Mayfield and Five Ashes Village News

MAYFIELD BONFIRE SOCIETY HISTORY

The Brilliant and Fascinating History of the Mayfield Bonfire Carnival! In September 1556, when catholic Queen Mary I was on the English throne, four men were burned at the stake in Mayfield. Their crime? Refusing to renounce their Protestant faith and return to the Roman Catholic Church. You can see a memorial for them just outside Colkins Mill Church. Queen Mary later became known as ‘Bloody Mary’ because of the three hundred Protestant executions that were authorised under her short two and a half reign. Interestingly, there are some who say that the Bloody Mary cocktail was named after Queen Mary I. Sussex Bonfire Societies were formed to commemorate these burning of Protestants who did not renounce their faith were publicly burnt at the stake, and Mayfield had four such martyrs who were burnt on 24th September 1556. They were John Hart, Thomas Ravendale, a currier (or leather specialist) and shoemaker and two others believed to be Nicholas Holden, a weaver, and an unnamed currier. Burnings were carried out in public before large crowds and could involve horrible and prolonged suffering. Martyrs’ friends were allowed to hang gunpowder around his or her neck, in the hope that the gunpowder would explode and hasten death, but this did not always work. To commemorate these horrific deaths, the Mayfield Bonfire Society carries four burning crosses at the start of their procession and finishes the evening with a display of fireworks. Many of the Bonfire Societies of today wear jumpers with a ringed or hooped pattern, known as Guernsey’s or Stripes, with each society wearing their own colours. Mayfield's stripes are black and turquoise. There are two theories as to why this might be. The firstly is that the jumpers were inspired by the striped shirts of the Sussex Smugglers – a multitude of gangs who ruled the East Sussex coastline in the 1700’s. Mayfield itself was a base for a powerful company of Smugglers, with its leader Gabriel Tomkins claiming to smuggle a very impressive 11 tons of tea and coffee a year. The second theory is that, as Bonfire Society celebrations became more popular, busy, and sometimes riotous, it would be particularly difficult for the authorities to single anyone out for punishment if everyone wore the same and also partially “blacked” their faces and wore neckerchiefs to further hinder identification. Recently there has been some controversy about the traditional view that three more local people, William Maynard, Thomasina Wood and Alexander Hosman were burnt, alongside seven others, on 22nd June 1557, outside the Star Inn at the top of Cliffe Hill in Lewes. Maynard is said to have been a member of an ancient family at Mayfield, and Thomasina a native of Mayfield, a maid in his service. In a book on Mayfield by Miss E.M. Bell Irving, one can read a quotation from “The Register of Martyrs” published in 1559, which deals with this event in rhyme: When William Maynard, his maid and man, Margery Morris and her son, Dennis Burgess, Stevens and Woodman, Groves’ wife and Ashdon’s to death were done, When one fire at Lewes brought them to death, We wished for our Elizabeth” (Taken from www.sussexmartyrs.co.uk) However, a local historian, Tim Cornish, argues that the only evidence for this is an assertion by M.A. Lower in 1851 that Maynard and Wood were names current in our village. Lower's claims should be discredited and a generous assessment of him in the Dictionary of National Biography says: “His enthusiasms may have outrun his judgement”. According to the Privy Council, William Maynard was arrested in “Ashrridge” in Kent and burned in Lewes along with two of his servants, Alexander Hosmer from Rotherfield and Thomasina Wood. Ashridge is probably Ashurst, where Maynard was accused of “preaching seditiously in corners”. Two others, of the four who were burned in Mayfield itself, came from nearby Withyham. It seems likely that outlaws crossed the county and diocesan boundary of the Medway to avoid capture. Our village was probably chosen for the executions of others as a place where the authorities felt secure, well away from where the victims lived. It is so important to keep this history alive, and keep the tradition of the Mayfield Carnival going. You can help by getting in touch and being involved in many ways, either with the Society on the night, during the year helping with fundraising activities that raise the money to stage the carnival, or by joining the walking group that attends other societies events. MAYFIELD CARNIVAL September 21 2024 6-10pm: Mayfield Carnival Procession 2024 - Road Closures. As usual, most roads in the village will be closed to all vehicles. Road Closures begin at 6pm and affect Tunbridge Wells Road, High Street, Fletching Street (down to Alexandra Terrace junction), East Street (to Sandy Lane junction), The Avenue, and Station Road (including the junction with Stone Cross and Love Lane). Some roads will be opened to traffic once the procession has passed, but the High Street and parts of Tunbridge Wells Road will remain closed until 11.30pm, or until it is safe to open them. Please respect the Barrier Marshals as most of them are volunteers giving up their time for this fantastic community event, and they have direct communication to the Police control centre covering the event. This is an official Road Closure Order and if contravened may result in prosecution by the Police. For visitors, parking will be possible along one side of the Tunbridge Wells road, and this road will become one-way, heading away from the village, from 9pm. COMMEMORATION 6.45pm. There will be a service to remember the dead at the War Memorial, where a wreath will be laid accompanied by a short Eulogy, followed by a minute’s silence and lighting of the fiery Poppies. This year we will include a memorial to commemorate Ukraine’s fallen. PROCESSIONS and PARKING: FIRST PROCESSION 7.15pm. Forms up along Station Road (Bands form up in the top of West Street), lights up at the Horse trough, then proceeds up the High Street, down Fletching Street, and stops at the Rose & Crown. SECOND PROCESSION 8.15pm. Leaves the Rose and Crown, up Fletching Street, down the High Street, along Station Road to beyond Old Lane, and then turns on itself and returns up Station Road to stop just before the Horse trough. For this reason the full width of Station Road will be required to allow the procession to pass itself. Vehicles in the procession will continue to the junction with Love Lane and turn there. GRAND PROCESSION 9.15pm. Lights up at the Horse trough, proceeds up the High Street and around to the gates of Court Meadow where it de-torches. We are asking residents and visitors to please observe the parking restrictions in order to allow an unobstructed procession and avoid damage to parked vehicles. Please do not park anywhere on the procession routes (see map). We cannot accept responsibility for any damage to vehicles or property left on the procession route. FIREWORKS 9.45pm: The fireworks display will commence as soon as the end of the procession has cleared the Court Meadow gates, which we anticipate will be around 9.45pm. Please note no fireworks are permitted by members of the public at our event. PARISH GRANTS Parish Council Grants: If you are planning to apply for a grant in2024/25, the latest date your applicationand requested financial information must be submitted is 30th September 2024.Our grants policy can be found on the Parish Council websitewww.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk in the “KeyDocuments / Finance” section along withthe application form. If you do not haveinternet access, please contact the ParishCouncil office on 873784 or email:[email protected].

MAYFACS Monthly TripsThursday, 3rd October. Visit the historic town of Battle £10. Thursday, 7th November. Annual shopping trip to Bluewater £10. Thursday, 5th December. Christmas bowling trip £17. Please visit our website: www.mayfacs.org.uk for updates of weekly activities or contact us at the MAYFACS Office on:01435 873888. You can also join our monthly eNewsletter mailing list to get full details on everything that we do to support our community by contacting: [email protected] YOUTH and DEMENTIA SUPPORT: We have been developing our website and now have specific areas focusing on Youth Support and Dementia Support available to everyone within our community and the surrounds. This is on top of signposting for financial and other support. Please do visit our website if you need any advice or help, or come into the office and chat with the team. “Living With Dementia” Training Available for up to 24 people on Living with Dementia over a 2-part session (4hr per session). This training is open to anyone wanting to know more about living with dementia, and supporting MAYFACS and our community in being more dementia friendly. Suitable for businesses, local organisations, community groups, schools and individuals. Both sessions must be attended and will take place on afternoons in September and October. If you would like to find out more about this, please contact: [email protected] THE ARTS SOCIETY WEALDEN: Our talks begin again in September, with another exciting annual programme lined up. We would very much welcome new members from Mayfield and Five Ashes. Our meetings are held at the Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield, TN21 OXG at 2.15pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Tea is servedafter the talk. If you wish to apply for membership, please email the MembershipSecretary, John Larum at: [email protected]. For queries, please contact AnneGreenaway on: 01435 408635. Tuesday, 8th October - Steven Barrett – ‘Art, to Smile or not to Smile.’ Tuesday, 12th November - Sarah Ciacci – ‘The Profitable Art of Flattery 2024: Reynolds, Gainsborough & Portraiture in the 18th Century.’ Tuesday, 10th December - Patrick Craig – ‘Entertaining Angels Unawares – Angels in the Bible.’ We very much looking forward to seeing both current members and new faces: www.theartssocietywealden.org.uk

WADHURST BOWLS CLUB:Wadhurst Bowls, as a club, continues to make great strides and is pleased to be able to say that following our Open Day, another 19 members have joined the club making a total membership of 67 - our highest for many years. People obviously know a good thing when they see it! In fact, we have had so many new members in such a short space of time that we have been able to set up their own competition - imaginatively entitled ‘The Newbie Cup’, people playing bowls all at once and encompassing several generations too. Today’s young whippersnapper is tomorrow’s bowls champion.

WADHURST AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB (NAFAS) The Flower Club meets on the first Thursday of most months at 1.45pm at Stonegate Village Hall where the adjacent car park enables easy access to the venue. The annual membership fee is £45.00 which covers insurance, hall hire and most importantly the Demonstrators’ fees, plus an entrance fee of £3.00 per meeting to cover refreshment costs. During the year a programme of inspiring demonstrations, delicious lunches and creative workshops is arranged. Come and join us to discover the joy and pleasure flowers can bring to your life; no experience required. For more information, please contact Sonia: 01892 785671 or Debbie: 01435 882851 NETBALL SESSIONS IN MAYFIELD: Every Thursday - 7-8pm - £8 – Mayfield Girls School PH Netball is all about bringing the community together for some fun netball. Our evening sessions are aimed at ladies who fancy getting out of the house to meet new people, play a bit of netball and have fun. Players must be over 18, however our average age is around 30-65. You don’t need to be fit or have ever played before. We welcome all abilities! Come and join us: [email protected]. For more information and to see what other adult and kids’ programmes are available – please visit: www.phnetball.com MAYFIELD EVENING W.I.: We meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at Colkins Mill Church, just at the end of the High Street. Please feel free to pop in at any one of our evenings and meet us all. For any further information, please contact Chrissie Robinson: 01435 862825 FRIENDS OF ST. DUNSTAN’S: We will hold the Friends of St. Dunstan’sAGM on Thursday 21st November at 6pmin St. Dunstan’s Church. All are welcomeand we will also serve light refreshments.The Charity’s remit is focused exclusivelyon raising funds for the preservation andmaintenance of the church building and itwas set up as a charitable trust to enableeveryone in the village and beyond tocontribute towards this goal. We have sofar raised around £250,000 and projectsinclude the repair of the ancient timbers inthe church tower, restoration of marblememorials, the cleaning of stained-glasswindows, the re-leading of the chancelroof, the installation of French drains andmuch more. Contact: Annette Nabavi Chairman, Friends of St. Dunstan’s Parish Church: 01435 873476

SCOUT AND GUIDES SUPPORTERS COMMITTEE: Are you looking for something to do in the Mayfield and Five Ashes Community? If so, the Supporters’ Committee of the Dennis Blurton Mayfield Scout and Guide Hall would love to hear from you. We are a small band of dedicated volunteers who support all the uniformed Sections of the Group (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer) with any requirements that they may have. We also administer and maintain The Scout Hall premises in good order for the Scout Group's use primarily but also for the use of the wider Mayfield Community. This is even more relevant at present in the absence of The Memorial Hall. If you’d like to find out more information, please do ring our Chairman, Andrew Firrell, on: 01435 883253 or our Secretary, Nicky Higgins, on: 01435 873054