield, Westmeston, East Chiltington, Streat, Plumpton, Hamsey, Chailey, Newick, Barcombe, Ringmer, Glynde, Beddingham, West Firle, Ripe, Chalvington, Selmeston, Alciston, Berwick, Newhaven, East Blatchington, Bishopstone, Denton, Tarring Neville, Piddinghoe, Telscombe, Southease, Iford, Kingston-near-Lewes, Stanmer, Falmer, Rottingdean & Ovingdean
Blatchington (East) - Land Tax 1785, edited by Roger Davey, published 1991 in East Sussex Land Tax, 1785 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 77, pp.22-23, ISBN-10: 0854450386 & ISBN-13: 9780854450381) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11681][Lib 13075] & The Keep [LIB/500454][Lib/507860] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
East Sussex Census 1851 Index: Newhaven Area - Glynde, Beddingham, West Firle, Ripe, Chalvington, Selmeston, Alciston, Berwick, East Blatchington, Bishopstone, Denton, South Heighton, Tarring Neville, Newhaven, Piddinghoe, Southease, Telscombe, Rodmell, Iford, Kingston, Stanmer, Falmer, Rottingdean, and Ovendean, by June C. Barnes, published 1 March 1994 (vol. 23, booklet, 108 pp., C. J. Barnes & printed at Battle Instant Print Ltd., ISBN-10: 1870264223 & ISBN-13: 9781870264228) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503435] & East Sussex Libraries
Not Alone in Ontario, by Brenda Ruffett, published December 1996 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 12 no. 4, article, pp.127-128) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14879] & The Keep [LIB/508811] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.
Preview:A family tree headed by Thomas Hollebon and Elizabeth married 1581 at E. Blatchington with descendants throughout Sussex down to the author's father and mother who emigrated to Canada in 1951.
The Bird Man of Blatchington: The Diaries (1846-1869) of the Revd Robert Nathaniel Dennnis, by Rodney Castleden, published 2011 (Seaford: Blatchington Press)
On Blatchington Hill: History of a Downland Village, by Rodney Castleden, published 2011 (310 pp., Seaford: Blatchington Press, ISBN-10: 1447857682 & ISBN-13: 9781447857686) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:The story of a small Sussex Downland village is told for the first time. Using a wide range of sources, including historic maps, house histories, old letters and personal reminiscences, the complex history of East Blatchington emerges, with unexpected results. The book reveals how close the village came to extinction in the Black Death, and how the ambition of the last squire led to many of the village's present-day problems. And some extraordinary personalities reappear from the past. What emerges is an unexpectedly rich and colourful picture of an English village that has come close to being forgotten. 309pp, over 90 black and white illustrations
Review by Kevin Gordon in Sussex Past & Present no. 126, April 2012:This book is an absolute treat. I thought I knew a lot about Seaford but on reading this book fascinating new facts about Seaford were jumping out from every page. Rodney has done a thorough job in recording the history of Blatchington, a village which has long since disappeared into greater Seaford. The parish of East Blatchington (it became East Blatchington to distinguish it from another village of the same name near Hove) stretches from the sea to the golf course and Rodney has delved into hundreds of sources to provide us with the most comprehensive book about the area ever written.
Blatchington has a long and interesting history dating back to Roman times. Although squashed between the important medieval port of Seaford and ancient Bishopstone, Blatchington has been owned by a variety of 'Lords of the Manor' including the Gage family from Firle and the clergy of Battle Abbey. Rodney writes well and potentially dull periods are peppered with facts which keep the reader interested - a murder here, a drowning there or even a tale of the local miller who used to paint his horse blue and yellow! Some of Blatchington's influential residents including the bird worrier, Revd Robert Dennis and William Tyler-Smith, the London surgeon who did so much to promote Victorian Seaford are thoroughly researched and what colourful characters they were. Blatchington resident Herbert Fisher supplied the underpants which were used on the body of a Welsh vagrant - 'the Man who Never Was' - whose body was dumped in the Mediterranean with fake papers in his pocket to fool Hitler into thinking there would be an allied attack on Sardinia.
The military presence in the area has not been overlooked. Blatchington Barracks was in use between 1793 and 1818 and thousands of men came from all over the country to keep watch towards France. Bad food and conditions led to the infamous mutiny of 1795 and many of the soldiers were buried in Blatchington churchyard. During the Great War another massive camp was built for soldiers fromall over the Empire which stretched from Blatchington Hill to the cemetery in Alfriston Road.
The book is well illustrated with pictures, drawings, maps and some of the author's own art work. Every village should have a book like this and anyone with an interest in heritage should have this book on their shelf.
Blatchington has a long and interesting history dating back to Roman times. Although squashed between the important medieval port of Seaford and ancient Bishopstone, Blatchington has been owned by a variety of 'Lords of the Manor' including the Gage family from Firle and the clergy of Battle Abbey. Rodney writes well and potentially dull periods are peppered with facts which keep the reader interested - a murder here, a drowning there or even a tale of the local miller who used to paint his horse blue and yellow! Some of Blatchington's influential residents including the bird worrier, Revd Robert Dennis and William Tyler-Smith, the London surgeon who did so much to promote Victorian Seaford are thoroughly researched and what colourful characters they were. Blatchington resident Herbert Fisher supplied the underpants which were used on the body of a Welsh vagrant - 'the Man who Never Was' - whose body was dumped in the Mediterranean with fake papers in his pocket to fool Hitler into thinking there would be an allied attack on Sardinia.
The military presence in the area has not been overlooked. Blatchington Barracks was in use between 1793 and 1818 and thousands of men came from all over the country to keep watch towards France. Bad food and conditions led to the infamous mutiny of 1795 and many of the soldiers were buried in Blatchington churchyard. During the Great War another massive camp was built for soldiers fromall over the Empire which stretched from Blatchington Hill to the cemetery in Alfriston Road.
The book is well illustrated with pictures, drawings, maps and some of the author's own art work. Every village should have a book like this and anyone with an interest in heritage should have this book on their shelf.
East Blatchington, St. Peter - Church monuments, edited by Nigel Llewellyn, published 2011 in East Sussex Church Monuments, 1530-1830 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 93, pp.98-99, ISBN-10: 0854450750 & ISBN-13: 9780854450756) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 17926] & The Keep [LIB/500470][LIB/507876] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries View Online
As I am now, so you must be: Monumental Inscriptions at St Peter's. East Blatchington, by Members of the Group, published 2013 (Seaford Monumental Inscriptions Group) accessible at: Seaford Monumental Inscriptions Group
On Blatchington Beach: A Village and the Sea, by Rodney Castleden, published 3 March 2013 (248 pp., Seaford: Blatchington Press, ISBN-10: 1291335927 & ISBN-13: 9781291335927) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:The biography of part of the Sussex coast is told for the first time: the central stretch of Seaford Bay. The coastline of East Blatchington parish is less than a thousand yards long, but it has had a surprisingly rich and dramatic history. In 1545 it was the focus of a startling attack by a huge French fleet. In 1809 it was at the centre of the Seven Ships disaster. Exploring the history of Blatchington beach uncovers the stories of many different people: fishermen, smugglers, wreckers, coastguards, soldiers and sailors, drunkards and heroes, murderers and their victims. The biographies of several little-known figures are revealed, some of whom performed remarkable acts of bravery, saving the lives of strangers in the sea.