About

The Wadhurst History Society is a registered charity and was founded in the autumn of 2003 by the late Dr. Michael Harte. Following the huge success of the celebrations in the summer of that year to mark the the grant of the Charter to Wadhurst in 1253 he concluded that there was an enormous latent interest in local history. He was proved to be correct when within eighteen months the membership of the Society passed two hundred and thirty.

It has continued to thrive and has recently opened the Wadhurst History Centre within which the Tabard Room houses an extensive library of local, national and international history, meticulously referenced records of Wadhurst’s past and includes the Stan Cosham, the Bocking and Neil Rose collections which supplement the Society’s own ever growing records. The adjacent Michael Harte Room is equipped with modern internet connected computers, printers and scanners to further assist the researcher.

The Society runs a series of monthly talks which are generally, but not exclusively, focused on local history and it is famous for its annual party which normally takes place in the grounds of an historic Wadhurst house in late July or early August. Guests are welcome at all our events.

It has a number of Task Groups which research specific areas of our history and the results of the research are brought together and published from time to time in book form. At present research is focused on a large mansion called South Park which subsequently became Wadhurst College.

Should you wish to join the Wadhurst History Society you can do so at any of our monthly meetings. Alternatively please complete this Membership Application Form and send it to the Treasurer (details on form) together with a cheque for the appropriate subscription.

Wadhurst History Society, Commemoration Hall, High Street, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 6AP