The Lodsworth Heritage Society is delighted to announce that Richard Hodgson, owner with his wife Lucy of the Kevis House Gallery in Lombard Street Petworth will be the autumn speaker on Thursday 20 November. At the Village Hall at 7 for 7.30 pm. Richard will give a richly illustrated talk about the highly regarded artist Gwenda Morgan (1908-1991). Gwenda Morgan lived her entire life in Petworth, including six years on local farms as a WWII Land Girl. Her distinctive wood engravings were inspired by the landscapes and buildings of the Petworth area. She was a reticent figure, so although her work was praised by critics, she remained less well known during her life than her contemporaries. She was described “an artist of nature, who lives, observes and interprets life with dexterity and genius”. As well as the images on the screen during the talk, some of Morgan’s original prints will be also on display.

FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER, 10.30AM, GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF PETWORTH

Miles Costello, one of the most knowledgeable and expert local historians in Petworth, where he has lived all his life,  kindly agreed to give members of the LHS a 90 minute walking tour of the town to point out and describe some of it’s most interesting, but less well-known, buildings and features.  Our walk took us round the outer walls to parts of Petworth we wouldn’t normally reach.  The weather and views were stunning and we heard details of the House of Correction for miscreants who sometimes carved their initials in one of the walls. We went past Petworth Museum and the row of  cottages provided by the Leconfield estate for workers’ widows. We looked into St Mary the Virgin Church and walked along past the old graveyard towards Petworth House and back into town.

TUESDAY 26 AUGUST: 6 PM, AN EXPLORATION OF THE RIVER ROTHER WITH LECONFIELD ESTATE BAILIFF ANDREW THOMPSON

The Society arranged this special visit to see the work and rewilding by the Leconfield Estate along the River Rother, led by the Estate’s River Bailiff Andrew Thompson. Andrew gave a talk on his work at the Petworth Festival on 17 July, when he outlined the river’s recent history and its place in the community and landscape. Prior to the River Rother walk, Society members enjoyed a visit to the archeological excavation at Rotherbridge Lane where archaeologists are excavating ancient droveways unique to this area of Sussex. This visit to the River Rother was a great opportunity to see first hand and privately the conservation and sustainability work Andrew is leading for the Leconfield Estate.    

Peter Sankey enjoyed a spot of fishing at the end of the walk.

TUESDAY 24 JUNE: VISIT TO CHAMPS HILL SOUTH DOWNS ART EXHIBITION, AND GARDENS

A private visit  from 230pm to the wonderful gardens and exhibition/concert hall at Champs  Hill, near Fittleworth, to see the exhibition ‘ Seeing the Downs’, an exhibition of the later paintings of South Downs artist Peter Iden. Lodsworth resident and artist Jenny Tyson, who knew Peter Iden,  kindly agreed to introduce the exhibition. There was also an opportunity to visit the beautiful gardens at Champs Hill, which also contains a number of sculptures. 

THURSDAY 5 JUNE: AGM, followed by SHIPWRECK RECOVERIES  BY LODSWORTH RESIDENT

At 7 for 730pm the short AGM, followed by distinguished deep water search and shipwreck discovery specialist David Mearns in conversation with Martin Lester about his work and his recent Award of the OBE. Lodsworth resident David has been involved with some of the most famous and historic deep-sea shipwreck recoveries and investigations, including HMS Hood, the Australian ship HMAS Sydney, and the discovery of a shipwreck from a voyage by Vasco da Gama in the 16th century. He is currently involved in work on the rescue of artefacts from the Windrush ship.