Bibliography - Wadhurst, Wealden District, East Sussex
Bibliography Home

The History of Tunbridge Wells, by Thomas Benge Burr, published 1766 (317 pp., Tunbridge Wells: E. Baker) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries   View Online

The Tunbridge Wells Guide or An Account of the ancient and present state of that place to which is added a particular description of the Towns and Villages, Gentlemens Seats, Remains of Antiquity, Founderies, &c.&c. within the circumference of Sixteen Miles, by J. Sprange, published 1797 (Tunbridge Wells: J. Sprange) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries   View Online

Parish of Wadhurst, by Thomas Walker Horsfield, published 1835 in The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex (vol. I, rape of Pevensey, pp.412-415) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2396][Lib 3211] & The Keep [LIB/507380][Lib/500087] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

The Ashdown and Wadhurst series of the Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, by Percival Allen, 1843 at University of Reading (Ph.D. thesis)

Wadhurst, by Mark Antony Lower, M.A., published 1870 in A Compendious History of Sussex, Topographical, Archaeological & Anecdotal (vol. II, pp.219-220, Lewes: George P. Bacon) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8946][Lib 3315] & The Keep [LIB/500158]   View Online

Ordnance Survey Book of Reference to the plan of the Parish of Wadhurst, published 1874 (article, London: H.M.S.O. & printed at George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode)   View Online

A brief memoir of James Jones, 45 years pastor of the Strict Baptist Church, Shovers Green, Wadhurst, Sussex. With a sermon preached September 11th, 1836. Together with various writings, letters, poems and hymns. Written by himself, by James Jones, published 1889 (viii + 267 pp., Wadhurst: Miss Betts) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

Sunnymead, Wadhurst, designed by Mr Frank Chesterton, by Country Life contributor(s), published 5 November 1910 in Country Life (article)

The Barhams of Shoesmiths in Wadhurst, by R. G. Fitzgerald-Uniacke, B.A., F.R.S.A., published 1914 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 56, article, pp.110-160) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2141] & The Keep [LIB/500274] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The Story of Wadhurst, by Alfred A. Wace, I.C.S. and Mrs Rhys Davids née Foley, D.Litt., M.A., published 1923 (134 pp., Tunbridge Wells: Courier Printing & Publishing Co.) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries   View Online

The Geology of the country between Goudhurst (Kent) and Ticehurst (Sussex): With special reference to the Excursion to Goudhurst, Lamberhurst Cousleywood and Wadhurst, Saturday, June 21st, 1924. Weald Research Committee Report No. 1, by H. B. Milner, M.A., D.I.C., F.G.S., published 1924 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 35 issue 4, article, pp.383-394)   View Online

The country included in this area lies to the east of Tunbridge Wells, and embraces the picturesque East Sussex-Kent borderland with the villages of Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, Wadhurst and Ticehurst, comprising a district of thirty-five square miles. It lies principally in the southern part of the Medway basin, though it also takes in a portion of the watershed between that and the Rother basin, the divide being formed by the high ground of Ashdown Forest (Crowborough) and Rotherfield to the west, continuing eastward to Wadhurst, Ticehurst, Cranbrook and beyond. Geologically and tectonically the main features of interest centre round the compound Crowborough-Ticehurst fold, extremely fractured in its eastern development, and in the relationship of that fold to the more northerly Chiddingstone-Pembury anticline, already alluded to in a previous paper.

Wenbans, Wadhurst, by H. F. S. Ramsden, published 1924 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 65, notes & queries, p.259) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2150] & The Keep [LIB/500283] & S.A.S. library

The Boundary Between Sussex and Kent. (ii) The Lamberhurst Area, by F. Bentham Stevens, F.S.A., published May 1928 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 2, article, pp.38-41) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

Plague Stones [at Wadhurst], by Wolseley, published August 1931 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. III no. 7, query, pp.224-225) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8952][Lib 8221] & The Keep [LIB/500205] & S.A.S. library

Sussex Oak in Domestic Architecture, by Harold G. Turner, F.R.I.B.A., M.Inst.C.E., published 1933 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VII no. 9, article, pp.588-594) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2312] & The Keep [LIB/500176]

Old Pump [at Buckhurst Old Manor, Wadhurst], by W. S. Darlington, published February 1934 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. V no. 1, note, p.30) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2204][Lib 8223][Lib 8862] & The Keep [LIB/500207] & S.A.S. library

Oak Tree at Wadhurst , by Gordon Ward, published August 1936 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. VI no. 3, note, p.94) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12537][Lib 8863][Lib 8224] & The Keep [LIB/500208] & S.A.S. library

Withernden Bridge , by G. D. Johnston, published August 1944 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. X no. 3, article, pp.62-63) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8228][Lib 2209] & The Keep [LIB/500212] & S.A.S. library

Blacksmith's Tools, by E. R. B. [E. R. Burder], published February 1949 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XII no. 5, note, pp.117-118) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8230] & The Keep [LIB/500214] & S.A.S. library

Sussex Church Plans LXXXVIII: St Peter, Wadhurst, by W. H. G. [W. H. Godfrey], published November 1949 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XII no. 8, article, pp.178-179) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8230] & The Keep [LIB/500214] & S.A.S. library

Guide to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Wadhurst, edited by Walter H. Godfrey, published 1950 (Sussex Churches No. 13, pamphlet, 15 pp., Wadhurst Parochial Church Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5962] & R.I.B.A. Library & East Sussex Libraries

This is another of the admirable series edited for the Society by Mr. W. H. Godfrey, F.S.A., and to say that it attains the standard of its predecessors is to give it the highest possible praise.
At first a Chapelry in the parish of Mayfield, a Vicarage was endowed in 1291. Mr. Godfrey thinks part of the original Chapel remains in the Tower. The present Church - mainly 14th century with a fine 15th century stone porch and room over - is a large one with two side Aisles to the Nave. Its position near the iron works of the River Teise is demonstrated by the numerous fine cast-iron memorial slabs dating between 1617 and 1799 and including several to the well-known Barham family of Shoesmiths all of which are carefully recorded.

Wadhurst Church, by E. R. B. [E. R. Burder], published August 1950 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XIII no. 3, note, p.66) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8231] & The Keep [LIB/500215] & S.A.S. library

Equisetites lyelli (Mantell) at a new horizon in the Wadhurst Clay, near Pembury, Kent, by Maurice Lock, B.Sc., A.R.S.M., published 1953 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 64 issue 1, article, pp.31-32)   View Online

Houndsell Place, Sussex, by Christopher Hussey, published 17 July 1958 in Country Life (article, pp.126-129)

Excavations: Bardown and Holbean wood, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1969 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 1, article, pp.2-4) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Excavation continued at the Bardown Roman industrial site at Wadhurst, from 29 July to 18 August 1968, and for two subsequent weekends.

The Romano-British Industrial site at Bardown, Wadhurst, 1960-1968, by Henry Cleere, published 1970 (23 pp., Philimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 0900592206 & ISBN-13: 9780900592201) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8287] & The Keep [LIB/503076] & East Sussex Libraries

Village conservation areas: Wadhurst (Uckfield Rural District) - designation report , by L. S. Jay and others, published 1971 (11 leaves of text, [6] leaves of drawings, [4] folded plans, Lewes: East Sussex County Council) accessible at: R.I.B.A. Library & East Sussex Libraries

Excavations at Holbeanwood, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1971 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 2, article, p.4) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Excavations continued at the Holbeanwood site in Ticehurst, Sussex (Nat. Grid Ref. TQ 664 305) at Easter, Spring Bank Holiday, and a week in August 1970, and for a week at Easter 1971.

Fieldwork in the Wadhurst-Ticehurst area, by Henry Cleere and Dennis Hemsley, published Spring 1971 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 2, article, pp.5-6) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Excavations for the natural gas pipeline during the first half of 1970 provided an excellent opportunity to cover a long stretch of country, from Etchingham through to Mayfield.

Bloomeries in the upper (east) Rother basin, by C. S. Cattell, published Spring 1972 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 3, article, p.13) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Wenban's Farm, Wadhurst, by A. A. Wenban, published 1975 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 113, note, pp.195-196) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 6177] & The Keep [LIB/500316] & S.A.S. library

Excavations 1976: Wadhurst, by D. J. Freke, published April 1977 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 21, article, p.113, ISSN: 0307-2568) accessible at: S.A.S. library   Download PDF

Shovers Green Chapel, Wadhurst: The Past, the Pastors and Memorial Inscriptions, by Judith Kinnison and Brian Harwood, published September 1981 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 3 no. 2, article, pp.56-61) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8892] & The Keep [LIB/501189] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

Field Notes: Wadhurst, by C. F. Tebbutt, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, report, pp.6-11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559]   Download PDF

Two Important Photographic Collections of Sussex Local History, by Brian Harwood, published March 1982 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 5 no. 1, article, p.4) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9174] & The Keep [LIB/501257] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Wadhurst and Ticehurst are extremely fortunate in having available to them large photographic collections depicting the villages, villagers and the localities from mid-Victorian times onwards.

Rehoboth Particular Chapel, Pell Green, Wadhurst, by Brian Harwood, published September 1982 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 4 no. 2, article, pp.73-74) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8893] & The Keep [LIB/501190] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

Memorials in Pell Green Chapel, Wadhurst, by Judith Kinnison, published September 1982 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 4 no. 2, article, pp.74-76) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8893] & The Keep [LIB/501190] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

Within the Wood: Medieval Wadhurst, by John Lowerson, published 1983 (Occasional paper; no. 19, 26 pp. & 5 maps, Centre for Continuing Education, University of Sussex, ISBN-10: 0904242226 & ISBN-13: 9780904242225) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503078] & East Sussex Libraries

The Cricketers of Wadhurst: Some random recollections, 1758-1958, by Brian Harwood, published December 1983 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 5 no. 3, article, pp.95-100) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9173] & The Keep [LIB/501191] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

A Post Office Petition, 1820, by Brian Harwood, published June 1985 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 7 no. 1, article, pp.15-16) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [MP 6277] & The Keep [LIB/501193] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

by the Freeholders, Farmers and Tradesmen of the parishes of Ticehurst, Wadhurst and Burwash

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wadhurst, by Oliver Mason, published 1987 (pamphlet, 18 pp., Wadhurst: Parish Church Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11819] & East Sussex Libraries

Wadhurst: Town of the High Weald, by Alan Savidge and Oliver Mason, published April 1988 (160 pp., Meresborough Books, ISBN-10: 0948193352 & ISBN-13: 9780948193354) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

East Sussex Census 1851 Index: Salehurst (including Robertsbridge & Hurst Green), Bodiam & Wadhurst, by June C. Barnes, published May 1988 (vol. 12, booklet, 80 pp., C. J. Barnes & printed at Battle Instant Print Ltd., ISBN-13: 9781870264075) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11241] & The Keep [LIB/503433] & East Sussex Libraries

Records of Weather &c in Wadhurst, by Kate Walter, published December 1988 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 8 no. 4, article, pp.166-167) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10736] & The Keep [LIB/501260] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Old Forge, Wadhurst, by R. Martin, published 1989 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 19, article, pp.37-40, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506526]   Download PDF

James Bassett started his business as a general smith in the 1880s and moved in about 1900 to the present site in Mayfield Lane, Durgates in the Parish of Wadhurst, map reference TQ 630322. Business had by then increased and was expanded to include carriage building and the buildings which still exist were then erected.
These comprise a single storey range containing two forges set back from the road and a two storied block to the north at right angles to the road with its front edge on the road line. Construction generally is of softwood studded walls covered with painted weather-boarding externally with continuous ranges of windows and with corrugated sheet steel roofs. The rear wall of the forges is in 215 mm thick brickwork. A later single storey extension to the rear contains remains of under-floor line shafting by which power from an electric motor was transferred to woodworking machinery. A brick-built cottage adjacent to the forge to the south was built in 1906 and is still occupied by the grandson of the founder.

Field Notes: Bardown Romano-British ironworking site<, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1989 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 9, report, pp.2-8, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

Religious Survey 1851 - Ticehurst district, edited by John A. Vickers, published August 1990 in The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 75, pp.44-50, 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

Ticehurst district incl. Burwash, Etchingham, Salehurst, Wadhurst, Lamberhurst & Frant

Wadhurst - Land Tax 1785, edited by Roger Davey, published 1991 in East Sussex Land Tax, 1785 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 77, pp.205-211, 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

Two Wealden Wrought Iron Hammers, by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1991 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 11, article, pp.9-11, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

Two iron hammer heads bearing common features have been found at locations in the Weald: in The Hawth, a stretch of woodland in the centre of Crawley and at Bartley Mill Farm, Wadhurst. The one from Crawley was discovered by Mr D. Langridge in the roots of a tree in the side of one of the minepits in which The Hawth abounds. The minepits are believed to have been associated with Tilgate Furnace, which operated in the late-16th and 17th centuries. Details of the recovery of the example from Wadhurst are not known.

An Unfestive Occasion, by Maurice Packham, published December 1991 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 9 no. 8, article, pp.283-284) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11999] & The Keep [LIB/501261] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The story of Samuel Bush who was presented to the living of Wadhurst in July 1743

History and Origin of the Surname Hunniisett, by Hedley T. Hunnisett, published December 1992 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 10 no. 4, article, pp.147-152) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14877] & The Keep [LIB/501262] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Author claims that all Hunisetts are descended from John Hunisett of France who settled in Wadhurst. Covers the years 1543 - 1875 and supported by lists of marriages and baptisms.

Henly Furnace (Lower), Wadhurst, by J. F. Berners-Price, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.4-7, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

A three-man visit was paid to this site (TQ 601335: Cleere and Crossley No. 101) in October 1992, prior to a full-scale survey, but so many unanswered problems arose that a further visit, by a larger party, was made in November 1992.

Henly Upper Furnace, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.7-8, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

After the visit to the Lower Furnace (above) the site known as Henly Upper Furnace (TQ 601338: Cleere and Crossley No. 101) was explored. The identification of the Upper bay as a pen-pond for the Lower Furnace cannot be accepted, as water flows along the tributary stream to join the Lower Furnace supply downstream from the latter's bay. Although, in theory, a leat could have been cut between the two streams, none has been found.

Buttons, Wadhurst, by A. Dalton, published 1994 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 14, article, p.3, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506561]   Download PDF

In November 1991, Elizabeth Gibb, Roma Ogilvy-Watson, Liz Fairclough and Anne Dalton went to 'Buttons', where the owners, Mr & Mrs J. Bellingham had found what they thought was slag in their wood.

Filling in the Gaps, by Mrs. Beverley Dwyer, published March 1995 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 11 no. 5, article, p.184) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14878] & The Keep [LIB/501263] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Researching Daniel Baldock (c.1740-1819) of Wadhurst

The Education of Wadhurst, by Kenneth F. Ascott, published 1998 (Book Guils, ISBN-10: 1857762096 & ISBN-13: 9781857762099) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503095] & East Sussex Libraries

Wadhurst - 18c. Schools, edited by John Caffyn, published 1998 in Sussex Schools in the 18th Century (Sussex Record Society, vol. 81, pp.254-255, ISBN-10: 0854450424 & ISBN-13: 9780854450428) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13825][Lib 13828] & The Keep [LIB/500458][Lib/507864] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Scrag Oak (Snape) Furnace, by Paul Collins, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, article, pp.27-28, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570]   Download PDF

The date of construction of the furnace at Scrag Oak is not known. Previously known documentary references date from 1629 when John Barham of Shoesmiths was indicted for carrying iron sows from Snape and Coushopley furnaces to Verredge Forge, without laying down cinders, in the summer of 1628.
The surviving papers from a case heard in Chancery around 1621 add further insights into the operations at the furnace in the early 17th century. The case relates to a dispute between John Barham of Scrag Oak and his brother David. The original complaint by David Barham seems not to have survived, but John's reply and more interestingly the questions put to witnesses and their responses do. From these it seems that the furnace was for 'some many years' occupied by William Barham, the elder brother of John and David. William had died intestate at the end of 1616 and administration was granted to John and David in 1617.

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.

The Registers of Mayfield and Wadhurst, by Maurice Packham, published September 2003 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 15 no. 7, article, pp.309-311) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15249] & The Keep [LIB/508827] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

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.

A most extraordinary Poor Law case, by Michael J. Burchall, published December 2006 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 17 no. 4, article, pp.171-174) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15860] & The Keep [LIB/508988] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

On 17 July 1777 the Justices for East Sussex sitting in Quarter Sessions at Lewes heard a remarkable appeal from the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the parish of Waldron against a local magistrate's order removing the Rev Robert Wilson, clerk, his wife Mary and son John aged about eight from the parish of Wadhurst to that of Waldron. Robert Wilson had married Mary Atwood on 29 April 1768 at Whatlington and they had one child, John.

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, Historic Character Assessment Report, compiled by Roland B. Harris, published September 2007 (Sussex Extensive Urban Survey (EUS), 33 pp. + appendices, E.S.C.C., W.S.C.C. & Brighton and Hove City, funded by English Heritage)   Download PDF

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.

Field Notes: A bloomery in Wadhurst, East Sussex, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2010 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 30, report, pp.3-9, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506577]   Download PDF

Wadhurst, St. Peter & St. Paul - Church monuments, edited by Nigel Llewellyn, published 2011 in East Sussex Church Monuments, 1530-1830 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 93, pp.356-368, 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

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.

Henly and Riverhall Ironworks, published 2016 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 36 (Part I), report, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/509249]

1841 Census vol.15 - Wadhurst, Salehurst and Bodiam, published (no date) by PBN Publications (Ref: BPCQ, CD-ROM)