Sussex Reports
Review of Lewes by "Rondo" Frederick R. Gage on May 19th, 2007
I am an American descendant of Sir John Gage and had the pleasure of visiting my ancestral home June of 2006. Lord Gage, my cousin spent 45 minutes having lunch with me and it will always remain as one of the most special moments of my life. My family found out about our 500 years history in 1997 so I grew unaware. When I toured europe with "America's Youth In Concert" we toured both "The Tower of London" and "Winsor Castle" not knowing my ancestral connection to them both. Please visit Peter and Penny Woolgar, they are wonderful people and great caretakers of my families history and home!!!! Also attend a sermon at Gage Chapel with Pastor Peter. I hope to return to Firle Place again very soon!!! "Rondo"
Review of Lewes by Peter on March 28th, 2006
Lying above Brighton, and a good deal older than its famous neighbour, Lewes [with its Norman castle beautifully bathed in light every night..why on earth do they not do this at Arundel?) is as historic, as it is charming. Much to see and do here, with a wonderful shopping centre as well. The haunting Cluniac Priory ruins are a sad relic of royal politics, and once yeilded a remarkable find in the shape of its founders [William and Gundulph de Warenne] being 'unearthed' when Victorian builders stumbled upon their coffins, while digging the new railway line in 1865. The Priory was a HUGE foundation, and the new railway line was rather scandalously cut right through the once extensive ruins. Visit the famous 14th Century building that is today a charming bookshop sitting atop narrow Keere St, where legend would have it that the Prince Regent wrecklessly drove his carriage down..for a bet [!], & don't miss the lovely Elizabethan Southover House, constructed out of the Priory ruins. Its lovely gardens benefitted too, with lovely decorated Norman stonework to be seen hither and thither..
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