Sissinghurst talk for history group lecture

Adam Nicolson will speak on

The History of Sissinghurst at the society’s annual public lecture on Thursday March 21 in the Battle Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

Dating from medieval times and extensively altered in the sixteenth century, Sissinghurst has a fascinating history.

Over the last 600-700 years it has been visited by Edward I and Elizabeth I, became a prisoner of war camp in the eighteenth century, was turned into a workhouse and at one time was even used to provide accommodation for labourers.

But the story of Sissinghurst did not end there.

In the 1930s the house and grounds were purchased by author and socialite Vita Sackville West and her husband, diplomat and politician Sir Harold Nicolson.

Colourful and unconventional characters in their own right, they worked together to restore the house and went on to add to the history of Sissinghurst by creating the now- famous gardens.

Their grandson Adam Nicolson has built on this work by restoring, with the National Trust, traditional Wealden agriculture on the Castle Farm.

Adam Nicolson has published extensively, notably on the English gentry and their part in the development of English society and on the making of the King James Bible.

All are welcome as this will be a public lecture.

Those wishing to reserve a seat should ring 01424 772695 or email [email protected]

Non-members of the society will be asked to pay an entrance fee of £5 at the door which.

After the society’s expenses, the entry fee will be donated to the lecturer’s preferred charity, the National Deaf Children’s Society, for which there will also be a collection after the lecture.

Doors open at 7pm.