On 15 Jun 2008 at 9:28pm Be gentle! wrote:
Good Evening. As an outsider but long term lover of Lewes, I wanted to run an idea past you. I'm in the process of trying to establish the first Museum/Centre, to deal specifically with British Folklore. By that I mean our rich heritage of seasonal customs and traditions as opposed to folk dance and song. Over the years I've attended many Lewes Bonfires and always felt an affinity for the place. I am now in the process of fundraising and also looking to find a town that might benefit from and appreciate such a place. Is this idea something that you think Lewes might welcome?
On 15 Jun 2008 at 9:34pm Kttty cat wrote:
There's no harm in trying Be gentle! Could be interesting. Just have to get your idea past the Friends of Lewes!
On 15 Jun 2008 at 9:55pm Be gentle! wrote:
Thanks, Kitty Cat. Is there someone specific I should float the idea past or just use the contact address on their website?
On 15 Jun 2008 at 10:02pm Local wrote:
I think Lewes would be an excellent place for such a venture - please keep us informed.
On 16 Jun 2008 at 12:13am mint wrote:
h++p://www.friends-of-lewes.org.uk/
On 16 Jun 2008 at 1:59pm Chav wrote:
A museum eh. Do we have to wear sandals and socks to get in?
On 16 Jun 2008 at 5:28pm Scramble wrote:
No Chav, you won't have to visit the museum.
On 16 Jun 2008 at 8:10pm Be gentle! wrote:
Have emailed the 'Friends' so will wait and see.....
On 17 Jun 2008 at 12:36pm sashka wrote:
a wonderful idea. Sussex was bypassed by much of the industrial revolution and its folk traditions survived strongly. Lewes would be an ideal site for such a venture. Please consider us!
Just make sure you consider the parking very carefully, as our planners don't know what they are doing.
On 17 Jun 2008 at 3:05pm therealalekid wrote:
'Sussex was bypassed by much of the industrial revolution'.
Forgetting the Iron and gas works in the town, the seven breweries and all the other industries that were by the river. The fact that Lewes was mainly a working class industrial town for the earlier part of the 20th century and former Lewesians of note such as Wyne Baxter owned many of these industries.
Even after the most brief checking of the historical facts could you describe this town or even the county as being bypassed by the industrial revolution. It seems to me a lot of people have moved into the town and have a picture book view of the town and it's history as if Lewes was some small Utopia that has been isolated to the outsidfe world of commerce, industry etc..
On 17 Jun 2008 at 3:12pm Enoch wrote:
Try talking to Lewes Town Council. I know there are/were plans in the pipeline for a Thomas Paine exhibition next year and a prominent building in Lewes being used. There was also talk of it not only being used for Thomas Paine but for other subjects too in the future.
On 17 Jun 2008 at 3:59pm Local wrote:
Glad you pointed that out therealalekid - I nearly fell out of my hammock when I rwad it.
On 17 Jun 2008 at 4:33pm Heffer wrote:
Indeed! Don't forget the cement and lime Industries - where do you think the chalkpits come from otherwise! - Sussex Iron works, the railways: Brighton railway works [now a block of yuppy flats] was the biggest employer in the town for many years and was turning out new locomotives upto the 50s. Folk traditions may actually be just as strong in the industrialised areas than the rural. We'll see when the museum opens. Best of luck.
But don't worry Sashka - slip of the keyboard I'm sure. wink!
On 17 Jun 2008 at 4:47pm Be gentle! wrote:
Does anyone know what's happening to that large building on Fisher St around the corner from the Town Hall? Might give Oakley a call.
On 17 Jun 2008 at 7:55pm Spinster Of This Parish wrote:
Could be an interesting venture, but please don't let it be sabotaged by Morris Dancing.
On 18 Jun 2008 at 12:25am Be gentle! wrote:
Fear not, there will be a mention of Morris, but with about 720 seasonal festivals to choose from, the Morris will only be a small part. Lewes Bonfire would take up most of it I'm sure....
On 18 Jun 2008 at 9:34am Sashka wrote:
I said 'much of' not 'the'! Lewes did not expand greatly in the C19th like many other County towns, which is why it doesn't have acres of victorian estates. Just look at the expansion of brighton through the same period. Anyway this all shows how interested we all are in proper history so bring on that museum idea.
the Fisher St building has an application to be turned into a restaurant with offices above. a boutique hotel was also hinted at by someone. You might have to get a move on.....
On 18 Jun 2008 at 9:55am Local wrote:
Sahka is right about this - taken all round I think there would be a lot of support and interest.
On 18 Jun 2008 at 10:57am Be gentle! wrote:
I spoke with Oakley earlier and the Fisher St building is under offer sadly. Looks like it will be a restaurant rather than a hotel as they are only taking the lease and not buying.
On 18 Jun 2008 at 11:44am Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
I nearly choked on the straw I was chewing.
On 18 Jun 2008 at 11:46am Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
Oh what joy.
Shall we run a book on what sort of cuisine it'll be?
On 18 Jun 2008 at 12:23pm John "Bulimic" Prescott wrote:
Whatever it is, it will be hard to swallow!
On 18 Jun 2008 at 8:37pm sashka wrote:
please keep looking!
as it is an ex LDC building the cuisine will be fishy.
On 18 Jun 2008 at 9:33pm Cliffebimbo wrote:
Fisher St sold about three months ago and there are plans for it to be a Cocktail lounge/hotel. I personally think this is a great idea and look forward to visiting it.