NEW Lindfield history book

Life in Lindfield history book

Following more than seven years working in partnership with Lindfield History Project Group, Lindfield Life has published a series of articles which depict the previous eras of Lindfield. 

With the support of keen local historian Richard Bryant, the idea was to bring together all the previously published articles from the magazine, into one place. The book – Life in Lindfield – was launched at Lindfield Village Day on Saturday 1st June 2024, with profits from the limited first print run going to registered charity King Edward Hall. 

However, after selling out, a second edition is now in print…

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The second edition of Life in Lindfield is now available to buy online, direct from Lindfield Life only.

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Editor David Tingley explained: “It has been a real privilege to work with Lindfield History Project Group, and in particular with Richard, over the years. His gathered knowledge means that he is my go-to person for any question relating to this village’s rich history! 

“I am delighted the group has agreed to let these articles be re-published, as I know when we publish content of this nature – many readers are ready to consume it. Having them all in one place, will be a fantastic and new resource for those history-hungry Lindfield enthusiasts!”

The 130-page book will include over 60 articles from Lindfield Life, some of which have been updated since original publication.

The history of Humphrey's Bakery in Lindfield

Humphrey’s Bakery, Lindfield - Richard Humphrey outside his shop

By Richard Bryant with Janet Bishop and John Mills, Lindfield History Project Group

The August local history article in Lindfield Life explained that the Common and Pond uniquely defined Lindfield and challenged that similar features could not be identified elsewhere in the country. It would be remiss not to pay tribute to another Lindfield icon, Humphrey’s Bakery, about which a similar claim could be made. Namely, does any other community have a bakery that traded continuously from the same premises for 223 years?

At 65 High Street, Humphrey’s shop front proudly proclaims the bakery was ‘Established 1796’. Perhaps equally remarkable, it has been run by only three families since that date. Having regard to the bakery’s history, it is appropriately located in one of Lindfield’s oldest medieval buildings; Humphrey’s, Bower House and Carriers were all constructed between 1300 and 1343. Its age is evidenced by the massive arched timber framing on the building’s northern side, into which, rather quirkily, three tiny windows have been cut.

When viewed from the street it will be seen that Humphrey’s shop is the cross wing of No 63 High Street, known as Wyncote. This is also of medieval date, although its age is not apparent having been re-fronted.

The early history of the building is yet to be fully discovered. However, a receipt document dated 1453, found during redecoration in the late 1940s, states the property was then occupied by ‘Thomas atte Ree’, probably a farmer.

He was paying rent of seven marks per quarter to his Lord of the Manor, the Dean of the College of Canons, South Malling. A mark was a unit of currency with a value of about 67p.

Returning to the bakery business, John Meads (1759–1826), a baker, first appeared in Lindfield parish records in December 1791, when with his wife, Ann, their daughter, Mary Ann, was baptised at the parish church.

In 1793, he took on a William Murrell as his apprentice. John Meads appears again in the Poor Rate records as a ratepayer from 1797 at Humphrey’s, which he rented from Thomas Blaker, a cordwainer. Accordingly, the claim that the bakery business at 65 High Street was established in 1796 is fully justified.

[An excerpt from the full article printed in Lindfield Life, October 2019]