Villagenet - Letters

Dr Turner	Referring to the section on Winchelsea, Sussex, I would be fascinated to know where you derive your suggestion that Deadman's Lane at Winchelsea was where plague victims were buried? I was born and grew up in Winchelsea and have been a student of the local history for many years. I have never come across this story before and, I suspect, for good reason. For anyone familiar with Winchelsea, it's environs and in particular with Deadman's Lane, the concept is absurd! Why would the surviving citizens of a plague devastated mediaeval town choose to sink a common grave 8 to 10 feet down into solid rock when soft earth was available? It could only have been done with vast expenditure of effort, at a time when when there was a dearth of manpower available. (Worse yet, it would have been a lengthy operation when there was a compelling requirement to get piles of rotting bodies underground as soon as possible). Why would they choose a site so close to habitations? Why would they ignore flat sites with easily trenchable earth and clay close by and choose instead to dig this "grave" on a steep rocky slope, so that one end is perhaps 20 to 25 feet higher than the other? Above all else, why on earth would they have dug it so that the lower end opened out onto what is now flat land but was then the shoreline of a sheltered estuary? The effluvia from the decomposing bodies would have seeped out of the lower end of the cut and contaminated the waters of one of the most important ports in the kingdom. We may not think much of the cerebral capacities of our ancestors but I think we have to give them credit for rather more common sense than that! I would further point out that Winchelsea is the proud possessor of a large, circular, tree covered mound in the open fields on the south end of town close to the New Gate. This site, ( which, incidentally, is as far from the inhabited area as it is possible to get and still be on the hill - not a trivial consideration for a mass grave!) has always been known to local folk as "The Plague Pit". Of course, there is no proof that it was the burying place for plague victims but it is clearly man-made, and is at least a credible location. Folk memory does tend to be both long and accurate. My understanding from reading the literature on Winchelsea is that the name Deadman's Lane was coined after one of the great French raids on the town in the 14th century. At that time, St Gile's Church stood above this deep track down to the shoreline. The French, breaking into the town, caught many people at mass in the church on Sunday (although I wonder if they were not merely seeking sanctuary there) and slaughtered them, tossing many of the bodies down into the lane. They were found there after the French had vacated the sacked and burned town and survivors crept back to face the devastation. Again, impossible to prove but it does have some provenance, having been quoted in print for at least the last two hundred years. Might I suggest that you check this story on your website and consider some revision? The current explanation really makes no sense and is at odds with both published commentary and local knowledge.
H. Weaver	It's 5 am on what looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here in Burwash - except the air outside is so foul with bonfire smoke that I cannot open any windows to enjoy what should be fresh morning air. In fact I was woken by the fact that the air in my bedroom was becoming unbreathable because I had my window open. In the last 12 days the air in this village has been really unpleasant to the point of being unbreathable on 5 occasions, each lasting at least 6 hours, because of bonfires. Mostly the bonfires get lit around 5pm and pollute the air for the rest of that evening. This morning is unusual in that last night's fire is still burning and is far worse than last night. I'm getting really sick of this situation - it's summer - I don't want to have to keep all my windows and garden doors firmly closed in an attempt to prevent the smoke coming into the house - which is futile anyway - it gets into the house anyway. I find it ironic that I lived in London for many years but find that the air in Burwash is far more polluted, not because of traffic but because thoughtless people are regularily setting open fires in their gardens. I'm not a militant person by nature but this situation is driving me to action, I think Burwash has the right to breathe clean air and that we should do something about this state of affairs. What do you think?
Edward Millichap	I am surprised to read Mr Wilson's comments on the Sub-Title of the East Sussex site. Not far from Frant, at Saxonbury, one of the earliest ironworking sites in the UK has been identified. And, has he never been for a walk across the park? Every depression, on a wet day, is filled with red water, red because of the iron in the soil.
Simon @ VillageNet	Many thanks to Southern FM, for their coverage of our enterprise in their news on Feb 22nd .
Simon @ VillageNet	Many thanks to the Rye and Battle Observer, for their coverage of our enterprise in their Feb 19th Issue.
Wendy from Robertsbridge	Congratulation to Mike & Jo in Robertsbridge on the birth of their daughter Melissa.
Anonymous	Why is my local Public House not on your pages? Is it because the publican is too tight to put his hand in his pocket!?.
Simon @ Villagenet	If you would like to see a business from your area on our site, why not tell the owner it exists, and you think it is a good idea. We appreciate any comments you would make.
Mr Wilson from Frant	Why have you decided to name this attractive part of East Sussex with the nickname of "Iron Country" which implies slag heaps and the North of England? Apart from the name, my wife, daughter and I spent a long time on your site, and thought it was an excellent idea. Why are there no Estate Agents on your site, it would seem the ideal media?
Simon @ Villagenet	We named the area "Iron Country", because this area was the centre of the Iron Industry before the use of coke furnaces. Also we felt that the area being just on the edge of 1066 country, needed to be separated from the Hastings and Bexhill area to have a chance to attract tourists in its own right, hence helping the local economy. We have an Estate Agent currently preparing an advert, this will be available soon.
Can You Help ?	We have had some requests from Visitors from abroad regarding their Genealogy.
Mrs Bolt from Australia	My grandfather was called Henry Fiveash, and I wondered if he originated from Five Ashes, does anyone know if there was a family called Fiveash in the area from around the turn of the century, or is there someone or somewhere I can contact to find out.
Mr Cripp from Ireland	Does anyone know if a family called Cripp came from Cripps Corner, or where the name originated from, as I believe that my ancestors came from here.
Simon @ Villagenet	We have limited information regarding the Cripps Corner area, If you have any history that you would like to see on this page please e-mail us.
Simon @ Villagenet	Finally Many thanks to ELLERBURN@aol.com regarding the accuracy of the Staplecross and Ewehurst Entries. I'm afraid we have not been able to reply by e-mail, as your ISP has not allow it.