Sussex Archaeological Collections 129

A watching brief maintained during the re-roofing of the nave of St Nicholas Church, Worth, in 1987- 88, revealed further evidence concerning the structure of this Anglo-Saxon, former minster, church.

Topsoil stripping un covered traces of a medieval aisled hall. Subsequent excavation allowed the identification of three periods of construction. The timber hall was first built in the I 3th century. The walls were subsequently replaced in stone, probably in the I 4th century . Later, the building was extended to the south, perhaps to incorporate a cross-wing. The building is identified as part of the Robertsbridge Abbey grange of Park. Traces of earlier activity beneath the hall are associated with the Domesday vill of Drisnesel.

Trial excavations in 1987 and 1988 to the north of St Thomas a Becket Church, Cliffe revealed large deposits of compacted chalk. Dating evidence from some of these deposits indicates that they were laid down during the 13th/ 14th century. Other discoveries included a number of rubbish pits/deposits, one of which yielded some interesting inscribed stoneware tankards.

Members of the widely extended Sussex family of Ridge were prominent in the affairs of the congregation of Westgate Chapel, Lewes from the late 17th century until the 1870s. This article examines the part the Ridges (as trustees and principal subscribers) played in the life of the chapel and the part that it (as meeting-house and social centre) played in theirs. Jn the belief that religious developments are best studied in their wider political, social and economic context some attempt is also made to find out how far the family's Nonconformist principles affected their everyday lives. Contrary to the popular view, which associates Nonconformity with urban trade and industry, most of the Ridges were farmers and a few were landlords rich enough to live off their rents. But they all lived unostentatiously. They seem to have exhibited the 'plain living and high thinking' characteristic of the old English Presbyterians. Some of them were well read in theology and philosophy, and one of them founded the first Lewes library. A number took an active part in public affairs, serving as constables, overseers of the poor, tax assessors and ( in one instance) as an inspector of militia. All members of the family who were worshipping at Westgate when Thomas Walker Horsfield was minister probably supported his liberal stance in political matters. Jn one way or another the Ridges made a significant contribution to the social and religious life of their locality over a period of two centuries.

A Palaeolithic Handaxe, from Atherington, West Sussex; A Sussex Loop from Patching, West Sussex; Archaeological Discoveries at Toddington, West Sussex; Two Iron Age silver coins found in East Sussex; Roman Remains at Angmering, West Sussex; Three Saxon Pennies found in Sussex; Pipe-like Objects from Bloomery Sites; Anderida: not the Roman name of Pevensey; An 'Image of Lust' on Steyning Church?; Gun-casting pits; The lost street-name Bukettwin, Lewes; Chichester's Civil War Scars; The Victorian Boarding School in a suburb of an English seaside resort.