West Sussex Archives Society

The West Sussex Archives Society will be holding its annual conference at the Barnham Community Centre on Saturday, October 24 with the theme this year of Sussex writers.

Spokesman Leigh Lawson said: “For the best part of three centuries many writers have found inspiration in the Sussex landscape. Many of these writers were born outside of the county and yet found something about Sussex which spurred their creativity.

“That great writer on the Sussex landscape, Peter Brandon, sadly died in 2011 whilst he was still working on what his final book – Sussex Writers in Their Landscape. The book was finally edited and completed by Professor Brian Short, emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex. We are delighted that Professor Short will the opening speaker at the conference talking about what it was that drew so many writers to Sussex.

“Well-known local historian Chris Hare will be talking about the writer and naturalist Richard Jefferies, who lived for a few years at Goring-By-Sea, till his death in 1887. Doug Nicholls, chairperson of the Blake Cottage Trust, will talking about the writer and poet William Blake and his years living at Felpham. Historian Ellen Cheshire will be talking about H G Wells, who grew up in Midhurst, and Mike Kipling will be giving a talk on Rudyard Kipling, who lived in Sussex for forty years.

“None of these writers were born in Sussex yet the county would provide inspiration for many of their writings, stories and poems. For anyone with a love of literature, this is a conference not to be missed. In addition, there will be stands featuring a number of local societies and a second-hand bookstall.

“Full details can be found on the West Sussex Archives Society website: www.wsas.co.uk.”