Thursday, September 20, 2007
30th August. Day out in Ditchling. Sussex.
One day at the end of August we had a day out in Ditchling.
Ditchling has always been popular with visitors and residents fight fiercely to conserve the old looks of the village.
It has always attracted artists and there was once a thriving community of creative people, somewhat unconventional, including Eric Gill. Some people will remeber that I have a picture by Betty Gill who may or may not be connected to Eric. He certainly had a daughter named Betty, but the man who contacted me seemed to be sure that my picture was not painted by his mother.
These days perhaps the most famous resident is Dame Vera Lynn.
We explored parts of the village we had visited before and then found interesting bits that we had never seen before.
Finally we walked at the top of The South Downs above the village.
Bill enjoying a cup of tea whilst waiting for our meal - tasty jacket potatoes and salad.
Another view of Ann of Cleves House.
Very old lock on the door.
Ditchling has always been popular with visitors and residents fight fiercely to conserve the old looks of the village.
It has always attracted artists and there was once a thriving community of creative people, somewhat unconventional, including Eric Gill. Some people will remeber that I have a picture by Betty Gill who may or may not be connected to Eric. He certainly had a daughter named Betty, but the man who contacted me seemed to be sure that my picture was not painted by his mother.
These days perhaps the most famous resident is Dame Vera Lynn.
We explored parts of the village we had visited before and then found interesting bits that we had never seen before.
Finally we walked at the top of The South Downs above the village.
We decided to have some lunch in Dolly's Pantry - we have eaten there before.
The next table was set up for a family birthday celebration. The picture shows the old beams.
Bill enjoying a cup of tea whilst waiting for our meal - tasty jacket potatoes and salad.
After lunch we walked to the parish church. The church is built on a mound above the village. We could look back down at Dolly's Pantry.
The church is dedicated to St. Margaret. It has sturdy walls made of flint.
Opposite the church is an old house, known as Ann of Cleves House; but it is assumed that she never actually stayed there.
Nowadays the house is called Wings Place.
This shows the old house and The South Downs beyond.
Another view of Ann of Cleves House.
Detail of the old house.
Very old lock on the door.
Next time I will share with you the Unitarian Chapel and cottages.
