Sussex Snippets

A miscellaneous collection of just a few of the delights that await the reader of Snake River Press books.

Wonderful Walls
Anyone who travels around Sussex will soon notice the large variation in flintwork used in the county's buildings. Once you begin to identify the multitude of techniques used by builders you will never look at a wall in the same way again! Here are just a few terms used for different styles.

Cobbled: unknappped pebbles laid in straight, even rows, or courses, to make a wall. The pebbles tend to lean in one or another direction - a slant left indicates a right-handed layer, a slant to the right, a left-handed one.

Random-Knapped: knapped flints used in random sizes, giving a characterful wall that needs careful laying.

Random-Semi-Knapped: roughly knapped flints used in random sizes, resulting in a wall that looks instantly aged.

Poachers and Poaching
An idle flick through the pages of A Dictionary of Sussex Dialect by the Reverend W.D. Parish never fails to yield an etymological gem. For instance the great man tells us that 'Poach' refers to treading the ground into holes, as cattle do in winter. It derives from the French 'pocher', to thrust or poke.

'The word poacher evidently has the same derivation; the sportsman regards his game his own, but the poacher intrudes, or pokes into the property of another. People frequently talk of poached eggs, as if they had been stolen, instead of delicately cooked (as they ought to be) in potches or bags of wire or muslin.'

Hedges of Distinction
Following the fresh unfurling leaves of spring and the ripe fruits of summer, our Sussex hedgerows become an even lovelier sight as autumn approaches. From early September look out for country lanes bounded by hedges full of rose hips, sloes and hawthorn berries and also take note of how the hedge was originally planted and has been subsequently maintained.

Sadly, the proper laying of a hedge is a skill too rarely seen today. A layered hedge is made by taking stakes from the old growth and weaving the rest between them, to make a solid structure. In different parts of the county 'layering' was interchangeable with 'splashing' or 'splishering'. The term 'splisher' could also mean to bury the cut stakes in the ground in the hope that they would take root to grow in the new hedge

In the north and west of the county a 'rossel' is the term for a quick-layered hedge, while in the east Weald it refers to a raddle, or woven, fence; in the Downs it is a low wall.

Cabbages and Kings
Annually, on St James' Day, 25th July, a fair is held in the tiny Sussex hamlet of Ebernoe, 8 kilometres north of Petworth. A ram is roasted and a cricket match played between Ebernoe and a rival village. The ram's symbolic horns are then presented to whichever batsman knocks up the most runs (a strange ancient tradition connected with the dark arts of scoring, seduction and dressing up). For the more practically minded, Ebernoe Fair Day is also when gardeners are reminded to do a different type of seed sowing and get their spring cabbages in.

Garden Notes

We know from the success of 20 Sussex Gardens and Inspiring Sussex Gardeners, both by Lorraine Harrison, that many Snake River Press readers are keen gardeners. With that in mind it seemed appropriate that this summertime edition of the Review should feature some horticultural gems and tips.

Herbalists have long used native plants and flowers for medicinal purposes, yet their application is often complex, confusing and surrounded by superstition.

For instance, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has an odd reputation. Also known as 'the Devil's plaything', it is a key ingredient in many spells and charms and was revered in the past as a holy plant. It stops bleeding and lowers fevers, and a bunch tied to a baby's cradle will repel witches and bad luck. Yet it is still sometimes regarded with some unease. Although believed to be an excellent medicine, it is also thought unlucky in certain circumstances. Unique to Sussex is the belief that it should not be planted on a young man's grave for fear of giving him unquiet dreams and not allowing the dead to rest.

Sussex is the home of the bee-orchid (Ophrys apifera), one of the oddest members of an eccentric plant family. Not only do the orchid's flowers cunningly disguise themselves as bees, but they also secrete a smell that resembles natural bee pheromones strongly enough to confuse the - usually discriminating - insects. Failed attempts to mate with the flowers lead to the male bees departing disappointed, but coated with pollen - all the better to fertilise the next bee-orchid that attracts them.

It is a popular belief that the greengage has enduring connections with East Sussex. In case any of the county's inhabitants are tempted to plant plum trees as a patriotic act, I feel I should try to correct a much propounded misapprehension. It is often cited that this tasty plum was introduced into England by the Gage family of Firle. However, current thinking supports the theory that the first French 'Reine Claude' plum trees to arrive in England were actually destined for Sir Thomas Gage's residence at Hengrave Hall, Suffolk and not to Sussex at all. En route from France, the labels became detached from the trees and Sir Thomas's gardener relabelled them 'Green Gage'. Similarly the popular 'Victoria' plum is said to be a chance seedling originally found in a garden at Alderton in Sussex, yet no such village exists in the county. Such is the stuff that myths are made of! If you want to plant fruit trees of true Sussex origin then why not try varieties such as the apples 'Alfriston', 'Crawley Beauty' and the 'Wadhurst Pippin'?

I have already ordered my 'Alfriston' apple tree for planting this autumn from Keepers Nursery at Maidstone in Kent. As it is self fertile it needs a pollinator and their website helpfully lists many varieties that will do the trick. However, continuing the local theme, I thought my companion tree should also hail from Sussex. I could have chosen that most delicious apple the 'Egremont Russet' (bred in the 1870s at Petworth for Lord Egremont) but have instead gone for 'Sussex Mother'. This delightful sounding apple is 'sweet with a distinctive spicy flavour and a hint of aniseed.' If you too would like to keep these old Sussex fruit varieties alive and flourishing then why not visit www.keepers-nursery.co.uk or telephone 01622 726465 for more information.

Fun Days Out

Author Susan Jamieson gives us some timely suggestions for fabulous trips out in Sussex to be enjoyed over the summer months. Read more in Old-Fashioned Family Days Out in Sussex.

After such a harsh and prolonged winter my family feels the need to rekindle a sense of adventure and make an effort to explore our wonderful county of Sussex. Volcanic ash won't prevent us making the most of longer evenings and (hopefully) warmer days.

I know it can seem quite an effort to make preparations for an outing, but Old-Fashioned Family Days Out in Sussex can help, with check lists and suggestions. Join forces with friends and share the costs, picnics and transport, and benefit from genial company too.

For the very young and old easy access is a consideration, while older children appreciate a frisson of danger and mystery. The point is, I think, to find ways of being together on outings without needing to spend a fortune on ready made entertainments. Activity not passivity!!

So, how about setting off to find a wild wood, insects scurry off when young hands lift a fallen log, where care has to be taken to avoid nettles, styles need to be climbed and there is endless space to dash about.

My daughter is always keen to go down to the sea. We are fortunate in Sussex to have such a varied and beautiful coastline. Gina says Camber Sands is a dream beach on a sunny day, Rottingdean is perfect for rockpooling and Brighton is great for 'people watching'! My son particularly loves Chanctonbury Ring, he thinks it has a slightly spooky atmosphere (read some of the legends in the book), and there are somewhat risky swing ropes on the way up through the woods.

We have a dear friend of 96, who while no longer able to walk far, still loves to be driven through the beautiful Sussex scenery, and has just enjoyed a visit to look at the bluebells in Friston Forest. Inspired, she hopes to paint them at her art class in the coming weeks.  There really is something for everyone  if we make an effort to make our own adventures.

Old-Fashioned Family Days Out in Sussex has many suggestions to inspire all ages to go out into the countryside or down to the coast. I recently read that trees and woodlands have been shown to have a calming and restorative effect, and are good for our health. A simple picnic tastes delicious  after a few hours of fresh air and if  you still have energy to burn, Sussex has a tremendous range of  exciting museums which also are usually free, so there is no excuse, go now and explore Sussex!

Snake River Press Authors and Artists in the News

We are always pleased to report on the doings of our authors and illustrators and like to keep you up-to-date with their successes. Here is a round up of what's been happening in recent months.

BBC Audio recently released the third successful series of the Adventures of Inspector Steine by Lynne Truss (who wrote the entertaining and informative introduction to A Dictionary of Sussex Dialect). The series is a particular pleasure for lovers of Sussex as it is set in Brighton. Lynne's riotous account of the four years she spent as a sports writer, Get Her Off the Pitch, is just out in paperback, published by Fourth Estate. Both are highly recommended.

Those planning to visit gardens at home and abroad this summer should not step forth without a copy of How to Read Gardens by Lorraine Harrison (author of 20 Sussex Gardens and Inspiring Sussex Gardeners). Published by Herbert and subtitled 'A crash course in garden appreciation,' this handy book covers everything from landscape gardens to crinkle-crankle walls.

Following his masterly exploration of the county's history in The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape, Peter Brandon publishes a new book with a Sussex theme this summer. Entitled Discovering Sussex, it poses the interesting question of why so many people have been attracted to the county.

Curtis Tappenden's lively illustrations grace the pages of several of our titles, including An Eccentric Tour of Sussex and Salacious Sussex. As usual he had a busy Brighton Festival, showing his work as part of the Brighton Artists' Open Houses as well as appearing as one of several artists in residence at the Residence Restaurant. As diners ate the artists painted them and the resulting masterpieces were exhibited then auctioned. Curtis is a man of many talents, if you get a chance to catch one of his one-man shows you will see him combine a live demonstration of watercolour techniques mixed with performance poetry and amusing anecdotes.

If you are down in the west country you can see Barbara Child's printmaking talents on display in an exhibition at the Birdwood House Gallery, Totnes, Devon from 7th-12th June. Her delightful wood engravings appear in Bloomsbury in Sussex.

Printmaker Hugh Ribbans (Sussex Wildlife) is busy designing a series of linocuts for the Powell Cotton Museum in Birchington, Kent. His A-Z alphabet is inspired by their collection of African animals and craft objects.

Those who live in and around Battle should look out for forthcoming events organised by the newly-formed Battle Arts group. Illustrator Joanna Kerr (Good Food & Drink in Sussex) is among those who will be promoting an Art Trail through the town in 2011.

Marcus Weeks (author of Sussex Music) has been as busy as ever and his upcoming titles include How Many Elephants in a Blue Whale (Puzzlewright), Fiendish Word Puzzles (published by Ivy Press and compiled by his alter ego Nicholas D Satan) and Philosophy: A Book of Ideas (Dorling Kindersley).

A topical title has just been published by Book House, The World Cup, A Very Peculiar History by David Arscott (who wrote A Tour Along the Sussex Coast) is sure to be a winner. Closer to home his Sussex Pub Quiz Book (Pomegranate Press) will give all pub quiz enthusiasts a head start!

Win a Snake River Press book!

If you can correctly answer the five questions and are the first to email your answers to editorial@snakeriverpress.co.uk you can win a copy of your favourite Snake River title. Be sure to include your name and address and the title of your choice.

If you are not lucky this time do visit the website on or around the first of each month as we will be running a monthly competition.

1. Which gallery houses the art collection of Walter Hussey, former Dean of Chichester?

2. Which Sussex village is host to the World's Marble Championship?

3. Which Sussex town is Tom Paine associated with?

4. Is the most famous local dessert known as Pond Pudding or River Roly Poly?

5. Who wrote the county's anthem 'Sussex by the Sea'?