The Museum's social history collection comprises documents, photographs, books and artefacts relating to the history of the parish of Ditchling. This includes the archive of Ditchling Horticultural Society, established in 1822, and a collection of material on North End School, later Dumbrell's School. Material is held on local families, historic buildings and village societies.
Researching and Telling the History of DitchlingThe History Project was set up by Ditchling Museum Friends' Association in 1999. Volunteers support the museum by studying, researching and collecting the social history of the parish of Ditchling. This information is made available through publications, museum displays, talks and guided walks and through our local history database. Part of this research is to record the oral histories of members of the community, including those associated with the artists and craftsmen.
This year Ditchling History Project has selected for their display examples of the collections and recollections of seven Ditchling residents. The aim is to give visitors, from both the local and wider community, a taste of the museum's social history collection. Often focusing on a particular moment, or giving a personal view, this material opens a window onto life in Ditchling during the first half of the 20th century adding colour and texture to local research.
The 'seven views' belong to :
Frank Goddard whose oral reminiscence recalls growing up in the village during the First World War
Gerard Meynell, the printer and friend of Edward Johnston, who in 1920 produced The Beacon, a weekly village news sheet
Esther Meynell, who wrote about her Ditchling houses and the local craftsmen in her Sussex books and Sussex Cottage in particular
George Thomas who kept a diary detailing life on his farm and in the Home Guard during the Second World War.
Rev Arthur Crookshank, vicar of Ditchling from 1944-1958 who made a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about the village during that time
Fred Wood was the villager builder, naturalist and author who had his own 'museum of curiosities', now in the Museum collection
Phyllis Edwards was the postmistress who collected local and family photographs now donated to the museum.
The Listed Buildings of Ditchling
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
A Self-Sufficient Community
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
War time memories of local people including Dame Vera Lynn
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
A collection of A5 occasional papers showing how the determined efforts of villagers have preserved this downland village and retained a spirit of community. Titles include The Village Hall, The Village Green, The Recreation Ground, The War Memorial, The Scout Headquarters, Ditchling Allotments, The Southdown Estate, Francis Collins Norton.
Price £2.50 plus £1 postage and packaging
A self guided walk rich with anecdote and social history takes you on a fascinating journey through Ditchling's past, meeting the people who have shaped the village we know today, including the many artists and craftsman who made Ditchling their home.
Price £4.00 + £1.00 postage & packing (Eur + £2.00 p&p; USA + £3.50 p&p)
Local research can sometimes supplement information held at the County Record Offices such as Parish Records and Census returns.
East Sussex Record Office online
West Sussex Record Office online
Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard have been transcribed into a document which is available by appointment for consultation to help locate a particular grave. Some of the Ditchling craftsmen are buried in the churchyard or cemetery where lettering by Gill, Cribb and others can be seen.
All enquiries should be made in writing or by email to:
Ditchling History Project,
Ditchling Museum,
Church Lane,
Ditchling
BN6 8TB
or email
If a visit to the museum is planned in connection with family history research this should be booked in advance.
Please note that members of the Ditchling History Project are volunteers who are only able to deal with enquiries in their own free time.
If you are interested in joining the group, or are researching some aspect of local history yourself, you can contact us at the above address.
