Eight pages of news from our neighbours.
Category Archives: Saddlescombe
Wreath DIY at Saddlescombe
Create your own Christmas wreath with materials collected from the downs. Take a festive walk and collect your holly and ivy. Return to historic Saddlescombe farm to make your very own Christmas decorations in front of log burning stoves. Mulled apple juice, mince pies and roast chestnuts will be included.
Booking essential. Four sessions available: Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd December 2015, 10:00–12:00, 13:30–15:30; admission £5.00, all ages. More info here.
Local history: making it up
The Guardian published a long report at the end of September about the excavation of a “Hurricane fighter near Beachy Head”. Apparently, “a young Polish pilot crashed into the hills near Beachy Head”. There’s even a photo with the caption “The excavation site near Beachy Head”. This is twaddle — Sergeant Wünsche’s Hurricane came down in a field near Saddlescombe and, unsurprisingly, that is where the recent excavation took place.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also carries a report. They get the location right (“near Saddlescombe Farm in West Sussex”) but their characterisation of the archaeology is, at best, misleading: “A team of archaeologists and historians .. have discovered the remains of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron’s Hurricane. The find was made exactly 75 years after the fighter plane crashed .. on 9 September 1940″ [our emphasis]. In fact, “a major recovery of this crash site was undertaken by the Wealden Aviation Archaeology Group in September 1979. The remains of a shattered Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, propeller hub, head armour and cockpit components including the gun sight were all unearthed” [source]. To its credit, the Guardian article at least notes that “the crash site had been located nearly 40 years ago by amateur archaeologists”.
Sergeant Wünsche survived and returned to combat in 1941. He died in Warsaw in 1980 nearly a year after the original discovery of his Hurricane.
Fungal Foray
Join mycologist Martin Allinson for a day of recording as many species of fungi as possible across Newtimber Hill on Friday 9th October from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Wear suitable clothing and bring lunch. Tea and cake will be served upon return to Saddlescombe. Supervised children are welcome. Booking essential. Click the image for more information.
Saddlescombe Farm Heritage Open Day
Tours of the 17th century Threshing Barn, Tudor Scullery and Donkey Wheel. You can also venture further afield for tours on surrounding Newtimber Hill. Refreshments at the Hiker’s Rest cafe. Children and dogs welcome. Parking £2 — follow signposts near Devil’s Dyke on the day. Sunday 13th September 2015, 10:30am–3:30pm, free admission.
Saddlescombe Farm Open Day
Discover this ancient downland farm that was once owned by the Knights Templars. Tours of the 17th century buildings, the surrounding downs and the walled garden. Displays and demonstrations of traditional work including; hurdle making, shepherding, carpenters’s workshop and more. This year we are [again] delighted to introduce our new farmers Roly and Camilla — so watch out for newly born lambs and their sheep dog Belle. Tea and home-made cakes available.
Sunday 26th April, 10:30am–4:00pm, adult £5, child £2, family £13.