Wealden Buildings Study Group: Programme of autumn-winter-spring indoor meetings
Our autumn-winter-spring meetings offers lectures and discussions on vernacular building recording topics. All are designed to be both entertaining and educational.
Unless stated otherwise, physical meetings are at Wivelsfield Church Hall, Church Lane, RH17 7RD.
Saturday 18th October 2025 11:45 Physical Meeting at Wivelsfield Church Hall, Church Lane, RH17 7RD.
Dr Janet Pennington: “Cakes & Ale: ‘A Full English’ in your 17th Century Local?”
This talk will cover much of Sussex, as well as surrounding counties. The differences between the types of drinking establishments from 1550 to 1750 will be explained and illustrated, while documentary and other sources will provide evidence for the food and drink retailed and consumed within them, showing how these provisions were supplied. We will hear the reactions from travellers (not always good!) and local customers to what was on offer, together with the lifestyles of the innkeepers, both male and female.
Christopher Reynolds: “The Secrets of Surrey’s Pubs: Challenges in Typology and Survival”
The talk focuses on the challenges of identifying historic inns and pubs based on building archaeology and unexpected evidence which is now coming to light. The talk will consider what it really means to be a historic inn or public house and the evolution of these buildings from the medieval period. The aim is to identify a series of features which may indicate an inn or pub before looking at some current challenges which have arisen for those with an interest in recording vernacular buildings.
There is no cost for WBSG members attending these talks.
The talks are open to the Public, at a cost of £5. Hot drinks and biscuits are provided at the physical meetings, but please bring a packed lunch
Guests at Physical meetings can pay at the door, for guests wanting to book for the Zoom talks please use the ‘contact us’ button at the top to request payment details.