2026 PROGRAMME OF ILLUSTRATED TALKS
18th MARCH. – THE SWING RIOTS
Steve Duke is a gardener with a passion for local history. He tells a dramatic story of rural revolt in the face of mechanisation in the autumn of 1830.
15th APRIL. – GALE WARNING AND HOT COFFEE
Roy Clare CBE DL. is an experienced speaker and retired Rear Admiral. He will tell us of the naval adventures of Fitzroy, Darwin, and the Beagle.
13th MAY. – AN ILLUSTRATED TALK ON THE WOMEN’S LAND ARMY
Join us for an illustrated talk on the Women’s Land Army by Dr John Godfrey, Sussex historian and academic. The talk will be held at Balcombe Place, the headquarters for this organisation during World War Two. This will be a ticket only event: £5.00 members, £10.00 non-members.
17th JUNE. – THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF JOHN GEORGE HAIGH
Dr Jonathan Oates will give us a portrait of the notorious serial killer, known as the ‘Acid Bath Murderer,’ Haigh had connections to Crawley, Horsham and Lewes.
23rd SEPTEMBER. – A VERY VICTORIAN SCANDAL
Local teacher Andy Revell invites us into the unlikely story of a vicar’s wife, a Brighton fortune teller and a vast fortune, much of which took place in Cuckfield.
21st OCTOBER. – THE WORK OF THE WEALD AND DOWNLAND MUSEUM
Julian Bell is a curator at the museum and will focus on the rescue of the Eastwick dairy at Great Bookham, a recent project.
11th NOVEMBER. – THE MAGIC OF PANTOMIME
A welcome return for Ian Gledhill, who will put us in a festive mood with his inside knowledge of the art of pantomime.
The SIX TALKS WILL BE HELD IN THE VICTORY HALL AT 7.00pm
COMPLEMENTARY TEA AND COFFEE
The TALK ON 13th MAY WILL BE HELD AT BALCOMBE PLACE AT 7.00pm, DOORS OPEN 6.00pm. A LICENSED BAR WILL BE AVAILABLE, AND COMPLEMENTARY TEA AND COFFEE.