A new pavillion, bridge repairs and an earthquake
70 Years Ago
Sussex Express, 7 May 1954
After Mrs. Hayllar has declared open the new sports pavilion to replace one destroyed by fire two years ago at Fletching recreation ground tomorrow (Saturday), there will be a cricket match between Piltdown and the Camco Works (South Croydon).
The match was arranged by Mr. À. Mander, manager, Sheffield Arms. Fletching.
This visiting team will be lunching at his hotel.
Sheffeld Park Cricket Club who played at Fletching until they lost their equipment In the fire, have not yet been revived. but Piltdown will be making good use of the cricket pitch and new pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays.
Piltdown are entertaining Danehill on Sunday and Danehill are looking forward to seeing the new pavliion.
120 Years Ago
Sussex Express, 7 May 1904
HIGHWAYS.
The Committee have taken into consideration the communication from the County Council on the subject of the repairs to the Mill Bridge at Fletching, and were of opinion that as the traffic over the bridge was not large, it would be unnecessary to spend £7OO upon it, and recommended that if the existing bridge be put on repair, it would be sufficient.
160 Years Ago
Sussex Advertiser, 3 MaY 1864
AN EARTHQUAKE IN SUSSEX
Shortly before midnight on Saturday last, a curious phenomenon was experienced at Maresfield, Sheffield Park, Fletching, Chailey, and the neighbourhood, and which has been attributed to the shock of an earthquake.
As may very naturally be supposed, the occurrence created some degree of alarm at the time, and has since formed the subject of general conversation in the part of the county where it was experienced.
The shock seems to have been confined to a somewhat limited area, and is fortunately unaccompanied any serious results. It was, no doubt, generally felt about the same moment, and although the difference of a few minutes has been stated at various places, this circumstance is probably owing more to the variation of the time as recorded by the owners’ time pieces than any actual difference.
At Maresfield, the phenomenon was experienced at nine minutes past eleven, and is described in a letter from Capt. Noble, as inserted in another column, as an extraordinary vibration lasting 15 seconds, and shaking the doors, windows, and beds at Maresfield Lodge with some violence.
The oscillation and vibration were likewise generally felt throughout the parish. At Sheffield Park, the seat of the Earl of Sheffield, the earthquake was felt by the members of the noble earl’s family and household. The time recorded here is six minutes past eleven.
Among other indications the butler heard the mortar fall behind the wainscot, and a loose bar attached to a window shutter oscillated and struck the shutter. Lord Pevensey and Mr. Douglas Holroyd, who were at Sheffield Park, distinctly felt the shock. At Scaynes Hill, it is stated that the bells at the public-house distinctly vibrated; while at Fletching, the family of Mr. Jones were disturbed by a rumbling noise. Similar sensations were experienced at Buckham Hill and Chailey — more especially two cottages at the latter place, where the shock seems to have been more severely felt.