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This site was produced by: LOCAL
AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View
more Official Guides at www.officialguides.co.uk |
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Uckfield has a long history and many historical buildings. Holy
Cross Church has records going back about 8 centuries, although
the church building itself was rebuilt during the 19th century.
The Churchyard is well preserved with old brick walls in which grows
abundant yellow corydalis, and a pigeon coop made from the timber
of a giant cedar of Lebanon that fell in the 1987 hurricane force
winds. The Church Centre was the Parochial School, and still retains
the Victorian school character.
Further information regarding the history of Uckfield and its buildings
is well documented in the many publications about Uckfield and can
be found in the library or from the Uckfield and District Preservation
Society at Bridge Cottage
Due to its location Uckfield was a central point for many trade
routes across the South and as far back as1637 coach carriers linked
Uckfield and London on what until 1752 was the main Lewes-London
road. By 1805 a daily route to London was established and by 1828
a route twice a week to Maidstone.
In and around the town many buildings conceal medieval timber frames
beneath later bricks and tiles and await study. From tree-ring analysis,
Bridge Cottage dates from 1436 and several High Street shops may
be of similar age. Around the entrance to Church Street were hostelries
named the Red Lion (now Just So Bar formerly The Maiden’s
Head), King’s Head and Spread Eagle. These were likely venues
for local administration, including magistrates’ sessions
by 1594 and inquests by 1608.
The Upper Ouse Navigation river improvement reached Shortbridge
only in 1793, but proved uneconomic for transporting goods as Uckfield
was two miles away and the venture lost to the cheaper, faster railway.
The advent of the railway brought more development to the lower
half of the High Street with new properties and detached villas
built along London Road and New Town and a variety of housing around
Framfield Road, Ridgewood and Ringles Cross. The corn market grew
and another for livestock started. The new cemetery, with twin chapels,
on Snatts Road opened in 1884.
Some of the historical buildings were provided by local benefactors,
the late Anthony Saunders, rector of Buxted endowed the school,
which in 1718 evolved into the Grammar School (closed 1930) and
National (later Parochial) School, sited next to the church for
over a century from 1850. The Streatfeild family also had great
influence for nearly two centuries. From 1865 until death in 1931,
Richard James Streatfeild chaired the Urban District Council (to
last forty years) from 1895, made up of many prominent Uckfield
figures such as the postmaster Samuel Avis, the famous solicitor
Charles Dawson, the draper and grocer William Dendy and Edwin Kenward
the miller. Streatfeild provided the Cottage Hospital (lately redeveloped
as Hughes Way) and, with others, the Public Hall used for council
and court business before its conversion to the library.
The Streatfeild Family again assisted by establishing the Victoria
Pleasure Ground and a temperance club. In Victorian times, bands,
the carnival and horticultural shows rose to the prominence they
maintain to this day.
The Uckfield Picture House survived into the twentieth century after
overcoming early competition from the 1930s Playhouse.
Council housing appeared pre-war around Framfield Road and post-war
at Church Coombe. Development on Manor Park in the 1960s, Rocks
Park in the 1970s, and more recently on West Park and Harlands Farm
has transformed Uckfield into a thriving town. New development has
seen the cattle market close; the Agricultural College give way
to the convent. The Union Workhouse (later High View House sheltered
accommodation) and Uckfield House have been demolished and shops
replace landmarks like the Bell Hotel, White Rails cottages and
the original bus station.
Hempstead Mill, the Water Tower and parish poorhouse have new lives
as dwellings, while the Roller Mill was converted to offices. Many
of Uckfield’s older buildings retain nameplates, dates and
initials to catch the notice of thoughtful strollers.
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Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication
and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct,
the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any
inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any
format, without permission, is strictly forbidden.All the photographs
in this booklet were taken by:“Lockeyear Photography”,
Uckfield Town Council,
Uckfield Festival,
Uckfield Farmers Market,
The Uckfield and District Preservation Society,
HillPhotographic@aol.com (Ron Hill),
Lawson Commercial,
the Church community
and Nick Martin
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