This talk (and virtual Zoom walk) explores half a millennium of Steyning's liquid history. This old market town, situated below the South Downs of Sussex, on the northern edge of the National Park, was originally bounded by two chalk streams. These provided the water that eventually supported two breweries. The streams are still there, though the breweries have gone, but building and documentary evidence survives. This talk shows where malthouses, breweries, inns and public houses were situated in the past, and also reveal something of the historic pubs that remain. The White Horse, the Chequer, the Norfolk Arms and the Star are still here, and we look forward to their re-opening before too long. You will hear something of their history on the way round. The talk is set within the background of drinking establishments in Sussex. I spent ten years going into pubs in order to produce my PhD...see www.sussexhistorytalks.co.uk
Views: 933 | Enquiries: 1I am an independent historian, giving illustrated talks in Sussex (sometimes nipping into Surrey and Kent) for 35 years. I have a PhD in early-modern Sussex inn and tavern history and give more general talks about the history of English inn signs as well as those in Sussex. I am at present looking at the art of the inn sign. My MA dissertation is about Elizabethan courtier (or con-man!) Sir Thomas Sherley of Wiston House (West Sussex). I worked as Archivist at Lancing College, also teaching local history and palaeography in adult education at the University of Sussex. I am President of the Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society. I am a member of the Wealden Buildings Study Group, and am particularly interested in the ritual protection of the home. I hold a Diploma in English Local History and speak on a variety of subjects connected with Sussex and the South-East, some covering other parts of England - see the variety of talks listed on my website - www.sussexhistorytalks.co.uk - I have given many talks using ZOOM and can also host sessions. Due to my interest in and knowledge of inns, taverns and alehouses and all manner of drinking establishments in England, I have been in more pubs than most people - mainly for research purposes...
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